Harvest Profile – Brittney Spencer
By Adam Bowie
If you see Brittney Spencer in Fredericton tonight, don’t forget to wish her Happy Birthday. The Baltimore, Maryland native will take the stage at this year’s Harvest Music Festival on Wednesday evening in the Blues Tent just a few days after her 35th birthday.
It’s an exciting time for Spencer, who has been touring the globe this year in support of her debut full-length album, My Stupid Life, and fresh from being named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “25 Artists To Watch,” in 2023. After starting her professional singing career as a backing vocalist for artists like Christopher Cross and Carrie Underwood, Spencer spent a few years slugging it out in the clubs in Nashville, trying to find her place within the city’s competitive music scene.
Then, in 2020, she posted a video of her covering, “Crowded Table,” by The Highwomen on Twitter. That video went viral, and was retweeted by Highwomen album and previous Harvest headliner Amanda Shires. An EP followed, then appearances on some of the biggest stages in country music, including opening slots for Willie Nelson, Reba McIntyre, Bobby Weir, The Highwomen, and fellow Harvester Jason Isbell. Now, she’s ready to bring her soaring vocals and fun-loving stage presence to Fredericton’s Harvest Music Festival.
If you want to buy tickets to join me at this, or any other show, you can find them
here. Until then, you can get to know Brittney a bit better through her answers to the Harvest questionnaire.
AB: Some people have nostalgia for a movie or a TV show they watched as a kid. Can you share a movie or a TV show that was special during your childhood?
BS: Nickelodeon was pretty big in my household. We watched nearly everything they aired. Disney was a big one too. And all the teen rom-coms – like, She’s All That, Love & Basketball, Save The Last Dance, 10 Things I Hate About You. The images are all burned into my head at this point. Lol.
AB: Is there a sport or a sports team that you follow closely? If so, why?
BS: Wherever Lebron goes honestly. Lol. And anything Baltimore. Basketball is my favourite sport to watch. Football is a close second.
AB: What artist are you currently listening to these days? What do you like about them?
BS: I’m listening to lots of John Mayer (always), Victoria Monét, Parker McCollum, Teddy Swims, Caylee Hammack, Billie Eilish, Remi Wolf, Ley Soul, Ashley Monroe, Reyna Roberts, Debbii Dawson, Heavy Quitters and Willow.
AB: Is there a song out there that you consider perfect? For example, I might suggest that George Jone’s “She Thinks I Still Care,” or Al Green’s “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?” are perfect songs because the music, the lyrics, the production on those tracks are just so incredible.
BS: I think, “Whiskey Lullaby,”[by Allison Kraus and Brad Paisley] is a perfect song. The emotion in the storytelling and the melodies move me in a way I can’t really explain. It’s my second favourite song of all time.
AB: What’s one good tip for budding songwriters?
BS: Keep writing, even when it sucks and you can’t figure out what to say yet. Songwriting is a muscle. Resist the temptation to rely on natural talent and songs falling out of the sky. If a lyric makes you feel exposed and naked, you’re probably headed in the right direction.
AB: You’re on vacation with your family and the kitchen is fully stocked. What are you making, and why did you choose that?
BS: An egg-white veggie omelette with cheese, sourdough, side of bacon, blackberries, hot lemon and mint tea with honey. A perfect breakfast in my book. My family would probably just want regular scrambled eggs, turkey bacon and toast. I’m the extra one of the bunch. Lol.
AB: Was there a book, or any other piece of writing, that was influential in your life? Why did that piece have such an impact?
BS: Maya Angelou’s autobiographies made a huge impression on me as a kid. They got me interested in the art of storytelling.
AB: Was there an individual who played a pivotal role in your career, who really helped you take another step as an artist, or in the business? If you could thank them or recognize them publicly, what would you say?
BS: I’d love to thank my publicist, Jaclyn, and her team at Shorefire. Deep down, I think I always hoped to be an ‘it’ girl on TV and on the cover of magazines highlighting my art in a really cool way, and now I am. I think that’s really dope.
AB: Is there anyone, alive or dead, that you’d want to interview, or spend time with, so that you could soak up the wisdom and expertise that they have? Why them?
BS: Loretta Lynn, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé.
AB: Video games – yay or nay? If so, what game is your favourite, and why?
BS: Yay. I’m the kinda girl that probably needs a quick tutorial before I can play. Lol. But if he’s a little patient, me and video games is low-key a big vibe. Haha.
AB: What three things are always in your fridge, or in your pantry?
BS: Liquid Death, some leftover Uber Eats, and a half-eaten box of baby kale that’s about to expire.
AB: Who helped foster your love of music?
BS: My dad. He can sing, too!
AB: What’s your favorite sandwich or wrap?
BS: Grilled cheese. Add tomato soup for extra vibes.
Adam Bowie used to write stories and a weekly music column for the Daily Gleaner
newspaper. He’s also a former juror for the Polaris Music Prize, the Juno Awards,
the East Coast Music Awards and the Music New Brunswick Awards. Now, he works
in communications and volunteers with the Harvest Music Festival.