BIO
Mary Spender is the true 21st Century Musician, one who promotes a DIY mentality to independently write, record and release her music to a community of fans all over the world.
Mary has amassed over 88 million views on her YouTube channel with over 725k subscribers watching her weekly videos, where she shares her thoughts on the music industry’s past, present and future, interviews prominent artists, and demonstrates the very best in guitars and gear.
Mary’s fans are incredibly supportive of her work and allow her to fund recording and releasing her music as an independent artist – no label, no middlemen, just her and her true fans. Because doing it yourself doesn’t mean doing it alone.
Seeking to build a community of like-minded musicians following the DIY route, she’s launched The 21st Century Musician newsletter to share knowledge and lessons from her career to date.
Her sultry, jazz influenced voice, confessional lyrics, and intricate fingerstyle guitar technique give her a unique style, one that combines elements of Blues, Rock, Folk and Americana into a timeless sound.
In late 2019, Mary released her ‘Lone Wolf’ EP which she then toured around Europe supporting The Brothers Landreth, finishing with a full band headline show in London.
In March 2021 she wrote, recorded and released John Mayer’s new track ‘Last Train Home’ before he did, responding to a snippet he released on Instagram. The video went viral and caught the attention of Mayer himself, who invited Mary to hear the finished track before anyone else.
In 2022 she released ‘Songbook Volumes 1 & 2’, a double album of new material funded by fans through Patreon and performed sold-out shows in London and Bristol.
In 2023 she released her debut studio album, ‘Super. Sexy. Heartbreak.’ in CD, Vinyl and digital formats. Taking a stand against miniscule artist compensation, and seeking to recapture some of the value in music again, Mary chose to prioritise the physical release. She’s releasing it track-by-track on streaming services each month, with the full album available in July 2024.
Recorded in Barcelona with her producer Pau Romero, with Aaron Sterling on drums (John Mayer, Regina Spektor), Sean Hurley on bass (Lana Del Rey, Gwen Stefani), and a slide-guitar contribution from modern-day guitar hero Ariel Posen on one track, it’s the record she’s always wanted to make. Mary embarks on a UK headline tour in Fall 2024.
PAST PRESS
Guitar World/Guitarist Magazine (Words by Jamie Dickson & David Mead)
“She’s one of the most dynamic, expressive young British singer-songwriters working today - and also just happens to have an army of fans for her YouTube musings on guitar culture… Mary Spender is among the most successful of a new generation of musicians who blend music-making with shrewd, engaging commentary - sharing both with 200,000 fans via YouTube. Blending aspects of Joni Mitchell’s confessional songwriting style with a harmonically rich, percussive style on the electric guitar that’s bolder and more contemporary, she’s a galvanic and richly emotive player.”
The 8 best online guitar personalities in the world today
“British YouTuber Mary Spender’s channel is a vibrant mixture of covers, gear demos and soulful, blues-y folk rock originals that evoke the likes of Jeff Buckley. Her technique (on guitar and vocal) is impressive, yet her videos – whether exploring the quietest room on earth, or struggling to nail John Mayer’s Georgia – are unassuming, funny and super encouraging.”
“With a powerful voice and distinctive electric guitar style, the Vigier-toting UK songwriter has conquered YouTube, played Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe, and played with a host of big-name acts along the way. Now, as she embarks on her first headline UK tour, she tells us about the secrets behind her unconventional success…