A Day in the Life of a Singer/Songwriter

[@MarySpender]

Well two productive days - If you want to be the first to know about the release date of the new record then sign up to my newsletter: www.maryspender.com/newsletter

[@calcariachimera]

Awesome video, you make me feel good, I think your becoming my happy place! Great video!!!!

[@DazzleRebel]

Hi Mary, this is a genuine question as I'd like to know the thought process behind it. Sorry if it comes over any differently but, here it goes. As someone who struggles to find the money for studio time, I am wondering why I'd spend time in a studio with unfinished tracks instead of recording them at home and working on them there. Is it because you get the feedback of a producer (another cost), the experience of an engineer or something else? I don't mean to sound negative, it's just that I'd like to know what an artist would get out of spending money on studio time for unfinished tracks. I hope that you can shed some light on that part of the creative process. Thank you, I've been watching your videos for a few months now and I'm enjoying them a lot.

[@calcariachimera]

@@DazzleRebel Hi mate, I could be wrong but nine times out of ten its having another professional look at your talent with different eyes, a producers jobs is to see the skill of a player and enhance it. Also its just having someone else create ideas around your talent as an outsider listening in for the first time, things that you'd probably never of thought of, things that spark new ideas that develop you into a better musician and a better performer :)

[@rysopis]

Hi, from pasta, carbs....bread, you gonna get more kg, Try one day if you want of course scrambled eggs with 3-4 yolks and one egg white with not much bread and real butter. This will give you more mental energy, and you will be satiated for hours ( I mean hunger) less carbohydrates = less kilos and more purity of mind. Sugar = carbohydrates = more weight = stupidity = health problems. We are drawn to sugar / sweets by candida mushrooms. To get rid of them you can buy caprylic acid or drink hot water with baking soda (3/4 teaspoon per cup, 40 minutes between meals) as you get rid of candida your sugar / carbohydrate cravings will drop. Frying with vegetable fats is harmful to the liver (poisonous). Fry only in lard or in coconut butter or plain butter (real butter at lower temperature. Animal and vegetable fats should be taken together with vegetable fats but vegetable fats only in cold form for ex. . olive oil with salad. Check liver cleansing using Dr. Clark method - best way to help anyone with health issues. To clean properly you have to see cholesterol stones going out during cleaning process. Some people see after second cleaning. When it goes out after 4- days you gonna feel amaizing and you get boost like never before. Really I highly recommend it to everyone, I got rid of many health problems. it is also worth cleaning the kidneys with parsley juices or I will brew rosehip tea, ( translate and check out this page, but liver cleansing I recommend the methods of dr. clark from canada - swiadomosc-ziemi.org/oczyszczanie-organizmu-wg-michala-tombaka/ Greet and huge respect for your commitment to playing guitar and passion. I write these advice from the heart. They save health and future life. regeneration of the body is best through hyperbaric / normobaric chambers and supplementation and fasting. The Korean won the Nobel Prize for a one-day fast once a week discovering, I mean for proving its health benefits you can find on google. After/during cleaning the liver you can feel like a shit..4 of fifth day you gonna feel like a teenager if the stones come out of you. Regards

[@kumarirajkumar910]

What type of Martin do you play

[@simcoespring]

The crazy thing about being a creator, and what I've experienced, is that when you put 20-30 minutes worth of effort into something it can get 13 million views, and the one you put 40 hours of heart and soul into gets 1300 views. You never know what people will like....you literally just have to record it, show it to friends/family or the internet and see what happens. Love the content, keep creating, and I'll keep watching, listening and loving.

[@simcoespring]

@@enzo_armani one of her best songs is probably the ones she spent the least amount of time thinking about. I just cant wait to hear them.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

It was a pleasant surprise to see you recording at Electric 😃

[@edmundpotrzeba6094]

Loved the church song , a wonderful start ❤️

[@martinfrog768]

I love how honest you are with yourself without being to self critical ... songs and songwriting is more about the journey than the destination ...

[@SimplyAubs]

Thanks for taking us on a little tour behind the scenes! I LOVE how you insist and “just get them out” then maybe rework them later! Well done, my friend! It’s very *encouraging* to me! 😁

[@Prusyakish]

The song that starts at 6:50... hot daaamn! can't wait to hear the full version.

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

A Peek into your day is amazing. Mary! So interesting. Thank You!

[@adamgarver3516]

Thanks for these behind the scenes bits. Really great seeing the process. Also, patiently waiting for John Mayer to take one of these snippets and finish it. Would be great to see what he would do with one of your songs!

[@heldenby]

It takes me a day to stretch out new strings into a "steady state" - so changing strings at the recording studio is brave!

[@StockportJambo]

And only one set... even braver.

[@678tucker]

@@StockportJambo Then you sir are not a musician

[@StockportJambo]

@@678tucker Never claimed to be, but not sure why you'd make that assumption. Guaranteed if you only bring one set of strings to change, the top E will snap. If you've never been there, you sir are not a musician either.

[@678tucker]

@@StockportJambo Sir, just made a simple comment.. I’ve been a musician for 48 years..

[@StockportJambo]

@@678tucker I don't believe you. It's just a simple comment...

[@dianegoode3815]

loved the lyric "there's a church down the hill from me - there's a church up the hill from you...we can both hear it calling me to worship you" (sorry for probably misquoting) a WOW lyric a whoompf emotional response

[@SyTheSoundman]

I absolutely adore that riff you play at 7.18. It gives me musical goosebumps. I could hear that all day long.

[@Darrenowsley]

ya right you too

[@JohnnyBeegood1]

Love that guitar riff on the Church Bell song. And when your sound engineer says "Ehhh, no bad", you know you have a solid take. LOL

[@calcariachimera]

Your awesome skills give me the confidence to try and start singing again, at the moment I'm in and out of hospital with my stupid ears but hopefully one day soon I can start singing and writing again, I just produce music when I can, fingers crossed one day my ears get fixed, man you rock an acoustic guitar, love your vocal style and tone!!!!

[@JimG27]

Loved this video Mary!!

[@yifei_feith]

I'm a singer-songwriter, keyboardist and music arranger, feel so related. Love your honesty, your content and your music!💫

[@darrylv.5400]

It's very cool and interesting to see your process and how you get things done. Love this content - thanks for sharing it and please keep it coming!

[@StephenLyonsMusic]

Thank you for the inspiration Mary, another wonderful insight into your process.

[@scottfrommaryland7658]

Some song writers (Foo Fighters) swear that switching up instruments to what you don't normally play helps you out of falling into a rut. Keith Urban writes to a drum machine. lyrical Lines from TV, radio, newspaper (Day in the Life) or conversation in an appliance store (Money for nothing). Let it Be was from Paul McCartney's dream. Change of venue, language, it goes on and on.

[@calcariachimera]

5:46 just perfect vocal skills!!!!

[@stu-j]

Great stuff Mary your always on on my house and in my car! Ilove the feel of your music and your lyrics are beautiful as are you!

[@DethronerX]

Where are you going, Camping? : D I guess this is what it exactly looks like when you're going to the studio. Can't wait to hear your work!

[@cole3053]

You're a great songwriter. Your guitar playing has gotten unfathomably better.

[@rayofsmiles6921]

We need more of these Mary! It's so amazing to get an insight into your process and day to day creations :)

[@paulmdevenney]

Mary - do you always record guitar and vocals together? I can see how it gets the best coherent feeling, but I can't imagine giving my best focus to either if trying to do the other! I love your process of "saving up" songs from inspiration times, for the times when you are not inspired.

[@f.e.1952]

Wow Mary, didn't expect to see you again today after seeing you yesterday. Nice one love, keep up the good work. x

[@addisonglic]

This was really insightful! Thank you!

[@Salehalanazi-7]

That's such an interesting point of view Thanks for sharking Mary

[@juliebrammer]

Mary Spender, you are splendid !!! 🙏❤️🌞

[@maddys3955]

It was great to see this side of your creative process! And to hear your approach to song writing. Thank you for sharing.

[@hustonbop]

No greater high than finishing a recording session and knowing that you nailed it 😎

[@bradsimpson7369]

Congrats on discovering the iPad for writing and storing music. We use them in our band too. Songwriter for writing and Songbook to store our music on and do setlists with. Your Martin sounds wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed your songs! Keep on being creative! Cheers!

[@iankristofer1]

The lyric at 7:18 is so so so good!

[@JustinGuitarTime]

Good morning, Mary! Love you and what you do, keep up the hard work! You show that it definitely pays off 😁 Thank you

[@iliana_b]

excellent Mary!

[@mikestibor1]

Would really love to see more of how you’ve implemented Notion into your writing process.

[@kmp321]

Beautiful soul

[@MegaSuperjavier]

WHAT?? I'M USING NOTION TOO FOR MUSIC!!! WHAT!!! that's awesome! have you considered doing a video on "notion for musicians"? 👀

[@MildExplosion]

I'd watch that!

[@On_The_Mark]

I enjoy your singing and playing, but your speaking voice is also lovely.

[@IsaiahManningActual]

Dang! You’ve got some wicked vibrato there. I really dig it!

[@designworksnw]

Its late Friday night on January 20th and I love to listen to new music so I stay up late and listen to new music. I heard your guitar playing first....then i heard your voice and then.... I heard your voice without music and the guitar. Listening to you tell me about your day from morning to bed bedtime....Simply said, Your amazing even if you don't realize you are. :} I'm cheering for you and I have a ton of money.

[@peteryoung9991]

Mary, I look forward to the future clip when you show how you will integrate your new Ableton Push in to your life-setup (as usually your band plays those parts?). I have all the equipment too but have no idea how to use it as my "band" when performing.

[@zionnoel]

I love how you express and explain . . . truly, abstract and moody like an artist. :)

[@frankliuzza]

You mentioned church bells in one of the new songs you were recording. It made me think of when you stopped to hear church bells in the distance while in the middle of your John Mayhall KZbin video.

[@AwayWithWordsMusic]

I really like that syncopated thing you've got going with your right hand. Since I've been catching your videos, I've noticed an evolution there.

[@mauropatrile2272]

la pasta fatta come si deve!!Brava

[@koketjomagagane]

HEY ,I LOVE WHAT YOU DO , IT''S SO INSPIRTIONAL HOW YOU ISTEN TO YOUR DEMOS FOR FUN AS A DAY TO DAY LISTEN . YOU ARE SO GREAT .I LOVE THE CONTENT,KEEP CREATING AND I WILLSTILL BE WATCHING ,LISTENING AND LOVING

[@stephenhawk8384]

How often do you get to see a legitimate “squirrel” moment featuring actual squirrels? As always, a wonderful video with such marvelous style and production values. It must be so thrilling to go into a studio and know that you truly belong there. Can’t wait for the finished product.

[@adrianbloommusic]

Such an inspiring way how to spend a day :) just subbed to you channel.

[@chrispalacios_18]

You inspire me.

[@VaderBrasil]

Babe go for it, you are great! Greetings from Brazil!

[@PianoMatronNeeNee]

This is great! I’m a songwriter. Thanks for sharing.

[@eclipseavatar]

John Benavides: I did watch and enjoyed ☺ I'm very happy to help in my small was.

[@MarySpender]

Thanks John!

[@robertgoyette5863]

even playing on a phone in a kitchen your music sounds incredible! haha

[@stevenpetranyi2902]

That's very good Mary

[@moondrums]

Such a fun video.."not bad...not bad" haha. Love that. Looking forward to hear the finals of your tunes.

[@RachelKCollierRKC]

💜💜💜💜

[@BrodyMcCain]

I like Mary Spender.

[@akadvybez2696]

thanks for sharing

[@dalleenpente]

Dear Mary, nice

[@isaacanderson2154]

Thanks

[@elepha3]

Really enjoyed this video…I’m always interested how other musicians work things out…really cool

[@mjohns908]

The moment at 7:00 definitely has some Dope Lemon vibes. I love it.

[@pepe_raina3877]

"Today is going to be a good day. And the sun is shining." - Only someone would in the UK could say this.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

So true. I live in south Florida and when the sun is shining I say "oh no another freaking scorcher".

[@gemmakguitar]

I really enjoyed this video, a good insight. I'm rather envious I have to admit. I dream to get in a studio and actually record some of my songs. Maybe one day!

[@redlemon80]

Nice style

[@at68250]

I love Song Writing to When I Was 15 I Was Not good but I love Every minute of it Every Song ideal That I Come Up With :-)

[@palidiciovermingagurainia1760]

Oh Mary! Just like you ! I practice acoustic in the morning! We could share an acoustic every morning! One less tree would have to be sacrificed and we would have both practiced for the day! In the meantime l’ll just play my 59$ Rouge ( love that guitar- sounds 🐋 ) until we share that Martin!

[@habsom1406]

That meal looked delicious! Could listen to you speak all day Mary, there are elements of your speaking voice, the rise and fall and intonation that are very enchanting and draw the listener in, but they don't always transpose over into your singing which is still lovely btw. I can hear definite evolution and progression and the taster of the song at 6.52 hints that it's going to be a real corker.

[@Darrenowsley]

yes I agree I really get hooked in

[@kabelomaloka1400]

I really like that Unkept Secret song. Really good.

[@nickfletcher4132]

I really enjoyed this episode. I can relate much to your writing experience. Although I'm not as tech savvy as you probably. Mary, I often hear a phrase or read a line/sentence that I would love to use in a song/written piece and the work towards finding/struggling to fit the phrase in somewhere. Sometimes it can be just a word that I have to find a place for in a line, in a song.

[@snakehips81]

Essential gear list - Raybans - ha ha !!! Absolutely !!! Powered screwdriver/stringwinder device so useful when you own multiple guitars. Totally !!

[@alexo5861]

Mary 6:50 that’s very Mark Knophler. Sorry I do not know the title, but is sounds amazing.

[@psa110]

Mary, when watching you in the studio playing back the tracks, this thought occurred to me. You know how most people don't like hearing their recorded voice because it sounds so different than what they are used to hearing when speaking. I would guess it is the same listening to one's voice in song. Nevertheless, I am sure you are used to hearing your voice (both in song and just spoken) now. But what was it like when you first listened to your recordings? And now, when you listen to a take and you want to redo it to make an adjustment on how you sound, what is it like to actually do it? Do have to "translate" (???) in your mind what you hear when singing in order to produce the sound you wanted to change in the recording? Or are you so used to doing it that you when you hear your voice as you sing do you also hear the sound of the recorded voice? Maybe you can make a short video on that aspect of being a singer. Or you could just say no to that and it is too long of answer to reply to here.

[@timchalmers1700]

Thanks for a look behind the music. And yes, there's nothing wrong with letting a song simmer. We've all heard stories about a song that took a year or ten.

[@joewilliams5396]

Yeah this was a hit for me.

[@L.Scott_Music]

It's good that you get them down. For me I get to a point where I have so many songs written but not recorded that I get overwhelmed and don't want to write more to add to the pile of unrecorded songs. However, I still write but only when I must because the muse is pushing hard.

[@DrewRichmond]

you’re awesome :)

[@bryantwalley]

9:45 Never judge your own music. Put the songs out and let them go. Many hits came from songs the artist hated.

[@ViktorZin]

notion is truly the best

[@adi-yf3vs]

The title tells me Ali's had an influence on you lol

[@MarySpender]

Very true hahahaha - if only everyday were as productive

[@mattomon1045]

i like this

[@cmcg5788]

Thanks for sharing this behind the scenes look at your process. One question: How do you plan on using these recordings? As part of a new release(s) cycle; or to archive works in progress/"scratch tracks" (as it were)? I'm just thinking of the cost to go to a studio as opposed to using in-home gear.

[@borntoblues2977]

🔥🔥

[@abominablemusic]

super interesting video, one question: when a song just isn't 'working', do you bin it or try and rework it? Say, keep the intro but work it into a new song for example. I'm interested to know how ruthless you are with the music you create. Cheers!

[@MusicCatElliott]

Hey Mary! I'm a newcomer. Love your channel!! I found you through Rick Beato 😃 I am curious... being super independent do you also record at home? I try to do everything myself, but perhaps I'm missing something important by not hiring a studio for music I plan to release 🤔 What are your thoughts?

[@harryzwaig6378]

Good ol’ studio 1 at BE. Saw Robert Smith have a diva moment in that room!

[@richadams7121]

Mary, what "Inspires you" musically? I seem to be "moved by something my guitar or my flute resonates in some secret place between my heart and my mind.

[@rrrosecarbinela]

Keep going. Sometimes you have to give the songs time to gestate. :) They will grow in due time.

[@juanpabloelias1884]

Bom dia Mary.

[@MarySpender]

Bom dia Juan!!!

[@MarkAllentheProducer]

Brighton Electric Studios - For all those wondering where this is.

[@RatOnTheeInternet]

All I thought when I saw the recording studio was LoveJoy recording the EP at 2:26

[@AwayWithWordsMusic]

Just curious. Since you're doing essentially "live takes" with no further instrumentation, why did you choose to record in a commercial studio when you could probably achieve this in your own studio?

[@victorparedes4863]

Hello Mary. Why don't you get a nice work bench (topped with carpet) to work on your guitars?

[@mcrawfs]

Hey Mary, why did you choose to go to a studio to do these recordings over getting down these ideas in a similar fashion in your home studio instead?

[@bobconaway]

OK, so...amateur here. I know nothing about how music/sound/recording studios work, what are the economics? Is there a per-hour fee? Staff costs? Overhead? And the process to go from your ideas to a published production. Is any of this worth a video? Thanks Mary.

[@Jason-cm6uh]

FYI. Studios average $50 - $200 per hr. You get what you pay for in regards to quality of equipment and staff. Sometimes mixing is extra

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

@@Jason-cm6uh Don't forget mastering... but you don't always need it if the final mix is good and not going to air play.

[@Chygunachnik]

4:21 - that sounded kinda surprising and scary.

[@williama-d6]

I have only written three songs on my guitar but yeah I like to try and play chords and work something out first

[@tmeyer2022]

In this video, you spoke of an online service you use for music scores and lyrics. Try as much as I can, I either can't hear the name of the online service, or simply cannot understand the name of it. Could you perhaps give us the link? Help, please.

[@PhillieCheezeKC]

Hi Mary, this question is not about guitar, but what did you use to hang your bike? I need something like that for my apt. Thanks!

[@chrisrobson2203]

How do you get your songs down? How do you utilize your ipad in this process?