Andrew Spice Talks New Single, His Voice And More

Canadian music artist Andrew Spice has released his new single ‘High Park’. He chatted to us about the track, his voice and more: 

When did you begin songwriting?

I was about 14. I started piano lessons pretty late – at 13 – because all of the neighbourhood boys were playing sports, which I wasn’t into, and my mother insisted that I needed a hobby. But it wasn’t long after starting to learn the fundamentals that I began making my own songs.

What is your earliest musical memory?

 My parents playing their record collection in the 80s when I was a kid. Whitney Houston, Fine Young Cannibals, Taylor Dayne – I got to hear all of that virtuosity, fun, and excess from early on.

Your new single ‘High Park’ is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind that song?

High Park is a beloved and beautiful park in Toronto. At one point in my life I had a routine of going there with someone, but that relationship later fell apart pretty horribly and in conjunction with several other traumatic events. ‘High Park’ is about how I healed from that by taking my dog for walks there every Monday in the dead of winter. I took my power back by maintaining my connection with the park and combining that with my love for my dog, the latter of which is one of the greatest experiences a person can have, in my opinion.

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

The single was produced by 2-time JUNO nominee Matthew Barber, himself a beloved Canadian singer/songwriter for decades. I went to his shows all the time in the early 2000s, so it was surreal and amazing to end up working with him. He plays drums, so he was very attuned to the rhythm of this project and shook the tambourine on a bunch of songs. We recorded it at Union Sound in Toronto, which has a gorgeous grand piano and a wonderful team of people running the place.

Who wrote the new single?

Me! I write all of my music. My songs all come from a deeply personal place, so I’ve never co-written anything. It could be a fun project in the future, though, so I’d never rule it out.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

The video was directed by Mark Pariselli, one of my close friends and a masterful filmmaker. I’d also like to acknowledge the cinematographer, Andrew Nguyen, who did a wonderful job. You’d have to ask Mark about the full thought process behind the video, but essentially we wanted 3 elements: literal, metaphorical, and performance. So you get to see me walking with my dog Olive in the park, there is a story about what we are doing there, and you also get to see me performing the song at Union where it was recorded. Making this video was incredibly meaningful and full-circle in numerous ways.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

After a performance I hope that someone in the audience has heard themselves reflected in a song, and has been transported for a few minutes such that they forget about everything else in the world except for my music.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I am pretty simple. 88 keys and something to sing into, and I’m happy.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is Headingley, Manitoba. A description in five words: Flat, peaceful, lonely, hot, cold. It’s kind of a study in coinciding opposites.

How do you look after your voice?

I listen to my vocal coach, Mitch Seekins. I do my arpeggios and warmups to keep it limber, and when I want to push it harder, we’ll have some lessons to work on blending. Mitch is a fantastic musician himself. When I played him the demo of ‘High Park’ he immediately recommended that I raise the key of the song significantly, and that was a huge contribution to how beautifully it turned out.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Interesting question! The first one that comes to mind is Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen. As a psychologist, the way he portrays character is very interesting to me. As a Manitoban, the Mennonite component of the story is familiar. And the wacky but masterful tonal shifts and plotting would be so fun to interpret musically.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I’ll always acknowledge Tori Amos, who was the reason I started writing my own music. She is a master of the piano, has always been uncompromisingly vulnerable, and championed queer people from her first days. Fiona Apple has never been afraid to embrace some emotional instability as well as her love for her dogs. These days I am particularly obsessed with Tom Odell. He is a fellow pianist/singer/songwriter, and based on his lyrics I think we may have gone through some similar things. I’m getting married next month, and the plan is to walk down the aisle to his song ‘Best Day of My Life’.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024/2025?

Let’s pump things up so that people there would love for me to come! I would love to perform in the UK.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2024/2025?

Oh yes! ‘High Park’ is just the first single of a full album that is completed and ready to go. You can expect a new single every couple of months or so. I adore ‘High Park’, but I will say that it was meant to be a gentle introduction to what is to come. There’s fury, humour, dirges, waltzes, rock songs – we’ve only just started to share the range of what’s on this album.

What makes Andrew Spice happy and what makes you unhappy?

I’m unhappy when I see harm inflicted on vulnerable people.

I’m happy when I’m with my animals, helping people in the course of my work, embracing my queerness, having a great time with my soon-to-be husband, and during the incredible process of creating music.