Arts & Entertainment
Spencer Day Comes to McCallum Theatre
Day comes to Palm Desert as he finishes a new album, speaks about a new direction in his music and why he's a reluctant celebrity.
Best known for his jazz music, Spencer Day returns to the McCallum this Saturday night.
Just don’t classify him as a jazz artist or a celebrity. Day says his visit to the desert will be a bit different than in previous trips.
“it’s a standout because it’s the only show I’m doing before my next album is released.” Day said while sitting on an Indian Wells hotel balcony recently. “It’s a real sneak peek at what I’ve been doing, and a lot of new material.”
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The new material comes from his 3rd album, tentatively entitled “Shadow Man”, that is being remixed this week. It’s a departure from his previous albums, in that this album and the show, will be a bit more homespun.
“I really wanted to pay homage to more of the Brill Building era of song writing. It’s a lot more guitar-driven, a lot more folk and Americana elements. I’m still singing the way I do.. I mean, I’m not yodeling, but I am using more parts of my voice than usual. I’m singing in falsetto, stuff like that, which for me, is really pushing my comfort zone.”
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Describing his musical style as “Chet Baker meets Paul Simon”, Day effortlessly combines the two into a very sensible product.
“I never think of genre, which can get me in trouble in an industry where everything is based on what you are,” Day said. “But that’s the aesthetic I want to put together with so much of the folk and Americana movement and using some jazz sensibility. What I want to do is bring a fusion of these two things that seem diametrically opposed.”
It’s been nearly ten years since Day released his debut album, “Introducing Spencer Day”, yet the 30-year old singer-songwriter is reluctant to embrace celebrity status. He’d rather be known for the music and lyrics he pens, as opposed to being the person in the spotlight.
“I appreciate when people after the show come up to me and say ‘I love that song you wrote, it really moved me’, or something like that,” he quipped. “As opposed to ‘ooh it’s Spencer Day’. When people make it about you, its like you could be a piece of clothing or a sofa.”
Nonetheless, Day’s music is as comfortable as a well-loved shirt or the couch that has the upholstery the in just the right spots.
Day appears at the McCallum on Saturday for one night only. For tickets and more info, click here.
