Spencer Albee


Spencer Albee is an American musician, singer and songwriter from Portland, Maine. Albee has been a major figure in the Portland music scene for over two decades and is locally renowned for his songwriting and musical abilities. He is known for his distinctive voice as well as the depth and diversity of his work. Previously, Albee fronted As Fast As and was the keyboardist and backup singer for the band Rustic Overtones. Albee released the solo album Spencer in July 2013.

Early life

Albee was born in Dover, New Hampshire, and raised in the town of York, Maine, where he was influenced at an early age by his grandfather, a banjo player and music enthusiast. Early groups that influenced Albee included Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson, Brian Wilson and David Bowie. In particular, Beatles bass player Paul McCartney left an indelible mark on Albee's musical development.
Albee was first introduced to the piano by his parents, and without much formal training picked up the instrument mostly by ear. From there he dabbled in guitar, bass, tuba, recorder, harmonica, and accordion. He also developed his voice by singing in his school's chorus.

Musical career

At the age of 18, Albee dropped out of the University of Southern Maine to join the regionally popular Rustic Overtones as their keyboard player. His relationship with the band would last several years and give him the opportunity to rub elbows and record with the likes of David Bowie, Funkmaster Flex and Imogen Heap.
After Rustic Overtones broke up, Albee formed a solo effort he dubbed "The Popsicko," under the pseudonym "Frankenstein." Due to a variety of circumstances, the band Albee had assembled for the project only played a few gigs, and broke up quietly just months after inception. Albee's next endeavor was the much more successful Rocktopus, which recorded two albums and toured extensively. After the band's second album, Something Fierce, Albee changed the band's name to As Fast As. As Fast As released the critically acclaimed Open Letter to the Damned on A&M Octone Records and toured steadily behind it, crisscrossing the U.S. and Canada from 2004-2007.
Beginning in July 2007, Albee played with the reunited Rustic Overtones at concerts around New England following the independent release of Light at the End. On August 15, 2008, the Portland Phoenix reported that Albee had parted ways with Rustic Overtones, telling the paper, "I need a change of pace, as well as clarity and perspective. Since 1995, I've been on tour and making records constantly, and now I find myself seeking respite."
After the dissolution of As Fast As and his departure from Rustic Overtones, Albee formed Spencer and the School Spirit Mafia, and released "Candy, Cake and Ice Cream," followed by Space versus Speed's self-titled record. Then, in 2013, he released his first solo record Spencer.
In the fall of 2014 Albee released the solo EP Love is Not Enough.
His sophomore solo album Mistakes Were Made was released on April 28, 2015.
His third solo album Relentlessly Yours was released on May 16, 2017.

Discography

With Rustic Overtones
TitleRelease dateLabel
Long Division1995Ripcord Records
Rooms by the Hour1998Ripcord Records
¡Viva Nueva!2001Tommy Boy/Warner Bros.
Light at the End2007Velour

With Rocktopus/As Fast As
TitleRelease dateLabel
I Love You! Good Morning!2002Independent
Something Fierce2003Independent
Open Letter to the Damned2004Independent
Open Letter to the Damned 2006A&M Octone Records
Destroy the Plastique Man2008Independent
AFA for Effort2009Independent

Solo
TitleRelease dateLabel
The Popsicko Vol. 12000Independent
Spencer2013Independent
Signature Half-Step a Retrospective 2000-2014 2014Independent
Love is Not Enough 2014Independent
Mistakes Were Made2015Independent
Relentlessly Yours2017Independent

With Spencer and the School Spirit Mafia
TitleRelease dateLabel
Candy, Cake, & Ice Cream2009Independent

With Space Versus Speed
TitleRelease dateLabel
Space Versus Speed2010Independent