Adam Spry

BIO

Without knowing that the world around him would soon become unrecognizable, San Francisco songwriter Adam Spry already felt off his axis and out of place. A years-long battle with depression had left him scarred and fighting to tread water in a fast moving society that doesn’t have time for indecision. Working as a full-time musician in numerous touring bands and recording projects had left him burnt out, with a creative hole that needed to be filled. Stopped dead in his tracks by the pandemic, like so many of us, Adam began to carve out a new reality of all his time spent at home with his partner and dog.

Having time to reflect on what is important in life turned out to be a blessing in disguise. With a newfound perspective, Adam found his creative spark in the midst of the pandemic’s darkness, and began writing new songs. After furiously recording demos onto a loaner 4-track cassette recorder, Spry slowly began to dig himself out of the hole and started self-recording songs that would become his debut full-length album. After recording the majority of his parts in his home studio, Adam called upon Trevor Brooks (Ezra Furman, Art Moore) to help bring the songs to life. In addition to adding overdubs on numerous instruments and co-writing on a tune, Brooks’ also mixed and co-produced the album.

The ten magnetic tracks of Slightly Off Kilter encapsulate the ebb and flow of the new existence we have all adopted. Opening with the beautiful and vulnerable track “Madeline,” Adam’s forthright vocals and acoustic guitar are accompanied by lush sonic textures and Harrison-esque slide guitar licks. The ensuing tune “Cruel Dream,” driven by a thumping rhythm section, is a dark descent into the racing mind of a conflicted narrator, unsure of what is real, all tucked into a 70’s-inspired highway ride. “Rotten Mausoleum” bursts out of the starting gates with an anthemic arrangement of harmonized guitar lines and thunderous drums and crescendos into carefree indie rock at its finest. “Real Bad Feelin’” is a powerful ode to the familiar feeling of someone you love who is slipping through your fingers, and being too stubborn to fix it until it is too late.

Draped with a tranquil arrangement, the cosmic “Black Hole Woman” is a desperate cry to not give up hope, while “Creatures Of Habit” brings beautiful vibrant layers built upon a classic singer-songwriter foundation. “Spin The Wheel” is a markedly catchy pop rock number about taking a chance that is bookended by waves of cascading shoegaze guitars and synthesizers. “Coming To See Me” plays like a summary of life spent apart during the pandemic with the lines “Are you still coming to see me? I don’t care if it kills ya, I need a little peace of mind and I can’t find it unless I’m with ya.” 

Spry’s haunting baritone vocal leads you into “Leave It Alone” a nostalgic waltz seemingly plucked directly out of a bizarre fever dream set in a 1960’s family carnival. The album draws to a close with the heartfelt track “Circles,” which details a painful cycle of fighting with someone you love and trying to find a way to break it. Adam Spry’s songwriting embraces the unknown and forces us to accept our imperfections and try to learn from them. Slightly Off Kilter is a no-punches-drawn slugfest that will leave you wanting another ten rounds.

PRESS QUOTES

“…a boon of rich compositions, genuine lyricism, confident and tasteful guitar riffs, and sonorous tenor vocals that have an inspiriting effect.” – The Bay Bridged

“…these athletic songs demonstrate his versatility and understanding of not just Americana, folk, and rock music, but musical proficiency in general — weaving ’70s, ’90s, and modern indie rock all into one seamless experience.” – The Bay Bridged

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MUSIC

Check out “Rotten Mausoleum” (single out 1/18/23) – the lead single from Adam Spry’s new album Slightly Off Kilter: https://adamspry.fanlink.to/rottenmausoleum

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PHOTOS