Above photo credit: Lior Alan
Tel Aviv-based electronic producer and DJ Peter Spacey burst into my life when I first heard his smashing single ‘Summer Kite’. An upbeat, dreamy, and summery hit, I just couldn’t get the tune out of my head! I then dug a little deeper and discovered a rather prolific musician whose inventiveness and artistic ingenuity seem to know no bounds.
Intrigued to get to know Peter a little better, I was thrilled when he agreed to an interview! Speaking with us about his dynamic new single ‘It’s Nothing (Something)’, who some of his biggest influences are, and what he’d love to change about the music industry, please give a big welcome to our friend Peter Spacey!
Hey Peter, how are you? I’m so excited to re-introduce you to our ever-growing audience! Let’s kick things off with an easy one…Who is Peter Spacey and when did your love affair with music begin?
Hey! Thanks for having me 🙂
Peter Spacey is a concept that marries the boundless curiosity and playfulness of Peter Pan with the vast, exploratory nature of space. Peter Pan symbolizes the inner child, playfulness, naughty and mischievous. These qualities I want to forever stick with and the soul of my creation and in my personality. For years I tried to define my musical/conceptual genre. And space was always there. I’m also kinda spacey 🙂
Born into a family where music was the language of choice, my journey began with classical and jazz roots, quickly branching into the realms of electronic music production, beatmaking, and visual artistry. This foundation set the stage for a musical incarnation that thrives on the intersection of sound, visuals, and the eternal youthfulness of creation.
Your ‘Yolo & Sun’ EP introduced me to your music, specifically the mesmerizing tune ‘Summer Kite’, and you’ve clearly been pretty busy since! Does the whole “song-making process” come very naturally to you?
The song-making process is very intuitive and natural for me, both instinctual and methodically refined over years of experimentation and learning. It’s a natural extension of my curiosity and creativity, blending spontaneous ideas with meticulous craftsmanship. The journey from conception to completion is thrilling, filled with moments of discovery and challenge that ultimately shape the final piece.
The creation of ‘Summer Kite’ was a particularly intuitive process that showcased my multidisciplinary approach, combining songwriting, production, and visual storytelling. This project wasn’t just about music; it was about creating a cohesive artistic expression that resonates on multiple levels. The synergy between the auditory and visual elements was central to bringing my vision for ‘Summer Kite’ to life, leveraging new AI technologies to achieve a deeply integrated artistic work and utilizing the potential of creativity, expression, and storytelling across disciplines.
I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek at your latest single ‘It’s Nothing (Something)’. As undoubtedly one of the most dynamic and experimentative pieces of music I’ve heard in a while, what would you like our readers to know about the track?
At first listen, ‘It’s Nothing (Something)’ may seem simple, but it has a deeper meaning, and explores the contrasts and duality of life, the dichotomy between moments of vibrancy and collapse, symbolizing life’s ups and downs – things that seem at first to be nothing, turning out to be something significant. Music-wise – the way the words are performed with no emotions on the verses then the production melds into vibrant electronic drops in the choruses, resonating the contrast & highlighting my journey from classical music foundations to electronic and DJ influences.
The music video visually complements this theme, with monochrome/B&W verses transitioning to colorful, psychedelic & dynamic choruses, mirroring the song’s exploration of duality and my diverse artistic journey. These opposing narratives are recurrent in my upcoming album in different songs (upcoming tracks ‘Nowhere, Somewhere, Darkness & Light, Sun & Moon..)
Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
My musical influences span from jazz legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, through pioneering artists such as Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, to modern innovators like Flume, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), Tyler, The Creator, and Stromae. Their creativity and boundary-pushing work inspire my approach to blending genres and forms in music and art.
When you’re not creating music, what keeps you busy and happy? Walk us through a non-music day in the life of Peter Spacey.
Days away from music are rare but cherished. They’re often spent immersed in nature – whether it’s a quiet stroll through the forest, practicing yoga or Chi-gong, bicycling through the city’s pulse, swimming, or exploring new locales. These moments of movement and environmental change are not just breaks but essential sources of inspiration and rejuvenation.
OK, Peter – desert island time! You’re allowed to grab 3 albums before being stranded on an island. Which do you choose and why?
Choosing only three albums is akin to capturing sunlight in a bottle, but if pressed, I’d choose ‘Space is the Place’ by Sun Ra for its cosmic journey, ‘Rivers and Homes’ by J. Views for its intimate storytelling, and ‘Hi This Is Flume’ by Flume for its boundary-pushing production. Each represents a different facet of my musical identity – exploratory, personal, and innovative.
What is one thing about the music industry that you would change if you had the power to?
If I had the power to change one thing in the music industry, it would be to fully leverage and integrate technology to both enhance artistic expression and ensure fair compensation for artists. By embracing platforms like AR/Virtual reality, we can create immersive experiences that elevate the connection between artists and audiences. Additionally, implementing blockchain technology offers a transparent and efficient means to manage royalties, ensuring artists are fairly rewarded for their creativity and hard work. This dual approach enriches the musical landscape and also fosters a more equitable and innovative environment for creators.
Thanks so much for your time, Peter. Before we let you go though, what can you tell us about ‘Spacey Album 1: Audio-Visual Poetry’?
‘Spacey Album 1: Audio-Visual Poetry’ is more than just an album – it’s a manifesto of my artistic journey. It’s an invitation to explore a universe where sound and visuals intertwine to tell stories, evoke emotions, and challenge perceptions. This album is a labor of love, a synthesis of my experiences, musical influences, and the boundless potential of audio-visual art. I invite everyone to join me in this adventure, to see and hear the Audio-Visual poetry.
