With a new single, “Something Different,” just dropped, I sat down with M. Spano to find out about his roots, his style, and his plans for where everything is heading.
Can we start by looking at how you started in music and what the journey has been like that has brought you to where you are today?
I was always drawn to music at a young age, and the guitar in particular just fascinated me. At 7 years old, my grandfather took notice and bought me a First Act guitar and some lessons at a local music shop. I played guitar in multiple bands throughout high school and early college until ultimately deciding to sing, write, record, and release my own music.
You have said that it was the chance to build and work in your own studio, which was a real transformation for you. Can you explain how that changed things for you?
I think having my own home studio really grounded me. Previously, I was in all kinds of projects, practicing in various basements and garages. When it came to working on my own, I only had my bedroom. It may be okay to practice a little guitar in the bedroom, but to really get the recording and video gear necessary to do this work was difficult. I didn’t have enough space or the right aesthetic. Once I built my studio, I had a room that felt and looked like my brand. This gave order and reason to my creation process. I was also older by the time I built my studio, so I had a better handle on setting and accomplishing goals.
There is a slightly nostalgic feeling to “Something Different”; an echo of bands like Goo Goo Dolls or The Fray. Is that a deliberate sonic choice, or is that just the way things turned out?
That’s just the way it turned out. The sound of those bands is naturally embedded in my music. I wouldn’t be able to outrun that sound if I tried.
What would you say are your inspirations, both musically and otherwise?
The bands mentioned earlier, like The Goo Goo Dolls and The Fray, are my primary inspiration for songwriting. I don’t think I would’ve ever been motivated to start singing and releasing my own music if not for them. However, I spent many years as a guitarist and only a guitarist. I was raised on classic rock and take a lot of my guitar inspiration from bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, and Guns N ‘ Roses. Slash and Jimi Page are probably my two favorites, but there are so many that I could go on forever. Outside of music, I love baseball. I played as a kid, and I have always looked up to Derek Jeter. I still live by a lot of his principles on hard work and dedication to this day.
Is there a narrative or message running through the single?
The story of the song is about a girl I was seeing. One day, I just knew it wasn’t going to end well for me, and that’s what inspired the song. I think one of the hardest things in life is loving someone more than they love you. That feeling and a plea for a reprieve are the primary messages in the song.
The accompanying video prominently features New York City to the point that it is almost a character in the story itself. What does the city mean to you, and what is it like to make music there?
New York is where the events that inspired the song took place. I’ve had so many amazing memories in that city, both music-related and non-music-related. I think that a city as grand as New York has such a dramatic and emotional weight, even without my connection to it. Playing music there can be pretty surreal. It’s easy to understand how it feels like a character in the story. It holds a special place in my heart for sure.
Would you say that “Something Different” captures your signature style? Is there even one particular style that you think sums you up?
I think “Something Different” perfectly captures my style. I believe I do have one signature style, and I think that’s important. That’s how you know you’re being authentic in your songwriting. I could write a heavy metal song or a dance song, but I’d have to put an effort into it that wouldn’t be as authentic. With “Something Different”, it just came out. And when you follow what comes out, it’s impossible to veer too far away from a particular style.
And finally, where do things go next for you? What plans and hopes do you have for the future?
I’m currently finishing up the demo for my next release. I plan on being in the studio with it in the next month or so. The plan on paper is to release a short EP by the end of the year, but we’ll see if that comes to fruition. It’s easy for plans to change. Other than that, it’s all about writing and creating content. I’ve recently started to prioritize my live show much more in 2026 and plan to have a band put together by the end of the year.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with me, and best of luck with everything.
