ORIGINS — “Where It All Began”

At just 30 years old, Cullen Spencer has already carved out a name for himself as a storyteller — one who writes not just to be heard, but to be felt. His songs pulse with emotion, honesty, and a touch of grit, echoing through the same walls where he first learned what music really meant.

Early Days

Q: How old are you, Cullen?

I’m 30 years old.

Q: When’s your birthday?

September 16th.

Q: How did your journey into music begin?

I’ve always loved music — I can’t recall a time when I wasn’t listening, feeling, or living through it. Music has been there from the very beginning of time for me.

Q: What’s your earliest memory of realizing music was your language?

Honestly, it was watching my mom move furniture around when I was little. Every time she did, the music was blasting on ten. That rhythm, that energy — it just stuck with me.

Q: Who were the artists or sounds that first inspired you to create?

Dolly Parton for her storytelling, Adele for her soul, and Miley Cyrus for how unapologetically herself she is — and her love for music.

Q: Did you grow up in a musical household?

Absolutely. My Papaw NJ was always humming, whistling, or picking at a banjo or guitar. There was always some kind of melody floating through the house.

Q: What was the first song you ever wrote?

The first song I ever wrote was called “GLUE.” For years, I didn’t think I could write songs — then one day I sat down, focused, and it just poured out. It ended up on my debut album This Is Me (Nice to Meet Ya).

Sound & Style

Q: How would you describe your sound?

I never want to be boxed into one sound or genre. That said, I tend to lean toward an electro-pop vibe — but I love experimenting. If it tells the story the right way, I’ll chase it.

Q: What do you want listeners to feel when they hear your work?

I’m a storyteller at heart — that’s why I started writing books. But in music, I want people to feel something deeper. Not just hear the words, but live inside them.

Songwriting & Creative Process

Q: Where do your songs usually begin — with a lyric, a melody, or a feeling?

Usually, I start with a feeling. Once I know what I want to express, I find a phrase or hook that captures it. From there, I write as if I’m telling a story — then refine it so it connects universally. Finally, I choose a melody that magnifies the emotion I’m trying to feel.

Q: Do you write from personal experience, or fiction too?

Most of my songs come from personal experiences, but I’ve definitely written from fictional standpoints as well.

Q: How do you handle creative blocks or burnout?

I step away. I’ll watch a show or play The Sims — something to let my brain breathe before diving back in.

Q: What role does vulnerability play in your music?

It’s everything. When I’m writing, that’s when I’m at my most vulnerable — and I think that’s how you make the best music.

Influence & Inspiration

Q: Which artist taught you the most about emotion?

Adele and Sam Smith. Both know how to let emotion bleed through a song.

Q: If your music was a color palette, what would it look like?

Blue, gray, black, and red — with flashes of neon. Melancholy with light cutting through it.

Q: Do you find more inspiration in heartbreak, healing, or hope?

Heartbreak — I can write a mean breakup song.

Q: Do you believe great art comes from pain or truth?

A bit of both — maybe pain and truth sprinkled in together.

Identity & Story

Q: How would you describe the person behind the name “Cullen Spencer”?

Timid, adventurous, and focused.

Q: Is Cullen a version of you — or an evolution of you?

Definitely a version of me.

Q: Do you think music can redeem or transform people?

Absolutely. Music can move people — sometimes even save them.

Personal Life & Soul

Q: When you’re not making music, what grounds you?

My three children. Always.

Q: Do you believe everything happens for a reason, or that we give things meaning later?

Everything happens for a reason — I even have it tattooed on my side.

Q: What’s one truth about you that always finds its way into your songs?

That I feel too much — for sure, lol.

Final Thoughts

Cullen Spencer isn’t chasing fame — he’s chasing feeling. Whether it’s through raw vulnerability, late-night melodies, or storytelling that blurs the line between heartbreak and hope, his voice isn’t one you just hear — it’s one you remember.