Spencer Thomas likes to keep busy. In addition to playing keys with Athens rockers Futurebirds, he’s been hard at work writing and recording his own solo material. Thomas draws from a deep singer-songwriter tradition that puts him in league with Americana heavy hitters like Cory Branan or Caroline Spence. He pairs thoughtfully crafted lyrics about broken hearts, restless hope, and the encroaching shadow of adulthood with a strong hit of an ass-shaking good time.
That’s the formula for “She Doesn’t Know She Does It.” Recorded at Tweed Recording in Athens with producer/engineer Nate Nelson and Tweed recording students assisting, the song features support from Ryan Engelberger (Curt Castle) and Taylor Cotton and Reagan Byrd of Heffner. As the cut unfolds, Thomas’ vision proves to be more refined, leaving room for big emotions. It’s as if Springsteen brought his youthful exuberance to the recording of Petty’s Wildflowers. The track does this mesmerizing trick where the lyrics and the melody point in opposite directions, culminating in the rare hopeful break-up song.
“She Doesn’t Know She Does It” rings out both lonesome and triumphant. Make sure to stick around for the end, which transcends beyond chords and melody and into the sunny extract of a bittersweet summer.
Says Thomas of the track, “This song, while it feels like calling someone out, is more about getting over the past to embrace the next chapter. In January, I was driving around Nashville with my friend and talented videographer Charles Warren, describing my past relationship and how any romantic relationship can bring out bad, automatic habits. He said, ‘It’s like she doesn’t know she does it,’ and I immediately sang the first line of the chorus into my phone with the rest easily pouring out when I got back to write it in Athens.”
Listen below.
Spencer Thomas will perform on Sat., Oct. 22 on the rooftop of the Eastern ahead of the Futurebirds show with Heffner. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $35-$59.50. All ages.
More Info
Web: spencerthomassongs.com
Facebook: @spencerthomassongs
Instagram: @spencerthomassongs