Mary Spender (born July 2, 1990) is a British singer-songwriter, guitarist, and prominent YouTube personality known for blending musical insight with engaging digital content. Born in Rinteln, Germany, at the British Military Hospital to a British Army officer, Spender was raised in a culturally rich environment that helped shape her early interest in music. She later studied classical music at the University of Bristol, focusing on viola performance and classical singing, a foundation that informs the technical finesse of her contemporary work.
As a musician, Spender is celebrated for her crisp, harmonically rich, and percussive guitar style, paired with a sultry, confessional approach to songwriting. Her original music has gained recognition both online and through traditional media, with airplay on platforms including BBC Radio. Her sound weaves elements of folk, soul, and blues, often likened to artists who channel raw storytelling through minimalist instrumentation.
Spender’s impact extends well beyond the studio. Her YouTube channel, centered on music and music technology, has become a hub for guitarists, producers, and fans alike. Through it, she has conducted in-depth interviews with influential musicians such as KT Tunstall, Devin Townsend, Kaki King, and James Valentine of Maroon 5. These conversations delve into creativity, technique, and the evolving music industry, resonating with both seasoned players and aspiring artists.
In addition to her own channel, Spender has collaborated with notable creators like Rob Scallon, Adam Neely, and Rick Beato, bridging the gap between online music education and entertainment. Her versatility also extends to pop culture—she voiced a character named Mary in the animated film Pastacolypse and appeared as a contestant on the quiz show Lateral.
Mary Spender continues to blend artistry with accessibility, crafting music and content that inform, inspire, and entertain. Whether through a vulnerable lyric, a guitar tutorial, or a candid conversation with fellow musicians, she stands out as a modern artist who thrives at the intersection of tradition and technology.
