Spencer McGarry Season

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Spencer McGarry Season is a Welsh musical project led by songwriter Spencer McGarry (also known as Spencer Segelov). The idea was to record and perform six albums in six different styles, released like episodes in a TV series called Episode 1, Episode 2, and so on.

Origin and concept
Based in Cardiff, the project started around 2005. McGarry assembled a rotating group of musicians, aiming to explore many sounds. They even started their own label, Businessman Records. The concept was to present a wide range of songs in a familiar box-set format, making it easier to showcase diverse ideas.

Episode 1
McGarry formed a three‑piece band with Avvon Chambers (drums) and Stephen Black (Sweet Baboo). They released the single Leader of the Chain Gang in 2006, played the BBC Electric Proms, and worked with the BBC concert orchestra. The debut album Episode 1 was released at the end of 2008 and more widely in 2009, along with the single The Heat Was Hot. A track from Episode 1, The Unfilmable Life and Life of Terry Gilliam, was used in the film Colin.

Episode 2
Work on Episode 2 began in 2009 with producer Charlie Francis and grew into a 14‑piece band. It featured many guests, including Rebecca Wood (vocals), Sophie Cochrane (vocals), Beth Gibson (cello), Katy Rowe (violin), Dan McGinn (trumpet), Tina Hitchens (flute), Avvon Chambers (drums), and Stephen Black (bass). The album was released in early 2010 and received positive press, including The Guardian naming them a “Band of the Day” and BBC Introducing calling them a tip of the week. McGarry also contributed to other artists, such as Hot Puppies and Sweet Baboo.

Episode 3 and beyond
Episode 3 – A Quick Win came out in July 2012, again with Black and Chambers, producing a more pop‑oriented, synth‑based sound. In 2014, the album Shorthand was released under the name Spencer Segelov as a commissioned work for Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff.

Current projects
Today, Spencer McGarry is the lead singer of the band Instructions and also plays with Nathan Hall and the Sinister Locals, continuing his busy, varied musical career. The project has featured many collaborators over the years, including past member Eifion Austin.