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Mary Spender

Mary Spender is a British independent singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist who shares original music, guitar conversations and music documentaries on YouTube.

900K+social following

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Latest

Mary’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.

Known for

Overview

Work: Singer-songwriter, guitarist, filmmaker and music educator
Sound: Blues, rock, folk and Americana, with fingerstyle guitar
Early YouTube breakthrough: A September 2016 Electro-Harmonix Turnip Greens pedal review
Wider recognition: Her 2021 take on John Mayer’s Last Train Home, written from a short teaser
Recognition: 2023 She Rocks Tone Setter Award

Mini bio

How it started.

Before YouTube became her job, Mary worked in temporary data-entry and admin roles while playing covers at weddings and corporate events. A Turnip Greens pedal review in September 2016 helped her find a guitar audience, followed by an invitation to appear on Andertons.

Finding her own route.

Mary built her career independently through songs, videos, direct sales and community support. In 2021, she made her own version of John Mayer’s Last Train Home using only a short teaser, drawing recognition from Mayer himself.

The music at the centre.

Her debut studio album, Super. Sexy. Heartbreak., was produced by Pau Romero and features Aaron Sterling, Sean Hurley and Ariel Posen. The Bandcamp edition arrived in May 2024. Her Songbook series offers a more intimate view of the writing, with Volumes III & IV presenting 18 songs she performed and recorded herself.

Following the stories.

Alongside her songs and guitar videos, Mary makes music documentaries. The Dire Straits Story on Nebula combines recollections from founding member John Illsley with her exploration of the band’s catalogue and legacy.

Creditschronological, newest first

Music

2026Songbook Volumes III & IVWriter, performer and recording artist; Truly Great Renown co-written with George Spender
2024Super. Sexy. Heartbreak. (Bandcamp edition)Songwriter; vocals, guitars and piano
2023Songbook Volumes I & II (Bandcamp edition)Writer and performer; Restaurant Window co-written with Lily-May Young and Owen Thomas

Documentaries

2025The Dire Straits StoryDocumentary creator

Awards

She Rocks Awards · Tone Setter Award2023 recipient, recognised as a guitarist, singer, songwriter and YouTube creator.

Quotes

Everyone has access to all the same tools but no one’s lived your life.Mary Spender, Guitar World interview, February 2020

Advice to musicians making videos. Source: https://www.guitarworld.com/features/mary-spender-record-labels-told-me-to-put-the-guitar-down-luckily-i-was-stubborn-enough-to-ignore-them

Trivia

She saved her pocket money to buy a Yamaha Pacifica 112 when she was 13.
She taught herself guitar, describing it as an escape from the restrictions of classical music.
Her songwriting influences include Joni Mitchell, Alison Krauss and Mark Knopfler.
Ariel Posen plays slide guitar on Drop, Drop, Slow Tears on Super. Sexy. Heartbreak.