The Long Story Made Short

Bio with links

Described as one of the best guitar-playing singer/songwriters in Staten Island by Ben Johnson of the Staten Island Advance and as a great talent by MSNBC.com, Dorian Spencer is building a reputation as one of the most exciting solo artists in New York City.

Dorian came to the city with a guitar and a laptop. He has since formed his own record label, Dorian Mode Records, which has produced two CDs. He performs all over the state, expanding his following, and his music has even been heard by millions on TV.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dorian was adopted in his third week. Raised moving between New York, California, New Mexico, and Ohio, his none traditional upbringing exposed him to a myriad perspectives on social relations.

Finding he was talented with instruments, his mother got him placed in the school band where he began playing the Trombone. He went on to wrestled with the saxophone and piano while at the same time moving from California to New Mexico. He eventually settled on the guitar, learning to play by ear. Soon he was regaling friends and family with his strangely-corded musical creations. Dorian went on to expand his artistic expression through acting. This path landed him in Hollywood, California, where he went on to play bit parts in movies and on TV.

Seeking an artistic shot in the arm, Dorian traveled to New York looking to rejuvenate a perishing acting career but instead rekindled a passion for creating music. He began fine-tuning his guitar skills and spent a year touring the open-mic scene in around New York City. He has gone on to play to packed houses in clubs and large venues all over the state.

Dorian Spencer is now an independent artist making a living creating music for a worldwide audience. He infuses folk, alternative, rock, and pop into each song, creating a sound he calls Bohemian Soul. His lyrics range from introspective and autobiographical to romantic and entertaining to serious and political. Taken together, his music stays clear of the conventional and promises a fresh perspective.

“I love playing music and all that goes with creating a song,” says Dorian. “I just want to be a great songwriter who addresses real life, even if it’s just from my own weird point of view.”

Along with producer Matthew Broyles, he recorded the four-song, acoustic EP, Seeds. It made the rounds and within two years, financed his first LP, Garden. “Selling Seeds on the street was my record deal,” Dorian remembers. Garden is a work of intense self reflection and realization. Three years later Dorian released Stone to Stone, taking his production value and songwriting to a new level. He creates a highly original and colorful palette musically and lyrically.

Dorian has spent six years building a reputation as a street musician making a living off the impulse buys of the New York City public. He defies the odds by continuing to create new and unique music for an ever changing and sometimes indifferent audience. With three independently produced CDs, frequent gigs in some of NYC’s most renowned venues including Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theater, The Bitter End, and Arlene’s Grocery, Dorian has amassed an impressive fan-base. By popular demand, he won the lion share of 50,000 votes on MSG Network’s reality show, “NYC Sound Tracks,” which showcased some of New York City’s best subway performers. He was also featured at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in its Emerging Artist Showcase.

He has been compared to Seal, Ben Harper, and Jeff Buckley, yet his original style continues to hold as truly unique.

“I say listen for yourself, and define me for yourself.”

No matter what the venue or how big the crowd, you can be assured that Dorian’s strong voice and passionate performances will impress and surprise you.