Canadian indie singer-songwriter Andrew Spice swaps fury for farce on his charming new track, “Terrible Date.” Following the cinematic drama of his previous singles, “Rage Stage” and “Gentle Sentinel,” this whimsical indie waltz turns the awkwardness of a romantic flop into something melodically melancholic and universally relatable.
Written by Spice and produced by two–time JUNOnominee Matthew Barber, “Terrible Date” is a playful detour into romantic misadventure. The song features strings, synths, and a lilting piano rhythm that mirrors the emotional chaos of an evening gone sideways. Acclaimed musician Mike Tompa contributed a madcap string arrangement along with additional keys and guitar, helping to capture both the charm and cringe of a date best left in the rearview.
1. What did you enjoy most about the recording process of this new release?
The forthcoming album that ‘Terrible Date’ belongs to is pretty heavy, thematically and lyrically, so I enjoyed working on a song that has a lighter and more humorous touch. It was also fun, from a songwriting and production standpoint, to flip the experience of a bad date from something sorrowful to something comical.
2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.
Don’t expect it to be perfect right away. Make it exist first, and refine it afterward. Have I always been great at taking that advice? Absolutely not, with one example being my 15-year hiatus from the music business while I waited for perfect new songs to magically appear in my mind. But once I allowed myself to start the messy process of writing again, I was able to craft the music into something beautiful over time.
3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?
Tom Odell: A rock star who writes beautifully sensitive and complex material. I’d be a pretty easy opening act to deal with, as long as he’s okay with me sharing his piano!
4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
I try to be as supportive and non-hierarchical as possible with other indie artists, as we are all navigating a very tough world. I offer listeners a way with language and lyrics that is coloured by almost 15 years of practice as a clinical psychologist, which is a story I haven’t yet heard about another artist. I try to walk the line between writing about experiences that are near-universal, but also that others may not touch in their songwriting. And I think my voice is unique, for all of its strengths and faults, take it or leave it.
5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.
‘Damage‘ by Lights, for several reasons. I’ve followed her since the beginning of her career, and always support artists who achieve longevity and authenticity – particularly women. A6 is one of those rare albums that is great from front to back, with not one skippable song. Lights has talked about this being the first album she owns and has produced that has reached the level of success it has, which shows that she has achieved independence and creative freedom from a machine that not all of us make it out of. On a personal note, ‘Damage’ helped get me through the deaths of my beloved dog and cat late last year. The message I needed to hear was to acknowledge that trauma while also holding hope for the possibility that there could be healing on the other side.
A “Terrible Date” is something most of us have gone through. Although it can be a crushing experience, a little time and distance can help us look back and find some humour in it all. This song is a whimsical and melancholic ode to a Saturday night with a person I will never see again (and I’m sure we’re both okay with that). – Andrew Spice
After stepping away from music to become a clinical psychologist, Spice has returned with a fresh body of work that is both hard-earned and deeply human. His long-awaited sophomore album – set for release later this year – explores themes of queerness, resilience, grief, humour, and healing, all delivered with unflinching emotional honesty.
