Electronic Press Kit
Spencer Lee Wilson (aka The Dead Poet), is a Huddersfield-based singer-songwriter. His original acoustic tracks and lyrical storytelling cover themes of the human condition, love and loss, hope and nostalgia. Using the genres of folk, country, indie rock and americana, these heartfelt vocal performances are a product of his album ‘All My Ghosts’ and new singles due to be released in 2025. His song writing is influenced by Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, Noel Gallagher, The Band and many more.
Releases
All My Ghosts (album, 2022)
"All My Ghosts” is The Dead Poet’s most personal and successful release to date, with almost 40,000 streams on Spotify. As is his norm, the songs are stories of love, loss, hurt, nostalgia. The album CD and accompanying book of short stories raised in excess of £1,000 in sales, for a men’s mental health charity. Recent live performances of this album take on an Americana, Indie rock, country folk vibe - a bit more up tempo than the studio recording.
Urbanista (EP, 2020)
"Urbanista" features three tracks with a full band sound and a mostly 90's indie pop-rock feel, and is The Dead Poet's second release. Spencer often still plays acoustic versions of 'Merry Hell' and 'Am I a Lie' as part of his current playlist. The track 'Out of Darkness' provides a heavier bass and guitar and ominous destructive vibe, setting it apart from Spencer's usual tracks, having a more reflective focus on world issues.
Sirens and Sentinels (EP, 2018)
"Sirens and Sentinels" was The Dead Poet's first studio release comprising of five tracks, with a full band sound. It serves as an eclectic mix of song styles and genres, from straight up love songs and ballads in the form of 'Late Night Messages' and 'Ballad of the Wild Flowers', to up tempo punkish-rock with 'Better Dead Than Mediocre' and dark storytelling in the six minute epic, 'The Knowman'. It clearly reflects the start of the song writing journey, as Spencer searched for his voice.
Live performances of note...
Lawrence Batley Theatre (2024)
A live performance showcasing five of The Dead Poets most recent tracks, filmed on the main stage at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield. Delivered with a confidence and emotion befitting of a big stage performance, Spencer's new songs demonstrate a maturing of his song writing skill and heartfelt vocals, a mix of hard edge lyrics delivered with genuine vulnerability. A definite shift into the folk-rock and Americana genres. View on YouTube
Woodstock Music Festival (2023)
The Dead Poet was the opening act at the Woodstock Music Festival (Alabama), performing to a crowd of over 2,000 people. He was invited by the Mayor of Woodstock, and although not a traditional country music artist, was welcomed with open arms and kindness by the ‘Bammers. View on YouTube
Latest music review
The Dead Poet – The Letter
Huddersfield’s The Dead Poet, Spencer Lee Wilson, crafts poignant singer-songwriter music, exploring the depths of human experience through acoustic melodies and evocative lyrics.
Wilson’s voice, a blend of raw emotion and vulnerability, draws listeners into his world. His songwriting, rich in storytelling, delves into themes of love, loss, hope, and nostalgia, capturing the delicate balance between joy and sorrow. His “rough around the edges” acoustic guitar playing complements his vocals, adding an authentic and unfiltered layer to his music.
“The Letter” serves as a poignant reminder to seize opportunities and avoid regret. The song reflects on missed chances, with lyrics like “Did you ever realise to swim out in the ocean, was an option as you daydreamed in the shallows,” highlighting the tendency to let life drift by passively. It’s a self-reflective piece, encouraging listeners to embrace the present and avoid the “what ifs” of the future. Read review at source
By Kirklees Most Wanted, Music Review. March 3, 2025