Spencer LaJoye makes queer indie folk music for everyone. With a crystalline voice, a multi-instrumentalist’s command of harmony, and a virtuosic mastery of the loop pedal, LaJoye is a one-human tour-de-force, winning ears and hearts everywhere they go.

If LaJoye’s work as a songwriter had to be ruthlessly boiled down to one word, “craft” is a solid contender. Spencer’s songs dance effortlessly between theatrical grace and unhinged sincerity, with melodies that make you exhale, and turns of phrase that make you shake your head with a satisfi ed smirk.

LaJoye is a relentless wordsmith, harvesting endless insight out of lived experience. Since the providential and cathartic breakout of their anthemic hymn “Plowshare Prayer,” Spencer has been in non-stop motion. Spencer won the Kerrville New Folk singer/songwriter contest in 2021, and the Songwriter Serenade contest in 2024. They’ve shared stages and tours with The Crane Wives, David Wilcox, Dar Williams, Mary Gauthier, and countless greats in the singer/songwriter community.

The accolades, though exciting, pale in comparison to the word-of-mouth fervor around LaJoye’s music and ethos. Listeners of every background are fi nding voice for their own stories, and often driving several hours to catch a concert. Listening rooms across the continental US are selling out. Fellow songwriters are buzzing and taking note of an artistry they are excited to witness. A robust community of dedicated long-time monthly patrons (500+ and counting) is on the edge of their seats.

Spencer is a midwesterner by birth and demeanor, and a Californian by residence and street smarts. But judging by the frequent fl ier miles and exhausted Honda odometer, Spencer is more a citizen of the road. Their concerts are typically a fully solo endeavor brimming with more energy than many eight-piece bands. They are a curious blend of pastoral sobriety and nimble playfulness. A Spencer LaJoye concert isn’t exactly a worship hour, a one-act drama, a melodic composition masterclass, or an unplugged emo show. But it’s never not those things.
Spencer LaJoye released their technicolor debut LP Shadow Puppets in 2024, followed by the mournful Death Drive EP in 2025. Their most recent release Gentle Songs has been a fan favorite, featuring ten single-minute songs that are bite sized but fully formed.