Canadian indie singer-songwriter Andrew Spice continues on the momentum of his acclaimed comeback single, “High Park,” with a scorching new track, “Rage Stage.” A blistering gothic pop ballad laced with defiance and theatrical intensity, “Rage Stage” is a furious reckoning with betrayal and a radical embrace of righteous anger as part of the healing process.

Written by Spice and produced by JUNO–nominated collaborator Matthew Barber, “Rage Stage” builds from a whisper to a snarl, combining searing lyrical vitriol with sweeping, genre-bending production. Spice‘s haunting vocals anchor the track with raw vulnerability, channeling grief into catharsis.

• What can you share with readers about your new project?

‘Rage Stage’ is a brand-new single from my forthcoming album, With Animals. The album is my first in 20 years, after taking a long hiatus from the music industry to become a clinical psychologist (I am still practicing, but I’ve now also brought my music career back to life alongside psychology). With Animals spans a lot of topics, ranging from the comfort of pet companionship to dealing with some of the worst behaviour human beings are capable of. ‘Rage Stage’ is all about the latter.

• How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the
• past?

In the past, I’ve tended toward a softer ballad-type style on many songs. ‘Rage Stage’, as the title suggests, is about anger, and that harshness is reflected both sonically and lyrically. Writing some of my most vicious lyrics ever, howling and snarling during the vocals, and hearing the guitars scream alongside my piano playing was all a lot of fun. 

• What about this single makes you most proud?

The lyrics. I think they’re a pretty devastating takedown in response to a betrayal.

• Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?

I wanted the audience to see a harder-edged side of me, and to draw them further into the story of the album as a whole. The experience that inspired ‘Rage Stage’ was what prompted me to write music again after two decades (although it wasn’t the first song that I wrote for the album – that honour belongs to a tune called ‘Gentle Sentinel’, which is dedicated to my cat). I needed the catharsis of making a song about that conflict, and for listeners to hopefully relate and find their own release in it.

• What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

In music I sing what I can’t say in the rest of my life. It is an essential, deeply vulnerable place. In making With Animals, I learned that if I create an open mental approach toward the muses of the universe, music and lyrics will come to mind very naturally. In terms of motivation, knowing that I could start again after 20 years and create a record I’m so proud of is pretty incredible. It certainly makes me not want to wait so long before the next one.

• If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.

Tom Odell has been creating phenomenally sensitive, gorgeous, and interesting music particularly in the last several years, starting with ‘Best Day of My Life’ (which I walked down the aisle to). Collaborating with him would be a dream.

• What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

The last song I listened to was Save Your Soul, the latest by Kathleen Edwards. She is also someone who took a break from the music industry, and returned with the incredible Total Freedom, so she is a huge inspiration to me. I am a child of the 80s, which for me means that my favourite all-time artists are trailblazing female singer-songwriters of the 90s: Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Fiona Apple.

• Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

Instagram! @andrewspicemusic. I’m still figuring out TikTok (as I said, I am a child of the 80s), but I’m there too – @andrewspicemusic as well.

• I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?

I have a show at Hugh’s Room in Toronto on Oct. 9th, alongside legends Emm Gryner and Gentleman Reg. Please come out and say hi!