Alec McGreevy (born January 11, 2002), professionally known as Dizzy Spins, is an accomplished American record producer, audio engineer, jazz pianist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. Hailing from Bellingham, Washington, he has demonstrated his versatility and collaborative spirit across a broad spectrum of genres, including pop, R&B, rock, electronic, jazz, and hip-hop.
Dizzy Spins' musical journey began at a young age when he commenced piano lessons at four years old. By the age of ten, he not only displayed a remarkable ability to play songs by ear but also started composing his own original pieces. During his formative years in middle school, Dizzy Spins was fortunate to receive mentorship from esteemed jazz pianist Bill MacDonough. Guided by MacDonough, he delved deeply into the works of influential jazz luminaries such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Bill Evans, Red Garland, Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver, and Thelonious Monk. He further enriched his musical education by studying and performing at the Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center, under the guidance of Julian MacDonough, son of Bill MacDonough.
Driven to refine his playing skills and cultivate a profound understanding of exceptional songwriting, Dizzy Spins embarked on a personal challenge during his early teens. Each day, he dedicated himself to learning three compositions by ear, accumulating an extensive repertoire of over 500 songs. Eager to showcase his talent and supplement his income, he took to the streets of Bellingham as a busker. At the remarkably young age of 14, Dizzy Spins began sharing his own compositions, remixes, mashups, and instrumental covers on prominent platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube. This exploratory phase allowed him to expand his musical horizons by immersing himself in a diverse array of genres.
Throughout his high school years, Dizzy Spins actively engaged in various musical endeavors. He joined Sehome High School's symphonic band as a drummer and became a pianist for the jazz band. Furthermore, he gained valuable performance experience by playing at local venues, corporate events, and DJing raves organized by Upnext Events, a company founded by his peers Marcus Poulos and Andreas Lytle. His talent was showcased at notable music festivals across Washington State, including the Blaine Harbor Music Festival and Jazz Port Townsend. At the age of 18, he made a pivotal decision to wholeheartedly pursue the art of beat-making and sound design. Armed with a modest studio setup in his apartment closet, he devoted himself to creating one song per day, diligently studying the intricacies of mixing and mastering. After nearly a year of unwavering dedication, he felt confident enough to unveil his debut single, "Tripwire," under his stage name, Dizzy Spins. The release left a profound impact within the underground electronic music community, subsequently garnering remixes from acclaimed producers worldwide.
Seeking further personal growth and collaborative opportunities, Dizzy Spins briefly pursued studies at Berklee College in Boston, Massachusetts, before returning to his roots. During his time in Boston, he collaborated with other songwriters, gaining invaluable experience in production and mixing. Once back in Washington, he committed himself to releasing one song per month for a year, with the ultimate goal of establishing a full-time career in music. This period marked a reconnection with his jazz heritage as he collaborated with esteemed saxophonists Alexander Kelsh, Frank Youngblood, and Matthew Chen to create the compelling three-track EP titled The Crossroads. While passionately focusing on his personal music and production endeavors, Dizzy Spins remains an active and engaged member of the jazz community. He attributes his transformative musical experiences to his brother's fondness for Daft Punk, Bill MacDonough's introduction to Miles Davis, and his own serendipitous discovery of Earth, Wind & Fire.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Dizzy Spins is the founder and director of Ring Records, an independent record label established in 2020. Building on his growing success, he signed a distribution deal with AWAL & The Orchard in 2022, further expanding his reach and influence. Dizzy Spins' unique sonic signature effortlessly fuses elements from various genres, skillfully incorporating influences from house, pop, hip-hop, rock, funk, post-punk, hard bop, as well as more niche styles like vaporwave, sampledelia, and plunderphonics. His mastery of performance-intensive and virtuosic music, coupled with his discerning ear for pop sensibilities, sets him apart and endows his music with a distinctive edge in the highly competitive online music marketplace.
