Time Well Spent
Sienna Spiro, the 19-year old singer-songwriter from London – who music industry legends like Elton John believe is poised for stardom – caught up with us at the Chateau Marmont after her performance at Urban Jürgensen’s Skäl and Fejre relaunch event. She shared with us what time well spent means to her.
In the September chapter of Time Well Spent — our series celebrating those who spend time as beautifully as they keep it — we spend time with the gifted singer-songwriter, Sienna Spiro, at the storied Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.
Sienna is a natural-born talent. At age 10, she began writing songs, inspired by jazz musicians such as Etta James and Frank Sinatra, as well as a range of hip-hop artists from the early 2000s. In 2021, she began posting videos on TikTok of herself singing both covers and original music which, much to her surprise, went viral.
Spiro quickly amassed a large following. She released her debut single, Need Me on May 24, 2024 and then her debut extended play, Sink Now, Swim Later on February 21, 2025. Spiro has been billed as a “musician to watch” for 2025 by Dazed and lauded by SZA, Finneas, and others.
At only 19 years old, Sienna is wise beyond her years. Her out-of-this-world vocals are matched by her charm and charisma.
It is the Urban Jürgensen philosophy that the way we keep time inspires how we spend it, so we asked Sienna a few questions to learn more about her and what it means to live a life sung with meaning:
What does Time Well Spent mean in your life?
Time well spent for me is being intentional about who you give time to. I’ve learnt this as I’ve gotten older but the people I choose to spend the most time with have such a big impact on who I am. I don’t have a big circle, but each person teaches me so much and brings so much into my life. I am very grateful for my community.
What do you do to feel most present?
Performing on stage.
How do you like to begin your day?
A coffee and scrolling.
Do you think about time as something you master or something you surrender to?
I think in a way both. Mastering time could be seen as trying to fit the most into one's life whether that’s trying to control, schedule, or bend it. Time will always be a force that is inevitable and doesn’t stop moving. It can give you a sense of power, but can also feel like you’re in constant battle with it. Surrendering to time is important because I believe in the universe and everything happening for a reason. And sometimes you have to let things flow and happen naturally, whether that’s the start or end of something. I once heard someone say that the ending is always written, you just sometimes have to get yourself to that part. So I really believe you need both and the art of time I suppose is knowing when to let go and when to take control.
Can you share a moment recently where time seemed to stretch or slow down?
My grandad’s funeral made everything slow down. It was a beautifully reflective moment.
If you could time travel to a different point in history, when would it be?
The 60’s baby!
Where are the places you most love to spend time?
The studio, the ocean, Smalls Jazz Club, my nan’s house, my sister’s car…to name a few.
What led you to become a creative?
A need to release.
What is your first memory of creating?
When I was very, very young I remember stealing my mum's boxes that she’d get from packages and anything I could find to make shelves in my room. I’m not sure why but I ended up with so many box shelves in my room!
When do you feel most like yourself?
The moment I finish writing a song that articulates something I’ve wanted to say. And anytime I sing in front of people.
What is your greatest fear?
At the moment, my greatest fear is not succeeding in the things I’ve set out for myself in this life. And the dentist.
What living person do you most admire?
I’d have to say my older sister, Talia. Life has thrown so many challenges her way, and it’s never easy to truly change as a person. But over the years, I've watched her grow, evolve, and become such an incredible person. All while being there for me, guiding me in life and being hot.
What is your most treasured possession?
My 3 dogs – Simba, Stella & Stevie
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I have a lot that I want to improve on. But something I feel is the root of a lot of my issues is negativity. I am naturally a very pessimistic person and I think I internalize a lot of that. I lack in a lot of confidence because of this and find it really hard to be present in moments that I end up regretting this for.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Ignorance or Apathy.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Like
What is your favorite hobby?
Swimming
What is your greatest regret?
I think I’m too young to have had my greatest regret yet. But I tried to do something very stupid to myself when I was 14 or 15 and didn’t realize how selfish it could’ve been to the people around me if it had worked.
I can’t believe I got away with:
Convincing people to let me do this job.
My latest crush is:
I wish I had an answer
A risk I took that changed my life is:
Leaving school at 16.
The most generous thing somebody has ever done for me is:
I can’t think of the most, but most recently my sister gave up her time to come on tour with me this summer. I really needed her and felt so grateful for her being there.
A challenge I overcame that I’m proud of is:
Comparison. I used to heavily compare my body to others and it would eat me up inside and recently I’ve noticed myself doing it less and less which I am really proud of.
