EMQs With Sebastian Schneider
EMQs With Sebastian Schneider
05/11/2024
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with guitarist Sebastian Schneider. Huge thanks to him for taking part!
Can you tell us a little bit about your musical history?
I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old. But my career, per se, started when I was a teenager and joined or fronted different underground bands. At some point, I found a manager who suggested I become a solo artist. That’s when I released my first album, back in 2004-2005.
In 2007, I was lucky enough to land a Warner/Chappell publishing contract for my second album, and things kind of took off a bit. I went on my first international tour and had some major media exposure. After that, I continued playing in both small and large venues, went on another international tour, and released more albums.
In 2020, I moved to Germany to continue my musical career here in Europe. Then the pandemic hit, and my plans were obliterated. It felt like starting from scratch. It’s only this year that I’ve found my footing and am finally in a position to release a new album.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Well, I feel like I’m a real “nowhere man” since I’ve been influenced by so many cultures and people here and there, but for most of my life, I lived in Argentina. There’s a pretty vibrant music scene there, and people are always excited to see international acts live.
A lot of huge bands have recorded their “live” albums in Buenos Aires because the audience is, allegedly, fantastic. However, like anywhere, it’s difficult to get off the ground. Everything has a DIY vibe.
In Germany, things are a bit different. There’s a huge metal scene, perhaps the world’s biggest, and there’s a strong punk scene too. Surprisingly—or maybe not—there isn’t much of a rock/pop scene outside of major cities, which contrasts with other places I’ve been to. It’s strange because people really seem to enjoy indie bands in small towns, yet it feels untapped by the local music industry.
Tell us about your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
I’ve just released a new single called Keep Them Waiting along with the corresponding video. So far, the reception has been very positive. I had my doubts about whether it would click with people because it’s more of an introspective song, but I guess it resonates with many.
The video is also pretty personal and shows me in a vulnerable state, but it’s also a tale of freedom. Some are a bit shocked that I’m light on clothing, but there’s actually another version of the video that’s even more—shall we say—controversial in that regard, which I’m saving for future use. The truth is, we’re in a very conservative or clichéd state of mind when it comes to social media, and releasing that version would hurt more than help.
The single is part of a new album coming out later in October called Son of the Sun. I honestly think it might be my best one so far in terms of balance. I put my heart into it, and I think it shows. The central aspect is the songwriting rather than the singing or guitar playing, and my hope is that you’ll want to play it again after listening to it. If I achieve that, I’ll feel like my mission was accomplished.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Too many to mention. I started listening to rock and pop music from all eras, so I started with the ’50s. I’ve taken inspiration from artists of all time, so my influences are pretty eclectic. Some highlights are classic rock bands like The Beatles, Queen, and Pink Floyd, and notably Mark Knopfler, since I’m a fingerstyle guitar player.
However, I feel like I also evolve with the music that’s happening around me. For instance, I might hear a new band and it could make an immediate impact on me, which then translates into something I’m working on. Because of that, I’ve been told my music sounds like Paul McCartney, The Strokes, The Fratellis, The Last Shadow Puppets, Coldplay, and other seemingly disconnected artists, yet still sounds like none of them.
What first got you into music?
My grandmother. I was five years old and it was my cousin’s birthday. She gave him a puzzle as a present and bought me a guitar so I wouldn’t feel bad—talk about playing favorites! My father used to play in a band when he was young and had some degree of underground success, so I guess she wanted me to follow in his footsteps.
I was sent to the conservatory to learn classical music. By the time I was 10, I hated it all. I didn’t want to touch the guitar again or even listen to music. When I was a teenager, I rediscovered music and haven’t stopped since.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Wow, that’s difficult because there are so many. I would love to play with Mark Knopfler because I’d learn so much, and the same goes for Paul McCartney. When it comes to the indie scene, there are lots of interesting artists. It would be cool to collaborate with Alex Turner or Julian Casablancas.
Sometimes, I come across songs that instantly make me feel like, “Hey, I could’ve written that!” That happened to me with The Element of Surprise by The Last Shadow Puppets. For newer examples, I’ve been listening to Jade Bird, Pickwick, Saint Motel, and Band of Skulls—all of whom are pretty interesting.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I’ve already performed at some festivals, so I’m not sure if playing at, say, Glastonbury would feel all that different, aside from the scale. Don’t get me wrong, I’d be thrilled to perform at such events, but if I had to choose, I’d want it to be a unique experience for me as well. In that regard, playing at Burning Man would fulfill that condition.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Oh, some things can’t really be told! But the funniest one happened in Bolivia when I played at a festival there. The day after the show, I was walking down the street and a drunk guy showed up, said “Hey, Schneider, this is for you!” and handed me his beer can—half-drunk, of course. I think that might be one of the weirdest things I can share.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Live your life as your own. Don’t take any bullshit from anyone. You’re the protagonist in your life and should explore all aspects of yourself, even those that are frowned upon. When it comes to me and my music, try to understand the underlying idea, which is more emotional than whether the lyrics say something specific or the music sounds a certain way. That’s the true value of what I’m trying to do.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Can’t I bring them all back? One of them would be John Lennon, and I’d love to have a long talk with him about life. I bet he has a lot to say. I also wonder what Chris Cornell would be doing now.
However, if I could only choose one, I think it’d be David Bowie. He’s the best example of an eclectic solo artist who was always ahead of his time. There’s so much more he could have done, and we’ll never know.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
What I enjoy most is making my passion come alive. There’s a sense of purpose to it, as opposed to doing something just because you have to. Music helps you grow in every way—physically, intellectually, emotionally. No time spent on it is wasted.
I’ve reached a stage where I don’t hate anything about it anymore, but it took a lot to get here. However, one thing I find abhorrent is how musicians starting out have to learn the ropes the hard way. I wish things were more transparent.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
It’s hard to pick just one thing because they’re doing a lot wrong. But one of the main issues for me is how little value music seems to have nowadays. Music adds so much to life, but this rarely gets reflected in how creators are compensated. Not only should musicians be paid fairly, but they should also be less anonymous, less generic.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked to people who liked a song on Spotify but had no idea who the artist was—or cared to find out. It’s just another track in their playlist.
It’s not all the music industry’s fault, though. However, it often seems like they have no idea what they’re doing. They should be ahead of the trends, not chasing after them. Illegal file sharing almost destroyed them, and it seems like no lessons were learned from that!
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
I don’t know if it’s my favorite, but after I released my first album, I experienced a personal tragedy and went through some really dark times. I stopped listening to music altogether. The first album I listened to after that was Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits. It really resonated with me during that period.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
I’m also an audio engineer, and I won’t bore you with technical details because that could take hours. So let’s set aside the “what sounds best” debate and focus on the experience. Personally, I’d say vinyl. I don’t have a turntable myself, but my parents did, and as a kid, playing vinyl was a whole ritual.
You had to go buy the vinyl, take good care of it (much more than a CD), watch it spin, check out the album art, smell it—it’s a complete experience that adds value to what you’re hearing.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I think it might be when I played at Enerpol Fest in Bolivia. The organization was great, the people were great, the stage was fantastic, and everything went perfectly. However, my latest gig here at the Wine Fest in Stuttgart was also really great. After the show, people came up to me and told me how touching the performance was.
That’s the best part of gigging—making people feel something.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’ll leave aside audio engineering for this one. Honestly, I don’t know, but it would have to be something that makes me feel fulfilled and allows me to create a connection between what I do and those who receive it. It might be painting, filmmaking, or even cooking—I’m not sure.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
First, I’d invite a homeless guy who used to roam my area. He was completely tattooed, had the All-Seeing Eye on his forehead, dressed like Jesus Christ, and would sit on a bench at the park for hours.
Second, I’d invite Buzz Aldrin. I’d love to hear his space stories and ask him about certain conspiracy theories.
Third, Elon Musk. I’d like to know what his next tweets (or whatever they’re called now) will do to certain cryptocurrencies, so I could buy a lot of them in advance. It’d be also interesting to discuss his vision for the future.
Fourth, Noel Gallagher. A student of mine told me his brother saw Noel at a shoe store in Buenos Aires, and he seemed like a down-to-earth guy. Maybe he could keep the conversation going and grease some palms so I could support Oasis on tour?
Finally, I’d invite King Charles—or if he’s unavailable, any other king or queen. I’d ask them how they really feel about who they are and the position they’re in. Royalty is such an alien concept for me that it’d be an enlightening experience.
What’s next for the band?
I’ll be releasing an album soon, so the focus is on that at the moment. After that, it’ll be all about growing on social media and doing live shows—hopefully! I’m also planning on being more in touch with people who like my music, and I’m brainstorming ideas on how to do that. More info will come soon.
What social media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
The best starting point is my website www.sebastianschneiderweb.com. There are links to my other social media there, including Spotify. You can also listen to my music there. If you want to jump straight into the music, this is my profile.
When it comes to videos, www.youtube.com/sebschneider is the way to go. I’ll be posting stuff more regularly there after the album is released.
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
It has elements of both, but it’s not a cake—not in my concept of what a cake is, anyway. I mean, it has a filling, a chocolate cover, and a spongy base, but saying it’s a cake would be like saying a cat is the same as a tiger. Yes, they’re similar, but they’re not the same.
In South America, a popular treat is called Alfajor. This is very similar to a Wagon Wheel but the classic one comes with a milk caramel filling. Everyone loves it but nobody would dare calling it a cake.
I feel like I’m in the Land of Cakes here in the Black Forest, and you’d never see Jaffa cakes next to, well, cakes. They’re next to biscuits here.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I think I’ve taken up enough of everyone’s time, so no. Thank you so much for the interview, and I hope that whatever it is we’re all looking for, we find it!
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