Bob Schneider wrote all the songs, sang all the vocals, played all the instruments, recorded and mixed all the tracks, and even painted the cover art for his new album "When the Sun Breaks Down on the Moon"- an endearing and admirable feat in the age of lip syncing and straight-from-the-can artists. We thought the release of his new album was as good a reason as any to find out a bit more about Bob Schneider:
R13: You’ve done your fair share of interviews and seem to be asked a lot of the same questions- do you ever get sick of talking about certain subjects in interviews?
BS: Yes.
R13: 'When the Sun Breaks Down On the Moon' has such a fresh, earnest
feel to many of its tracks; how do you keep that pure, almost naïve vibe to your songs when you've been writing and playing for so long?
BS: Well, all these recordings were done the day I wrote the song, and I’m usually excited when the song first is written. It’s like a present you receive, so a lot of the recording that you hear on this record I was hearing for the first time as I was recording the parts. There is a magic to the demos that you really have a hard time reproducing later on in the studio, and so I thought it would be nice for the listeners to hear what these things sound like the day they are born, so to speak.
R13: I find your music uncomfortable to listen to, but I love that.
What reaction do you hope to get from people?
BS: Some people like what I do and some don't. I try not to take it
personally. There is a lot of music that I can appreciate that I wouldn't take the time to listen to. That doesn't make it bad music. It just doesn't resonate with me emotionally. Also, I think music should touch the listener somehow. I like getting scared when I listen to music. That’s my favorite. Goosebumps, but I’ll settle for tears for sure. If a song can make me cry, I’m hooked forever on that songwriter. If none of those work, then I’ll settle for something that will make me dance.
R13: You played a lot of different instruments for your latest album
'When the Sun Breaks Down On the Moon'. When you play live with the band, do you ever miss getting to be the one to play certain instruments/parts of songs?
BS: Yeah. I like playing all those different instruments, but I love singing the songs live the best. It’s what I’m most comfortable doing live.
R13: Beyond a general connection with an audience, has there ever
been a time when someone in a crowd has piqued your interest?
BS: Yes.
R13: You've said before, 'The best songs are like if you are feeling
shitty and write a feel good song.' The sentiments in your songs are so genuine; how are you able to write emotions that you aren't feeling at that moment?
BS: I've always felt that it's better to have some distance from whatever you are writing about. All the songs that I’ve written while I was heartbroken tend to sound a little maudlin and overbearing after a while. My favorite songs that I’ve written always happened after the event, not during. That way there is some perspective. Just because it's true, doesn't make it
interesting (I stole that from Tom Waits I think)
R13: Have you ever felt creatively limited?
BS: Yes.
R13: How do you set about overcoming any limitations?
BS: The best way to write songs is to write songs. the minute you start
trying to write a great song is the minute that you are inundated with voices in your head judging what you are doing, which is what kills creativity. I just write whatever I’m supposed to write and figure out later if it's any good or not.
R13: How do you feel about your success?
BS: I am grateful to be able to make a living playing music, and at the same time I wish I was much more successful than I am at this point. I would
like to be as popular as Dave Mathews. Actually more popular would be great.
R13: So seriously, when are you coming to the UK? YouTube can only do
so much for us :)
BS: I'm ready to go.