With his latest album Son of the Sun just out, Seb Schneider kindly took the time to tell us a bit more about him and his music. And he absolutely nailed the response to our last question!
Simple things first – where are you from?
Well, it’s not so simple! I was born and raised in Argentina, but I’m also German. Throughout my life, there’s been a strong influence from both local and German culture. As I grew older, I became quite involved with the English-speaking world, especially the U.S. So, I guess I’m a blend of all those things.
How long have you been playing as a solo act?
Since 2004/2005, when I released my first album. I was playing in a band at the time, and my manager suggested I become a solo artist.
What are your influences?
Too many to list! There are “base” influences—mostly classic rock acts I encountered in my early years like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Guns N’ Roses, and so on. Then there are newer influences, as I’m constantly on the lookout for fresh music.
For instance, my album Something Strange Happened Here was heavily influenced by The Last Shadow Puppets and maybe The Fratellis. But the album I’m releasing soon is different. I’ve been listening to about 100 new artists this year, and all that affects what I create, whether I realize it or not.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
I’m not sure exactly what it is, but everyone I talk to says my music “sounds like me.” I’m very eclectic in my tastes, and I have a lot of my own thoughts and feelings to express—both musically and lyrically.
I don’t follow a specific formula. The way a song turns out depends a lot on how it starts. For example, if I begin by playing some licks on my guitar, it’ll turn out very differently than if I start by writing words on a page. I think this freedom comes through in my music, even if you can’t quite put your finger on what it is.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Lyrics are a strange beast. Some people say my lyrics are vague or hard to understand, while other lyrics are pretty explicit. For me, the words aren’t meant to be taken literally.
Writing music is my way of communicating something deep inside me. I’ve found that the combination of music and lyrics is a powerful vehicle for transmitting that. Together, they form an emotional message. So, it’s less about what the words say and more about how the whole package makes you feel.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
I have two main formats—either with a band or solo. No matter the format, I try to keep things interesting beyond just playing music. Sometimes I use props, and I always try to interact with the audience, making them feel like they’re a part of the show.
It’s an energetic experience. I’ve learned a lot from artists like Freddie Mercury and Steven Tyler, and I love that “stadium rock” vibe they had. I try to bring some of that energy into my performances, too.
I’ve played more shows than I can count—well over hundreds by now.
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What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
There was this one time a drunk guy came up to me while I was playing electric guitar. He grabbed my acoustic guitar, which was just sitting there, and started fooling around with it. He nearly knocked over the PA system! Then, he hugged me and handed me some coins. It was both hilarious and stressful.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
I’ve always loved my James Burton Telecaster. It has three pickups and is super versatile. You can do country or make it sound a bit like a Strat—it’s a hell of a guitar and really comfortable.
Lately, I’ve been using my Ibanez AR520 HFM a lot. It’s an incredible guitar, especially for the price. It’s versatile, great for overdriven sounds, and being semi-hollow, it’s lighter than my Tele, which is nice for long shows.
For effects, I’ve ditched my multi-FX pedals in favour of a laptop with guitar FX plugins and amp/cabinet simulators. Since I use a lot of effects and different distortions, constantly pressing pedals was restricting my movement on stage. Now, with the laptop setup, I can sound consistent no matter where I play, and I have more freedom to perform.
This allows me to sound consistent no matter where I’m at.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
I’m promoting both my newest single “Keep Them Waiting” and my upcoming album Son of the Sun. The single was released with a music video and, thankfully, it’s doing pretty well. It seems to have resonated with people.
But the album is the main focus. It’s been 5 or 6 years since my last release, so this is a big deal for me. It’s long overdue, but the extra time only made it better.
What are your plans for the next 6 months or so?
After releasing the album, I’ll be focusing heavily on social media. As an independent artist, producing an album is a huge effort, and I don’t want that to go to waste. The more people know about it, the better. Whatever I do, though, I want to offer value to whoever is watching or listening.
Then, I’ll shift my focus to live shows. I’ve barely played this year because I’ve been busy producing the album and the music video. Now that those are done, it’s time to get back to gigging.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting, and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
If you ask me this question a week from now, I’d probably give you a different answer! But for now, I’d say Oasis. Just about the time I released my single, they announced their reunion, so it feels like a no-brainer. It would be amazing to support them.
As for the opening act, I’d probably go to a random pub and give a shot to a band that’s really working hard to make it. I wish someone had done that for me when I was starting out, so why not?
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