Email
Austin-based singer/songwriter Bob Schneider has been touring extensively in the past year in support of his 2011 album, “A Perfect Day.” He also is gearing up to release a new album in the fall.
Keeping busy is important for Bob Schneider. Whether it’s writing songs or going to the gym, the Austin-based singer/songwriter is always on the go.
“I’d save a lot more money if I were as disciplined with working out as I am with writing,” he quips after his workout. “I pay for a trainer, and it’s my cheapness that makes me go and work out. I need to get my money’s worth.”
While Schneider forces himself to work out, writing is something that comes easily. For the past 11 years, Schneider has been working with a group of friends with songwriting exercises.
 |
||
|
Bob Schneider With Joe West WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 14 WHERE: Santa Fe Railyard Plaza, 332 Read St., Santa Fe HOW MUCH: Free |
|
|
“What we do is pick a phrase every week and then we have to write a song,” he says. “We have a week to get it done, and it helps keep my writing skills on point.”
And there is a downside to being in such a group.
“I have written about 1,500 songs,” he says, “which gives me plenty of material to pull from when it comes for albums. I’ve also had the idea of putting together a compilation of the demoed songs out. It will have from 800-1,000 songs on it.”
Before Schneider gets that project going, he’s gearing up to release a follow-up album to his 2011 release, “A Perfect Day.” He says the record is already done and just needs to be mastered.
“It should be out in the fall sometime,” he says. “It has 16 songs right now, but the count could go down to 12 by the end. The other tracks will probably be billed as exclusives through Amazon and iTunes. I try to not be involved too much with the marketing stuff.”
Schneider is a fixture on the Austin scene, having kicked around for years in various bands before embarking on a solo career in 1999.
He was born in Michigan and partially reared in Germany. He dropped out of the University of Texas at El Paso to front his first band, the funk and rap outfit Joe Rockhead. The band released three independent albums before disbanding.
In 1997, Schneider went on to co-found The Scabs, where he made a name for himself as a frontman. His profile also rose when he was in a two-year relationship with actress Sandra Bullock.
Reprint story -- Email the reporter at agomez@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3921
