Maggie Schneider – Tinted Glasses

By starrymag | April 30, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound as being singer/songwriter but with a bit of an edge. I’m heavily influenced by everything from pop punk (All Time Low, State Champs, etc.) to singer-songwriters like Sara Bareilles and Frank Turner. I also love musical theatre, and I try to make my music sound as unique as possible!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I have so many musical influences. My first influences were definitely the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift. They inspired me to pick up a guitar and start writing my own songs. Right now, I’m heavily influenced by Sara Bareilles, All Time Low, State Champs and even My Chemical Romance. I try to learn and take from their songwriting techniques, so I can become a more well-rounded artist. I’m definitely still a scene-kid at heart!

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Tinted Glasses.”

 

A) “Tinted Glasses” is all about the ups and downs of being in a relationship. It’s definitely the most personal song on my new EP because I put my whole heart into sharing my story. Being in any kind of relationship (whether it’s a friendship or a romantic one) and having the other person repeatedly hurt you and ignore you is rough. It’s hard to cope with that when you want to be with the person so badly. The song is about my own experiences getting through a relationship, which in the end, made me a much stronger person.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think everyone can connect to the feeling of heartbreak. We’ve all had our heart broken at some point in our lives! I like writing about topics that everyone can relate to, and I think that this song is one of the most honest tracks I’ve ever written. Fans connect to honesty.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video for “Tinted Glasses” definitely plays into the message behind it. I wanted the video to highlight the experiences I went through that inspired the song, and I wanted it to be as genuine as possible. It’s definitely a visual representation of what happened and how I felt over a year ago, when I was struggling to make the relationship work.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I typically write a melody or have a chord progression in mind before I can create the lyrics. Music comes so much more naturally to me, and so my writing flows better when I have a melody in mind.  I also love collaborating with other songwriters, which helps me think outside of the box! I only write when I’m inspired, and I never force it.

 

Q) Talk about working with Rian Dawson of All Time Low on the production of your album.

 

A) Working with Rian Dawson of All Time Low was the best experience of my career thus far. He is a wonderful producer and human being, and really took the time to listen to my music and collaborate to create the strongest four songs possible. He also played drums on the EP, which was so surreal to watch. He’s been one of my musical heroes for the longest time, and so having the opportunity to work with him on my music was incredibly humbling and inspiring.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Maggie Schneider performance?

 

A) Fans can expect a high-energy set, whether I’m playing with my full band or just with my acoustic guitar! I’ll probably say “Hell Yeah” a lot, too.

 

Q) What songs off your Tinted Glasses album are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) I love performing “695 North Avenue.” It’s such a fun song to perform live, especially around the Atlanta scene. The song is all about The Masquerade, a venue here in Atlanta, and so it’s always amazing to see my friends in other bands singing along and getting into it.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

 

A) I hope that listeners get a sense of who I am as an individual. I work really hard to make sure that my music is genuine, and I really value staying true to myself. I want listeners to feel something and relate to whatever I’m trying to say, and I hope that these songs inspire them to follow their dreams just like I am.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) My favorite venue to perform at in Atlanta is The Masquerade. Everyone who works at The Masq really gave me a chance and I performed there for the first time when I was twelve years old! Since then, they’ve really allowed me to grow and I dedicated “695 North Avenue” to them. I also got to perform at The Bitter End in New York City this past March, which was a dream come true. I grew up watching videos of Lady Gaga performing there when she was my age, so having the chance to sing and play piano on the same stage was truly an honor.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I would love to collaborate with Derek from State Champs on a song. I just think he’s a great songwriter and he has one of my favorite voices in the pop-punk scene. It would be a dream come true to write and sing a song with him!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I’ve been listening to The Wrecks a lot lately! Their EP Panic Vertigo has been on repeat lately and I dig them because they have such a new rock sound. “Figure This Out” is my favorite song on that record – they’re all so catchy and I think it’s the perfect EP for summer.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I think social media is so important. I’m not only a singer/songwriter, but I’m also a Junior Publicist at a music PR firm called Baby Robot Media. It is such a crucial way to connect with fans and to share music with people from all parts of the world. I love social media because it brings individuals from different backgrounds and places together, which is why it is such a great platform for artists. I love talking to my fans and sharing content with them via my social media profiles because it’s like we’ve created an awesome community!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I would like to thank everyone who has supported my work. It is truly mind-blowing to see that people from all around the world are listening to my music and responding so positively to what comes from my heart. I am so passionate about what I do, and I’m just getting started.