An Interview With The Rising LA-Based Singer-Songwriter INGRID SCHNELL On Her Breakout Debut EP ‘A New Tomorrow’ and Much More!

Get to know the LA-based singer songwriter, Ingrid Schnell!

She grew up in Arizona and decided to run off to LA

to join the music circus. Since moving there, she has studied under amazing mentors and expanded her repertoire to include performing in the local Jazz scene. She has also performed a cabaret in LA and NYC, released her first EP, offered her voice for background vocals in film and other projects and lead a local rock band. Ingrid is now collaborating with songwriters, releasing her music and helping others in their own musical journey.

On July 22nd, Schnell released her debut EP called “A New Tomorrow.” The first single released from it was “Songbird.”

Connect With Ingrid Schnell Here:

Website – www.ingridschnell.com

Instagram – www.instagram.com/ingridsmusic/

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/7erzYg2INWr0czJ3IEH0eO?si=BXvjTf4BRXG9pTOnUzlWjg

Itunes – https://music.apple.com/us/album/a-new-tomorrow-ep/1472287536?mt=1&app=music

CD Baby – https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/ingridschnell3

Youtube –https://www.youtube.com/user/ingridofficiamusicl

Learn more about Ingrid Schnell in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

Thank you for having me! It finds me on the coach of one of my cowriters as I wait for him to end his meeting before we start writing some songs for the next project.

Now that we are into the 8th month of the new year, how has 2019 been treating you so far? What are some goals that you have for yourself this year?

2019 has been wonderful!  My resolution this year was to stop hoarding my music and start sharing it with the world. I just had my EP release July 22^nd!!  Which was an incredible feeling to finally let go of the tracks and share them.

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Music has always been an important part of my life. I started dancing in my mother’s dance studio and would spend hours listening to music as I moved to it.  I didn’t start singing until I was about 16 years old. My sister begged for lessons and my mom had us both go together. From then on, I continued the journey moving to LA, songwriting, performing, and now sharing my music.

Making the choice to pursue my artistry wasn’t very easy. My family comes from a very traditional background, you get your degree and pursue something safe that you can rely on. I threw in a curve ball the day I said, “I am moving to LA because I want to sing.”  They didn’t know what to do other than say, but now that I have been working in the music industry I understand their sentiment. It certainly isn’t an easy path but as I have found my way, they couldn’t be prouder. My family are my biggest fans.

How would you say that music fulfills your life now?

This is a hard one to answer. It is very fulfilling but in many different ways. I love being able to be expressive through words, melody, and finding themes that I believe in. I also love collaborating with other artists and get inspired every time I work with talented friends. It drives me to push harder and try to be the best version of myself.  I also work as a vocal instructor which is another aspect of music that I love because I can share my love of music and voice with people who share the same passion for it.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career?

How happy it makes me is probably the biggest surprise.  It was my hope and the reason I pursued it.  I have found that surrounding myself with all aspects of music from singing, teaching, writing, collaborating, and sharing have been incredibly fulfilling and it allows me to do something different each day that’s within the realm of music.

What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

I think the opportunity to create something from nothing is the most challenging but also exciting part of it.  You never know where that next song is going to be pulled from and that is terrifying and exciting.

Let’s talk about your track, “Songbird.” What was the inspiration for it? How does it compare to your older songs? How would you say that it prepares listeners for your EP, “A New Tomorrow”?

Songbird holds a very special place in my heart. It’s about a person whom I loved very much but couldn’t love him back the way he loved me. It’s about letting the person go and moving forward.  It was the first song where I felt that I had finally found my voice.  I had written many songs before that but never quite felt that I was being completely honest. This one felt true to me and is one I feel very proud to share.

What was it like making the music video for “Songbird”? How creatively involved with the process were you?

The video was directed by Gregory Rizzi, a very talented film director who has a background in animation, visual effects, and screenwriting. He had a vision and I knew that I was in the best hands. I love the simplicity in capturing the performance which matches that style of the song. I feel that he did an incredible job and I am lucky that he wanted to work on it.

What was it like putting together “A New Tomorrow”? Did anything surprise you about the overall process? How long did it all take? How will you celebrate the release of the EP?

Putting “A New Tomorrow” together was exciting and terrifying. It’s always scary to share your music, you really are putting yourself out there. Some of these songs are incredibly personal. But I was so excited to release this EP, I see it as a new beginning of more music to come in the future. It really has inspired me to continue writing and sharing.

One of the surprises of making this EP was where the lyrics and feel of it went. It captures my journey from being single to getting married. One of the songs is the song I sang to my husband at our wedding!

I haven’t figured out when the celebration will be, but I know that we will definitely mark this day and have a release party in the fall.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started singing and writing songs?

I’ve grown in so many ways, one thing that now has stuck with me is to make music you love. People are going to try to push you in many ways and it’s really easy to get lost or feel like you are Sisyphus always fighting against an endless hill. But if you create something that you know is true to you then you will be proud to share it.  Every song is a small moment or a piece of yourself and staying true to you allows you to find your voice.

What are your thoughts on social media and using it to share your music with the world?

Social media is a great tool for musicians, I certainly am not strong at social media but I am learning how to utilize it.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

Favorites musicians would be Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, Bonnie Raitt, Carol King, Sara Bareilles, Lin Manuel Miranda, Alan Menken, Alex Lacamoire, and so many more. I love great songwriting that tell stories and I feel like all of these wonderful artists do that through lyrics, composition, or both. I would love to work with any of these artists, I admire their story telling and would love to soak in their knowledge.

Where can fans see you perform next?

I will be putting a release party together where I will be performing these songs and more in LA. If people want to stay in touch they can sign up for my email list on www.ingridschnell.com or follow my Instagram page @ingridsmusic.  I will make sure to let people know when that will be coming up.

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

I would have dancers and some fun effects, in the vein of Ed Sheeran’s, “Thinking out Loud” but with more of a theatrical feel like Greatest Showman. Michael Jackson always did an amazing job with his music videos integrating story, dance, and music.  I know that is big but I have always been such a huge fan of the stage and theater that the fantastical feeling of music and story have always caught my attention whether it was Disney animated movies to Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge or the many other musical movies I have grown up loving.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item would you take with you and why? 

A piano because that is my writing instrument. Hopefully that would never happen, because without a recording device I would struggle to remember what was written.

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

I’ll go with a movie! “500 Days of Summer” seems appropriate.  Most songs are about love and I think that something as fun and quirky as “500 Days of Summer” might be the right place for it.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I hope it inspires people to believe in love.  Every song has an aspect of it whether it’s being able believe in yourself and love yourself, having someone to lean on through a difficult time, falling in love, or committing to someone.  Every song has an aspect that entails loving someone and I hope that when people listen, they can feel that in the lyrics and melody.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

I hope people enjoy the songs. I have more music that will be coming out next year, maybe some Spanish tracks!  Thank you for supporting independent artists.