Sarah Schonert (Peoria, IL) combines classical-sounding piano with ambient washes, vocoded synths, electronic elements, and layered vocals, and she is not afraid to experiment with vintage instruments as well as new technology to create her sound. From what was heard by listening to her newest release "Penguin Party" it can be said that it's quite engaging. The sophistication of Sarah's craft and style create a mood and energy rarely experienced.
"For "Penguin Party," I chose to stick to the keyboards and loopers to focus on creative a more energetic album that people would want to move to. It also gave me a chance to experiment with some new ideas, such as using vocoder to make a drum track drive a bassline, looping live, and extravagant piano ornaments."
The artwork for Penguin Party features photography by Brian Rowe (argentography.com), taken on film using vintage cameras to counter Sarah's digital sound.
- Visit her Bandcamp pre-order link to stream her current public tracks and to purchase her new music in CD format or in digital format.
Press Quotes:
"Sarah Schonert creates music that is gorgeous from every angle." - Paste Magazine
"Sarah continues pushing her creative boundaries with an interesting and unique mix of piano-based, vocoder infused, ambient, avant-garde pop." - Middle Tennessee Music.com
- (Both quotes are from the release of "My Unwinding State" in summer 2016).
Accolades:
Won the 2016 Women in Charg3 Music Award for best album with "My Unwinding State".
Artist Links
Website
Google
Facebook
Spotify
Instagram
Twitter
Bandcamp
Soundcloud
Youtube Channel
'Penguin Party' Track List:
1. Astound Me
2. Tree with Feet
3. Queen of Panels
4. Queen of Panels Outro
5. Penguin Party
6. Listen Soak Repeat
7. I Can't Think Straight
8. Glacier Dive
9. Irrelevant
10. NonCrystalline
11. Overdriving Headlights
12. You Still Awake
13. Get Thee to a Nunnery
Musicians:
Sarah Schonert: Vocals and Keyboards
Brett David: Bass (on Queen of Panels)
Styles: Adult Contemporary, Experimental, Indie-Pop
Similar To: Imogen Heap, Kate Bush, Enya, SOHN
Release Notes:
Penguin Party features mostly keyboard and looper work with some Seaboard and Vocoder thrown in for good measure. I hung up my guitars and accordion for this album so I could focus on writing and experimenting.
Artist Biography:
Sarah Schonert is a Creative, writing, recording, and producing original pieces out of her home studio in Peoria, IL and coming out with her third LP, "Penguin Party." Her second LP, "My Unwinding State" has garnered over a dozen reviews/interviews/features and an award, and hasn't slowed down, releasing two instrumental albums between LPs.
Sarah is a multi-instrumentalist and singer that loves her gear and software. Her style is rooted in classical piano, supported by electronic vsts, loopers, ambient washes, carefully crafted arps, and assorted instruments she has collected over the years. Her sound is eclectic, ethereal, dreamy, haunting, and unexpected.
When gigging around Peoria, Sarah has been adding loopers and vocalizers to her set, creating an otherworldy live music experience.
Sarah has written, performed and produced seven albums out of her home studio, including 3 instrumental EPs. Sarah is also an acrylic painter and an electrical engineer who likes to keep herself very busy.
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