Keyboardist and perfector of the “the doughboy” meets “the running man,” Mike Schmid brings a refreshing perspective on life in the fast lane. Fresh on the heels of winning the Grand Prize in the USA Songwriting Competition in December and currently supporting artists throughout Southeast Asia, Schmid takes solace in the crazy and unpredictable life as solo singer-songwriter and professional keyboardist. His wide-ranging “electro piano dream pop” sound stretches from the corners of Top 40 pop hits to the melodic lullabies found in his solo Children’s album Let It Out. His influences are as numerous as they are diverse, including classical composers Chopin and Brahms, singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, and the inventive acts of Beck and Ben Folds. Gearing up for his tour with Interscope recording artist and last year’s American Idol runner-up, Jessica Sanchez, Schmid fills us in on his latest music developments,life on the road as keyboardist with Miley Cyrus, and why his dreams consist of garish neon anime with violent cuteness.
When did you first get into music?
I grew up in a musical household and began piano lessons at the age of five. My sister was (and still is) an incredible singer, and both my parents sang in the church choir. The radio was always on which cultivated my early love of oldies. Also, when I was five (it was a pretty important year for me), I got Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” on cassette that totally changed my life. As we got older, my sister and I later started writing songs together as teenagers.
When was the turning point (if not at least since age five) that you wanted to pursue the career of an artist?
Learning the piano had a snowball effect in my life. I started playing in school and church choirs, music theater orchestras, jazz bands, which then lead to regional and state choirs, and after high school I started winning national awards. Initially, my dream was to become a professional concert pianist. However, I learned that this was about as practical as becoming a professional poet or a professional unicorn whisperer. Thus, I went to school for film scoring at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Meanwhile, I won a national competition for piano performance and one of the prizes was a free recording session at a pro studio, so my sister and I wrote an album and recorded it. I realized that writing lyrics was a lot more fun for me than writing instrumental music, which led me to switch my major at Berklee to songwriting. I haven’t looked back since.
Any artists in particular that had influence on your musical and writing style?
I will always have a soft spot for Chopin and Brahms. My first insight into songwriting was heavily influenced by Aimee Mann, as I have a similar interest in dysfunctional relationships. Lyrically, I have always loved the heady spirituality of Sam Phillips and the dreamy poetry of Neil Finn. Musically, it was the inventiveness of Bjork and Radiohead that spun me off in new creative directions in terms of production. Ben Folds taught me that I could use my piano chops in a more liberal way. At this point, I am influenced by nearly everything. There’s just as much to learn from a Max Martin production of a Britney Spears song as there is from a brainy St. Vincent tune. You’ve got to let it all in if you want to get good.
How would you describe your sound?
Electro piano dream pop.
What’s been the latest & greatest with current projects?
I’ve been writing with a lot of DJs in Europe lately, which is a lot of fun. I just won the USA Songwriting Competition, so I’m looking forward to seeing where that takes me. I’m still playing with Miley Cyrus and am just about to head on tour playing for last year’s American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez. Meanwhile, I’m still writing and recording tons of material that I will release at some point.
What are a few artists you’re into as of late?
I’m obsessed with Earlimart. Technically it’s traditional instrumentation with guitar, piano, bass, drums…but they’re so inventive and psychedelic within that, and it just sounds so friggin’ good. The last few years I’ve been stuck on the two more recent Cardigans records, “Long Gone Before Daylight” and “Super Extra Gravity.” Some idea with just awesome sounds, and I could listen to Nina sing in her sleep. They have great guitar work and the songs are so incredibly melodic in a way that only Swedes can write. And Nada Surf! Gets me every time. Love their guitar voicing. Also can’t stop listening to Santigold, Passion Pit, Elizabeth & the Catapult, Metric, and Punch Brothers. Those are the highlights right now.
Playing with Miley Cyrus must garner some crazy crowds. What was one of your favorite shows you’ve played?
Playing “Rock in Rio” with Miley in Madrid for over 100,000 people with a cool breeze blowing through my hair while audience member’s zip-lined over the crowd; that was definitely a favorite. Another show we did in Guadalajara was a complete dustbowl. A huge cloud of stirred-up dirt all contained in a stadium made it very hard to see, stung my eyes and covered the view screens on my keyboard. That was an interesting challenge…fun though.
Do you have any rituals before performing?
Definitely. My throat can be a bit unpredictable, so I go off dairy two days before, conserve my voice, drink tea, down straight honey, do vocal warm-ups, gargle with salt water…it’s a whole rigmarole.
What inspires your creativity for this next album?
My son, clouds, conversations, fire, movies, my friends, the passage of time, video games, compassion, books, oceans, gadgets, spirituality…it’s all useful.
5 albums you want with you if you were the last person on earth.
Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Nada Surf, Let Go
Kathleen Edwards, Back to Me
Weezer, Pinkerton
Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Do you consider yourself a good dancer? What’s a staple move on the dance floor?
Absolutely not, I like to be behind an instrument. The dancing is somebody else’s job. My signature move is sort of “the doughboy” meets “the running man,” so you can imagine why I avoid it.
If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?
I’ve never been to Japan, and have been fascinated with their culture ever since I was young. I will go one day. Until then, I will dream garish neon anime dreams of violent cuteness.
Interview & Editorial by Allie Krummel
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