Australian country music star Melinda Schneider joins Paul Cashmere for an in-depth conversation about her new album Tender, her first collection of original songs in a decade.
In this Noise11 interview, Schneider talks about how the music industry has changed dramatically since her last original album and how she has had to rethink what success means in the streaming era. While chart positions once defined milestones, she says the deeper reward now comes from connecting directly with audiences through live performances.
Melinda Schneider reveals that Tender is the happiest album she has written, inspired by her long relationship with Choirboys frontman Mark Gable and their son Sullivan. The album features a duet with Gable on Together We Belong – a song she actually wrote just months after the couple first started dating – and a collaboration with acclaimed Australian guitarist and singer Diesel on the title track.
The conversation also explores the production of the album, which was guided by two very different producers: country specialist Rod McCormack and alternative rock producer Wayne Connolly. Their contrasting styles helped shape the sonic palette of the record.
Schneider also speaks emotionally about the loss of her longtime bass player Ian Lees, who had performed with her for 25 years. On tour she honours Lees with a tribute performance and a special moment during the show.
Beyond music, Schneider has also developed a passion for painting. During the pandemic she began creating abstract artwork and eventually painted a piece for every song on Tender, with the collection exhibited at Tamworth Regional Gallery.
The interview finishes with a preview of her next theatrical project – a stage show celebrating the music of Barbra Streisand.
Watch the full interview with Melinda Schneider on Noise11.
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