"The History" is the sophomore release from Diane Schnier. The album has a great blend of singer songwriter rock, combined w. more eclectic atmospheric indie rock. The album should please many, from AAA fans to shoegazers alike. While the songs have a timeless quality to them, there is something very contemporary & progressive within the soundscapes of "The History".
Before Cowboys is a unique group comprised of husband and wife, Al & Diane Schnier; twin brothers Kirk and Ken Juhas; Al's band mate from his full-time band moe., Vinnie Amico; and long time friend Shannon Lynch - who all reside in various parts of Upstate, NY.
Diane is the sole writer in the band, with a simple, honest approach. Her husband Al, in addition to playing guitar, also produces her songs, adding texture, mood and finesse.
The music has elements which include americana, rock, indie, folk, singer/songwriter. There is a great deal of emphasis on the lyrics. As far as her writing goes, some of the artists Diane's been compared to are Neil Young (who is actually Diane's greatest influence), John Lennon, Lisa Loeb, Sheryl Crow and Ben Folds. If we were to talk about her vocal quality though, she simply sounds like herself. She has a unique, unassuming, gentle sound.
"This isn't about starting a career and making it big" says Diane, "It's about saying 'hi' to the world. Â How lucky I am to be in a position to do that. Â Cliche or not, It's my heart & soul." Â 'Cliche' by no means describes the content of the music, perhaps only the description of it as "heart and soul." Â As a lyricist, she's down to earth, honest and at once your friend, as she's got a special way of speaking to each of us on a personal level. Â Though, as heartfelt as many of the songs are, she's also got a lighthearted, quirky side that shines through, perhaps when you least expect it.
Al Schnier, writer, vocalist & guitarist of the band moe., has a great talent for taking his wife's music and tying it all together into one beautiful piece of work. "I've been Diane's number one fan since she first allowed me to hear those tapes under the bed. Her songwriting is simply brilliant, without a hint of pretense - I'm so jealous."
Kirk and Kenny Juhas, who actually initiated the band, are "good friends and masters of what they do" says Diane. After hearing her debut solo album entitled "Before Cowboys", they often mentioned how the'd love to back her up if she ever decided to play live. At that point, there was no band, no shows - as Diane is shy and apprehensive about being on stage. As she said it, "The thought actually never even crossed my mind. I considered myself more a writer than anything else. I was surprised to hear them [Kirk & Kenny] even suggest such a thing. I told them 'maybe' while I was really thinking 'NO WAY!', although at the same time - I was tickled pink at the thought." How's that for initial mixed feelings! Kirk and Kenny also have their own band, Okemah (formerly known as freebeer&chicken).
Vinnie Amico, long time moe. drummer and friend was a first choice of Diane's when putting the band together. Â "He is simply a rock solid, dependable drummer.....he's good glue!"
Shannon was invited to join the band a little later after Diane felt the need for another female vocalist. "On my first album, I sang all the harmonies myself. During live performances, with a male singing the harmonies, it wasn't quite the same and it didn't give me the support I needed. Shannon has a beautiful voice that brings out the best of me and of the songs. I'll never play a show without her again!" Shannon is a music teacher in Albany, NY where she resides. She and her brother also have their own band called "Lynch".
Diane's Debut album "Before Cowboys", released in 2004, which ultimately became the band name once it was formed, is comprised of 13 songs taken from a collection of 75 songs written by her in the mid-90's that were tucked under the bed & forgotten about. She and her husband play all instruments on the album, aside from a guest appearance by master Gordon Stone who plays pedal steel & banjo on a few tracks. Diane sings, plays piano, drums and percussion while Al covers everything else. "The History", Â on the other hand is a collaboration of the entire band, bringing Diane's songs to the next level. Gordon Stone also came aboard for a few songs on this album as well.
New slide show photos are from one of our recent shows @ The Waterhole in Saranac Lake, NY (11/10/07). Thanks so much to everyone who made it out to our shows. It was a fun weekend! I'm really getting the hang of this now =) New photos credited to my pal, Miss Jody Fenton ~ www.jodyfenton.com
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