Danielle Schroeder: paying her way in pain (and folk songs)
Straight from Vancouver, Canada, a country that has recently been launching increasingly younger rock bands and pop divas, comes one of the most refined works by experienced musician Danielle Schroeder, a professional counselor who found in music a way to express what she deals with in her daily life, full of people’s demands, their different trajectories and, why not, their pain.
I think the main pain of life that I try and heal with music is when we feel consumed by the weigth and depth of loneliness and disconnection as a human being.
Danielle Schroeder
Since 2018, Danielle Schroeder has been emerging in the Vancouver music scene, with the release of her 2024 EP “Between Two Worlds” that has been well received by fans and press across the world. Suggestively titled “Later is Here”, the new album released this month features nine well-produced tracks that, in common, deal with human experiences inside the lyrics. According to Schroeder, the title “is all about the tendency to avoid or deny aspects of ourselves or relationship patterns that keep wanting our attention”.
With that said, “Later is here” is a well-constructed patchwork of sounds and influences that have marked Danielle’s life, a complete and intense journey guided by Danielle’s melodic vocals that recall singers of her generation such as Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs), St. Vincent and Sarah McLachlan, also Canadian. “Each song is a step on an intimate journey, a thread stretched between past and present, between personal history and collective memory“, explains the singer, gifting her audience with her fine art in the same way she gift her advised “clients” with her inner peace and sweetness. As the one of the most recent St.Vincent hits, she’s truly paying her way in pain.
2 5 Things about Danielle Schroeder
RC: Your new album is simply called “Later is here”. What did you mean when you tought about that line?
DS: The album title ‘Later Is Here’ originally came through as lyrics in one of the songs from the album ‘I’m Ready’ which is all about the tendency to avoid or deny aspects of ourselves or relationship patterns that keep wanting our attention. But as the full album was coming into form I realized these lyrics also carried meaning for the whole album, as each song is a step on an intimate journey, a thread stretched between past and present, between personal history and collective memory.
RC: The second track on your new album is called “The Ache of Living”. Given your professional background as a counselor, what would be the main pain of life that you eventually try to heal with your music?
DS: I think the main pain of life that I try and heal with music is when we feel consumed by the weigth and depth of loneliness and disconnection as a human being. In The Ache of Living it relates to the loneliness of grief that came as a dear friend was dying and then after she died.
RC: You come from Canada, a place that has provided excellent female artists to the world especially in the rock/pop field (The Beaches, Tate McRae…). Although your area of expertise is more indie-folk, how do you relate to this new generation and do you have any favorite new Canadian bands?
DS: I love seeing more Canadian artists being recognized around the world. I am so inspired by Allison Russell, Wild Rivers are a really neat band.
RC: It’s clear that you’re an artist who cares about your lyrics – they’re quite simple and contemplative at the same time. What literary influences influenced you when writing your music?
DS: You are exactly right, my lyrics are simple yet contemplative which is very intentional in my writing approach. I have been very influenced by poets and mystics, such as Mary Oliver, Rumi, in addition to songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman. I would say a lot of my songwriting comes intuitvely-emotionally and spiritualluy- as I contemplate feelings, thoughts, experiences I am going through personally or I am witnessing happening around me.
RC: We are in Brazil and I would like to know how this country – as well as its culture – is present in your work. Speaking of which, feel free to visit us.
DS: I would love to visit Brazil!!! Brazilian culture to me embodies so much of what I love and respect about life and being human- music, dancing, community, singing, pleasure and celebration. I love Brazilian music as its so emotional. I would love to collaborate and learn from Brazilian artists!!
“Later is Here”: Track by Track
Remember The piano on the opening track, reminiscent of Natalie Merchant, is a calling card for the rest of the album. “Be grateful you are alive” sets the melancholic tone of gratitude that permeates the entire work.
The Ache of Living Starting with the suggestive title, “The Ache of Living” is undoubtedly the album’s highest point, with a poignant melody and lyrics that address pain and hope.
Know Myself On the amazing “Know Myself”, Danielle’s vocal expression is so majestic that she lets herself be overwhelmed by the string orchestra. As listeners, we follow along, equally moved by such purity.
I’m Ready One of the most folky tracks on the album, the influence of artists like Sheryl Crow and Tracy Chapman is undeniable here.
Redwing Blackbird From folk straight to pop, Redwing Blackbird is one of those tracks that makes you want to whistle while your car is stopped at a traffic light.
Undertow If Danielle were an 80s hard-rock songwriter, “Undertow” would definitely be her go-to power ballad to bring tears to the audience.
Meandering Time One of the most sophisticated—and beautiful—tracks on the album. It’s proof that Danielle is an artist who still has a lot to offer the world.
When All Is Torn Probably my favorite, it reminded me of the drama of “I know its over” by The Smiths, in which the same phrase is repeated tirelessly in order to extract an increasingly deeper emotion.
Snow With a touch of trap, EDM, and very reminiscent of the pop versatility of singers like Dido, “Snow” closes the album in an optimistic and, why not, fun way?
What about you? Tell us in the comments what do you think about Danielle Schroeder’s new album.
