A love song for my betrothed...

I wanted to write a love song for my future-second-and-final wife, Jessica Nicole Steiner. I initially intended to work on it in secret and give it to her on December 16, 2020 which will be our wedding anniversary beginning next year, but I suck at lying and hiding things. I already used all of my discretion when planning our engagement last year in front of most of our family and friends at one of my shows. I couldn't hold back this time around, and I had to share it with her as soon as I got the rough draft down. 

One of our favorite bands that we listen to together is Mumford & Sons - I proposed last year after performing their song "Forever" - so I wanted to write a song that captured that style. I wanted to keep the instrumentation raw and acoustic, not just for the style, but also as part of the message: this is who we are, - with no filter; no mask - and that is all we need. There is some spiritual imagery here as well, so I wanted to capture some of that with the organ and a choir of voices. The lyrics are not only the truth of our journey so far, but sprinkled with lots of references to our lives and experiences together (ie. Our cats our named Dylan and Cash, and its not by accident that i reference two famous song titles by each respective artist).

Journey before destination; the most important step we can take is always the next one.

Lost

A cover of Bruises by Lewis Capaldi featuring Teresa Zelnis, a good friend and colleague.

This is the first cover that I've recorded in the studio rather than simply performing live. I was somewhat familiar with this song, but had only heard Lewis Capaldi on the radio. This is the first of many tracks to come that will involve Teresa as we works on her own original songs, and this is a nice way to dip her toe in (pun intended, both in regards to the lyrics of this track, and that we both work around pools).

This song took me back to a place where many of us have been, where someone or something you love takes root so deep into your psyche particularly when you are young and this may be the first time you experiencing those types of feelings on such a grand scale. The kind of things that is buried down so deep in your subconscious, that despite feeling like the wounds have long been healed, you wake up in a cold sweat after you've just experienced the most vivid and heart-wrenching dream, over a decade later and you think to yourself, "what the f**k was that?" My own life-long journey of companionship has had its share of twists and turns over the years. I believe I have found the part of that journey where I won't have to find myself having to go on alone.

Bruises (Cover) feat. Teresa Zelnis

Original works by Schmidt are eclectic, yet thoughtful, alternative pop/rock. Schmidt also performs popular music covers, both current and classic, kept fresh and unique with looping beats and guitar licks alongside harmonizing voices.

Lost

Schmidt

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