Exclusive Interview with DANA SCHINDEL

Dana Schindel is thrilled to announce the release of her debut single “Keep Moving Forward”. “Keep Moving Forward” is an uplifting song that recalls the story of some fantastic advice given to Dana by her cherished father. This story-telling country song begins simply and builds into an inspiring anthem suitable for anyone in need of heartfelt encouragement in these times.
Dana, who has already worked as a stage and television actor, is now prepared to share her unique music with the world. Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, and Cher were the first triple threats she saw composing and singing their own stuff, and she has continued to add to this group of strong female artists forging their own paths with Shania Twain, Kelsea Ballerini, and Alanis Morissette.

Dana sings national anthems and halftime entertainment for the Burnaby Lakers, SFU Hockey, and Whitecaps FC2 as a live performer. Dana’s live performance skills are well-known, and she has been in numerous productions alongside Canadian giants Jeff Hyslop, Max Reimer, and Jim Hibbard. Dana sang, acted, and played music onstage in United Players’ production of “Emilia,” directed by seven-time Jessie-winning director Lois Anderson. Check out the song “Keep Moving Forward” and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

DANA SCHINDEL: I grew up in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, spending part of the summers camping in the forest and going to the farm my dad grew up on in Saskatchewan.

Some of my earliest memories are of making up songs in my head – for the longest time, I thought that’s what everyone did. Eventually I started writing them down and realized I was a songwriter but it wasn’t until the sudden and unexpected death of my dad that I knew I wanted and needed to share them.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

DANA SCHINDEL: Melodies have always floated through my head and I’ve always loved lyrics. I studied poetry and literature at school and in my work as an actor I’ve spent a lot of time studying stories and how we tell them.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences?

DANA SCHINDEL: I got a great mix of musical influences growing up. My mom introduced me to the triple threats she loved, Barbra Streisand, Cher, Bette Midler, and Dolly Parton, and my dad loved to blast rock and old country radio and sing along as we were driving. Combined with the weekly top 40, where I always looked forward to Shania Twain and Alanis Morrissette, I had a great foundation listening to and appreciating music across genres.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

DANA SCHINDEL: ‘Keep Moving Forward’ is my first releaseand I hope it resonates with anyone working on a goal – if it’s a big dream or if that goal is making it through a day when you feel stuck. My songs tell stories and are for listeners who want to feel their feelings – happy, sad, excited, celebratory, heartbroken, in love, alive.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style?

DANA SCHINDEL:

Training in dance and doing musical theatre were my first experiences performing and I learned musicality and to shape myself to the story of the song. Getting to be on stage now, performing my own songs in my own voice, is vulnerable and that much more exciting because it is really me up there, not a character speaking through a script.

I’ve always loved the heart of country music – how we sing about the good times and the bad times and everything in between. I’m so happy to be making music that might be keeping someone company the way country music has kept me company in life.

6. Could you describe your creative processes? How do you usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

DANA SCHINDEL:

It usually starts with a thread of melody or a line of lyrics I really like. Sometimes they’re together, sometimes they’re just words or notes or music with a specific beat. I reach for my phone and record them and then it’s a matter of puzzling together where in the song they should be – is it the verse, a chorus, the bridge, a hook? – and building out from there. It’s so satisfying when a song I can hear in my head is recorded and other people can hear it too.

7. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

DANA SCHINDEL:

From the outside, you don’t see how much non-music work is included in making music. I’m grateful to all of the artists and creatives who share what they’re doing and how they are doing it – I’m learning so much as I go. Now that my songs are out in the world, I want as many people as possible to hear them, and I’m so thankful to everyone who’s sharing them!

8. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

DANA SCHINDEL:

One of my friends shared ‘Keep Moving Forward’ with her friend who’d just lost a loved one and was going through a really hard time. Her friend felt comforted and inspired by my song and wanted to know where she could listen again because it helped her.

I like people noticing the details of how I construct and perform a song and being recognized for my songwriting and the best recognition is someone saying, “I needed this. I need this. Where can I hear it again?” I cried when I heard that.

9. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

DANA SCHINDEL: What I love about music is that I can write about something very specific, from my own unique point of view, and then it can go out into the world and become what people need it to be. A song like Shania Twain’s ‘Still the One’ or Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ came from their own authentic life experiences and look how many people have embraced those songs as their own to express their love or belt out their feelings.

A great song stands on its own. A great song can be made greater when there’s a touchstone everyone knows about. Both are true.

10. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

DANA SCHINDEL: I’m always working on my craft so if criticism is constructive, I’m open to it. The kind of person we might call a hater is probably not someone offering anything constructive or someone who has an opinion we’d want to listen to anyways.

We’re all different and different music is going to resonate with different people at different times in our lives. Life is way more exciting being able to hear the tune we want to hear on this specific day at this specific time. I hope to be of service through my music and I’m here for you when you need it. I know that if I keep my focus on making music from the heart it can reach your heart.