What is your name?
My name is Andrea Schmider

What is your genre of music?
Acoustic/Indie-Pop

Give us a little bio about you.
I was born at the gateway to the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. Even as a child and throughout my growing-up-years I loved to sing and would often be found putting all my emotions into belting out songs from Sunday school. In my teenage years, with influences ranging from Sandy Patti to Whitney Houston, I discovered a love for storytelling through songs. That’s when my very first songs were written. After years of performing in choirs and vocal ensembles, on stages like Theater National Bern and Parkarena Winterthur, I released my debut EP Beauty from Ashes in 2012, followed by the full-length album Promise of Spring in 2016 and the EP Movin’ On in 2023. I also earned my Masters of Advanced Studies in pop music at the Berne University of the Arts in 2018. Over the years I had a series of live performances, videos and radio features, and have now released my latest EP Potpourri— an invitation into a vibrant, heartfelt world shaped by life’s experiences.

What made you go into music?
For a very long time it wasn’t that much of a conscious choice but rather felt like a need. I feel most alive when singing and making music with others. Going into music professionally and even getting a master’s was due to some health issues that made working in an office impossible. That’s when I took the leap of faith, started doing vocal coaching, and devoted more time to songwriting and production.

Who are your influences?
Growing up I listened to a lot of female singers like Whitney Houston, Amy Grant, and Sandy Patti. For the current EP, I drew inspiration mostly from Nina June, Lana Del Rey, and Brooke Fraser.

Are you signed?
No, currently not.

You released your new EP ‘Potpourri’. Tell us more about the EP and the meaning behind it.
As a potpourri unites many forms, shapes and scents into something that can fill a room with beauty and fragrance, it is my hope that this collection of songs in different shapes, forms and scents does the same for the listener. Each song tells a specific story, inspired by my personal life.

Describe each track in two words.
Set the Sails: Open Seas
Fractured Beauty: Beautiful Scars
Lonely Streets: Belonging, Unfamiliar
Circles: Playful Letting-Go
Sweet Stillness: Dare to Be-Still

What was the writing and recording process like?
It often started with journaling and playing around on an instrument. That’s how I developed the first ideas for chorus and verse, and the topic of the song. I sent drafts to my good friend and wonderful songwriter Nadine Yomi in London. She gave feedback which I incorporated. We also met up on Zoom regularly to work on lyrics. I then met up with producer Manu Halter in the studio. We talked at length about how the EP should feel and searched for reference tracks. Then we played the songs together to get a feel for the melody, progression and pace. That’s how we started pre-production. We then had two days of recording with the band and one day with the string quartet. After that Manu edited, mixed, and we recorded vocals — followed by final mixing and mastering.

Who did you work with on the EP?
With Nadine Yomi — a good friend and very talented songwriter who co-writes with me. Potpourri was produced by the well-known Swiss producer Manu Halter from Studio21 in Berne. He had already produced my EP Movin’ On and we work well together creatively. He is also well connected to top musicians who have worked with well-known performers like Michael Patrick Kelly, Luca Hänni, and more. I recently ran into one of the studio musicians at an event and he told me he remembers the Potpourri session fondly — as a wonderful and creative experience.

Can we expect a music video for any of the tracks?
I’ve already published one music video for “Lonely Streets.” It came about very spontaneously with my friend and talented videographer Timothée Mägli. His little son loved the song and had it on repeat. We talked about it one morning over coffee, had an idea, and ended up filming that very evening in our neighborhood. The weather was perfect. Timothée sat in the back of my car (driven slowly by my husband) and pointed the camera at me while I walked down the street. It took three takes — and it was done.

Do you have any live shows or a tour coming up?
A tour for fall/winter is in the planning stage — but nothing is confirmed yet.

Where can we buy tickets?
Best to follow me on Spotify. Info will also be posted on my website www.andreaschmider.com, where you can subscribe to my mailing list for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

What else can we expect in 2025?
I’m planning some fall/winter shows, possibly another music video, and I want to get back to writing — which took a bit of a backseat during the release process.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Releasing music and touring with a band regularly, having management, and continuing to grow as an artist and songwriter.

What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever” — from Endymion by John Keats.

When you’re at a gig, what are 5 things you can’t forget?

• Ginger & honey for my voice
• iPhone (for photos, warm-ups, navigation, admin)
• Toiletries
• Signature hat and a cute outfit
• Merchandise

Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
All Socials