Frankly Speaking talks about his life and music

Hailing from Cincinnati, OH, Frankly Speaking is making waves in the music industry with his raw and honest lyrics combined with melodic riffs and catchy delivery. The result is his own unique style with proven appeal. In addition to captivating audiences every week in venues throughout the midwest, he’s independently reached nearly 500k views on Youtube. With hit singles like “Chasing Butterflies” he’s now garnered attention both locally and on the national level.

And now Frankly Speaking is releasing his new single “Stay For Awhile”. written and produced by Frankly Speaking aka Jordan Schnieder .

Twist Online : First of all tell us about the start of your music career.

Frankly Speaking : Well, I started playing piano at the age of 8 but that wasn’t really for a career per say. I would say my step towards career was when I wrote my first song which was in high school. I was listening to the song “I’d do Anything” by Simple Plan and wishing I had this girls attention but never got it. So I wrote a song called “Wasting all my time”, to the instrumental of that song, which later I got produced and it would be nominated at the LA music awards in 2008.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into the music industry?

Frankly Speaking : Coldplay, in particularly Chris Martin was very inspirational to me especially in the beginning. His melancholic piano chords and haunting introspective lyrics really hit me. Also Andrew Mcmahon from Jacks Mannequin. The way he played these pop punk piano riffs back n forth in a staccato style was something I still incorporate when I write. I was in a band in college and just played keys but by the time I was about to graduate I had written a few tunes and thru my bands connection got them produced by a friend of mine. After that I moved to LA to record for a couple years.

Twist Online : You have been featured on radio stations, your tracks got 500k+ views, you must be happy with the kind of response you are receiving?

Frankly Speaking : All in good time lol. It is def an amazing feeling to know how far certain songs are reaching around the world. I think the coolest thing was a few years ago when my sister heard one of my songs playing in a market in hawaii. I personally haven’t heard my song on retail radio but I know others have and that’s pretty cool. I guess I should shop more lol. 

Twist Online : Tell us about your recent release “Stay For Awhile”?

Frankly Speaking : So this song I wrote a few months back for/about my girlfriend at the time. I had always had that intro riff on the guitar in my head for what seemed like years and finally I started to write to it. At first it seemed a little too bob dylan esque which I didn’t want to totally copy (not that thats a bad thing), but after awhile of playing through it I liked the general direction parts were falling into place and just kept going with it. I always think the chorus should be a powerful grab for the listeners ears so I made it kind of a swaying back and forth feel and that drove a lot of the momentum in the song. Then putting a little harmonica solo brought it back to that bob dylan like folk style which I love. This is the first full song that I produced solely on my own so that’s very exciting. I arranged and played all the parts myself as well.

Twist Online : What kind of response are you expecting from this release?

Frankly Speaking : Just like any song I release, I hope people like it lol. But honestly its a sweet little love song that I hope people will appreciate that it came from the heart.

Twist Online : What attracts you more, Working in studios or performing on stage?

Frankly Speaking : Stage for sure. A studio you can manipulate sounds and redo takes… a stage, you are basically naked.

Twist Online : Do you need some specific kind of environment for writing tracks?

Frankly Speaking : You never know how lyrics will hit you. The other day I was driving in the car on a long road trip and I thought of 4 lines I needed to remember so I typed it into my notes while I was driving. I really find inspiration on snowy or rainy days though, not sure why.

Twist Online : Have you set any goals to achieve?

Frankly Speaking : Well this summer I was set to play my first two festivals (Bunbury and Bellwhether) which was a huge goal I had set but bc of covid, they both might be cancelled (Bunbury already announced they were cancelled but Bellwhether is set for august so who knows). I guess my next goal would be to be placed in a national commercial or tv/movie. Working with this new publishing company which are very connected so who knows It could happen sooner than later!!! My biggest goal would be to tour though.