Bio
Tim Schoen is a multi-instrumentalist originally from New Jersey, and currently residing just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. While he now prefers playing bass, he spent his earlier years as a musician playing mostly guitar in clubs on the Jersey shore. "Lots of cover music, which was a lot of fun, especially in the summer months. I played sax and keys for a while too, until I gradually phased them out. It was getting to be too much to carry!" He played in several original bands as well. "Playing originals is different, because most of the time people are actually paying attention to the music", he continued. "When you're playing covers, you're more of a background for people who are out hanging with their friends, until you play a song they like, and then they're all of a sudden paying attention!"
Since moving to Nashville, Tim has focused mainly on playing for artists who are concentrating on getting their original music heard. A member of both Buster and Chakra Bleu, he's also been the bassist for Jessica Speltz, Justin Moore, Sami Jo, and Ilonka. He currently plays bass for Johnathan Pushkar. "I'm so lucky to be playing for someone who 'gets it', he says. "He's an amazing artist and a terrific songwriter. I've always gravitated towards bands whose members know how to 'play for the song'. It doesn't have to be about flash, how fast you can play something, or how much you can cram into three or four minutes. Sometimes less is more. Johnathan understands that, and it shows in his music. I think that has something to do with why I've been more focused on playing the bass in recent years, too. I enjoy being a part of something, contributing to what I like to call the bigger picture of sound. I don't know too many people who want to hear a ten minute bass solo, and I have no interest in playing one!"
While his passion is playing live, Tim also writes and records. "I have a love-hate relationship with recording. When it's going well, it's great. I love arranging songs and singing harmonies, but I've never considered myself to be a lead vocalist", he says. "When I record my own songs, I usually hate the sound of the vocals, or get frustrated with the process, so I end up just putting the songs 'out there', kind of as is. Either that or they get put away! It's really about having fun, so when it starts to become work, that's when I know the song is finished, in one way or another!", he says with a laugh. "Recording in a proper studio, especially with a band, that's a different situation altogether. I've never had the patience for a lot of the technical aspects of being a musician. I just want to plug in and play! So when someone else is pressing all of the buttons, I can concentrate strictly on the performance and be more of a perfectionist. That's when recording is really fun! But I still get the biggest high from playing in front of an audience. You have one shot to get it right, so preparation and consistency are key. And the payoff from the work you've put in is instant. Being a part of something that gives people joy, or allows them to feel any emotion, that's something special."
Tim's major influences are The Beatles, The Cars, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and The Everly Brothers.
-Billy Campbell
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