Dangerous Fruit $6.42

About Dangerous Fruit

As a testament to the magic that can happen when an unexpected collaboration hits its stride, Stephanie Schneiderman delivers a new recording that transcends genre and defies convention. Dangerous Fruit reveals songs that artfully combine pop, trip hop, soul, electronica and folk, as well as the talent and vision of two established, yet very different NW artists. Fans of Goldfrapp, Feist, Suzanne Vega, Beth Orton, and Iron and Wine will feel at home in Dangerous Fruit.

Dangerous Fruit retains the rootsy flair, distinctive vocals and intricate songwriting that - along with her five previous solo albums and acclaimed work with popular regional act, Dirty Martini - have solidified Stephanie Schneiderman as a premier NW performing songwriter. It also launches her sound in a completely new, uncharted direction.

The catalyst for this is her musical partnership with one of the most prolific electronic musicians/producers/DJ’s in the NW –Keith Schreiner. Known throughout the Northwest for his work with Dahlia, Auditory Sculpture and Suckapunch, his resume with Grammy-winning artists Jeff Trott, Sheryl Crow and Dr. Dre/Eminem’s producer Mike Elizondo, as well as Banco de Gaia, Corinna Rep and Minnie Driver, speaks for itself.

"Recording with Keith was unique for me in so many ways,” recalls Schneiderman. “I was willing to let go and experiment with different textures against my songwriting and what surprised me the most is how beautifully the sounds fit the songs. The lyrics became more interesting, the melodies more soulful, and the songs more evocative."

The duo made fast friends in the studio, deconstructing nearly all of Schneiderman’s tunes, only to mold, stretch and pull until the right home was found for each. The lead off track, “20 Slivers,” which began as a typical guitar-based folk song, became an Isaac Hayes-style, down tempo groove with Stephanie’s vocals layered on top. “First Crack,” had 9 different versions until it settled into a striking atmospheric power ballad. And while many of the tracks evolved from songs that were already written, others like the Sade-inspired “The Dark is Easier,” were composed in the studio.

“Not many artists would allow a producer to take them on this kind of ride,” said Schreiner, “But Stephanie was down to roll with all of it. Because of that I think we ended up with something that has upped the ante for singer songwriters, showing what they can do with their songs when they look outside the box and use the studio as an instrument for creation instead of a place merely to record their songs.”

The partnership has also effectively sparked a powerful live trio project including James Beaton (Storm and the Balls, Everclear) performing throughout the NW and beyond.