Biography

Thunder in my Arms, Schneckenburger’s first release of all original music, is a song cycle about attachment and trauma. After decades as a traditional fiddler and ballad singer, Schneckenburger’s personal experience as a foster parent ignited her drive to write stories of family attachment and loss. Sung from a myriad of viewpoints, Thunder in my Arms can be at times brazen and childish, resilient and triumphant, softly confessional, or warm and comforting. Schneckenburger says “At a certain point I noticed that everyone we turned to for help with parenting was talking about the same thing: finding compassion, synchronicity, and understanding. In my attempts to be a better adoptive parent I found plenty of invaluable books and workshops that got that point across, but no songs! Music has this magical way of communicating emotion almost instantly, and allows human beings to synchronize with each other on so many levels. I set out to write songs that would resonate with other parents like myself. Songs about loneliness, exhaustion, beauty, abandonment, love, loss, and above all, hope.” The sonic tapestry of Thunder in my Arms is a sharp contrast with her previous recordings. Rooted solidly in a foundation of drums and bass, the songs swell with electric guitar, piano, and strings, and at times explode with brass and saxophone. Above it all rides Schneckenburger’s expressive vocals, with the lyrics driving it all home.