Tag Archive for: stephanie schneiderman

For over two decades, Mike Collins has been one of the busiest and most sought after drummers and percussionists in the Pacific Northwest.

He’s a graduate of the Musicians Institute of Technology and has studied independently with drummers Michael Shrieve (Santana, George Harrison), Zoro (Lenny Kravitz, Sean Lennon), Graham Lear (Santana, Reo Speedwagon) and world renowned instructor Chuck Silverman.

He’s played venues throughout North America sharing the bill with artists such as Little Richard, Cheap Trick, Joan Jett, Cake, Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, George Clinton, Sara Mclachlan, Jason Falkner, Gin Blossoms, Sebastian Bach, Veruca Salt, Soul Asylum and many others. His drumming and songwriting has been featured on local, national and international television and radio. Mike was also the featured drummer on Portland’s American Idol knock-off “Gimme The Mic”.

Collins has recorded and/or performed with notable artists such as Earl Slick (David Bowie, John Lennon), Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X), Cy Curnin (The Fixx), Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, R.E.M.), Tim Smith (Sheryl Crow, Jellyfish), Freedy Johnston (Rolling Stone “Songwriter of the Year”), David Paton (Pilot, Alan Parsons Project ), Lisa Germano (John Mellencamp, Jewel), Danny Peyronel (UFO, Heavy Metal Kids), Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network), Dilana (The Voice, Rockstar Supernova), Gil Assayas (Todd Rundgren, T-Pain), Keith Slettedahl (The 88, Ray Davies) and a who’s who of local artists including Jon Koonce, Terry Robb, LaRhonda Steele, Stephanie Schneiderman, Thrillbilly, The Nowhere Band, Throwback Suburbia, Ants In The Kitchen and many more.

Collins has also recorded with acclaimed producers Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, John Lennon, Cheap Trick), Mark Plati (David Bowie, Prince, The Cure), Jonathan Plum (Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains), Marc Desisto (U2, Pink Floyd), Jeff Stuart Saltzman (Death Cab for Cutie), Gregg Williams (Dandy Warhols, Sheryl Crow), Duane Scott (ELO, Heart), Brian David Willis (Brad Paisley, John Fogerty), Chris Manning (Jellyfish, Santana), Kelly Gray (Candlebox, Queensryche), Kevin Hahn (Scorpions, Paul Gilbert) and Rob Daiker (Katy Perry, Dan Reed Network) to name a few.

Mike is not only a phenomenal drummer, but will be debuting his brand new Rooftop Screamers single “Souvenirs” (feat. Randy McStine)!  Can’t wait to catch back up with this talented buddy of mine! As promised, here’s the video of this gorgeous tribute to his grandmother Penny:

Trying to pin down Stephanie Schneiderman to any one genre, talent or discipline is next to impossible. One thing is clear however- whether pursuing her prolific work as a solo artist, playing drums for all star roots pop act Swan Sovereign (Dirty Martini), producing, acting, or giving back, Schneiderman is hands down one of the most diverse and hardest working artists the NW has to offer.

As singer-songwriter, her solo career began with a coveted spot in the Lilith Fair. From there, she went on to receive extensive NW radio play, tour internationally, and earn music placements in numerous films and primetime TV shows, including Felicity, Vampire Diaries and many more. She has played with some of the nation’s top touring acts- from Aimee Mann to Hall & Oates, Heart, and Train- and enjoyed ongoing success with popular NW all-female groups Dirty Martini and Swan Sovereign. She has stepped on stage in the musical The Full Monty, appeared in major television commercials and films, and even produced the soundtrack for 3 popular children’s DVD’s (Oy Baby and That Baby) selling more than 75,000 combined units.

Above all her accolades as an artist, Schneiderman has a keen passion for activism. She organized Portland’s first humanitarian concert series, Voices for Silent Disasters, which raised $70,000 for Mercy Corps in northern Uganda, and is currently penning a musical that raises awareness about human trafficking.

Schneiderman has eight solo recordings under her belt – Stephanie Schneiderman (1999), Unbelievably Unbroken (2001), Fall Sessions EP (2001), Touch Down (2004), Live at Kung Fu Bakery (2005), Dangerous Fruit (2008), Rubber Teardrop (2011) and Live at The Old Church (2013), plus four releases with her collaborative bands Dirty Martini- Dirty Martini (2004), Tea and Revenge (2007) and Swan Sovereign – Arctic (2014) and Valentine (2017).

Later in 2021, she will release her ninth solo album, Crossfire. The new recording combines her past sonic explorations—folk, Americana, trip hop, and pop—into a beautifully dark and deeply introspective recording that is as fresh as it is compelling. Funded by pre-purchases and house concerts, Crossfire is a self-released labor of love that celebrates her community and newfound artistic freedom as producer, and will be enjoyed by anyone looking to sit down with a timeless and great record.

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