We had the good fortune of connecting with Brett Schieber and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brett, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I didn’t have a choice, really. I have to write and play music in order to keep myself happy, despite the Great Wall of Indifference, mockery, and/or lack of any remuneration.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an independent musician in Atlanta. I’ve been doing this a long time and I do several different projects. I have my solo music, a duo named Arcanum that I am the musical half of, and Mark D. Pencil and Friends, which is my most commercially successful, actually. It’s educational music for kids that I started with my great friend, Professor Ace. I’ve done the last several albums on my own because he’s been busy doing other things. Anyway, the idea was to make contemporary pop music with educational content over it (basic reading and math facts, brain breaks, social skills, etc). I also have a new “rock & soul” project that I’m very excited about. I’m getting different singers on each song and it’s been a lot of fun. It’s terribly difficult to get anyone to listen and any success I’ve had has really come from just word of mouth. I feel very grateful to be making a profit on my music because, let’s face it, the majority of musicians don’t. So, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to simply never give up. Keep writing and playing, if it’s something you really have to do I order to feel happy and fulfilled in life. Don’t expect anything more than the satisfaction of creating something. Don’t base your self worth or the worth of your art based on what others say (or the lack of what they say).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Piedmont Park, the Aquarium, the Battery, and all the great places to see good concerts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I played a lot of my personal music with my great friends Darrell Leven, Daniel Taylor, David Goodwin, and Gavin Fisher. I began my Mark D. Pencil and Friends educational music with my great friend, Professor Ace, but have done the last several albums on my own because he’s been busy doing other things. I make my Arcanum music with another great friend and excellent singer named Tree.

Website: MarkDPencil.com

Instagram: @brettschiebermusic and @markdpencil

Twitter: @brettschieber and @markdpencil

Facebook: @brettschieber and @markdpencil

Youtube: @markdpencil

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/brettschieber/playlist/5xvA0jGbnYB9Msx1oFjS5T?si=OcZXFEwbTSym3Ovb2yBi6Q

Image Credits
Julio Sandoval

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.