THE CAP'N AND HIS CREW. Chris Schumacher (center) alongside his bandmates in the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie. Cap'n Seabeard released their debut album, Poor & Ignored, in April of this year. (Photo by Jake Peterson)

From the sandy shores of the West Coast, to the gritty skate parks nestled within the heart of the Midwest, a genre-bending ensemble continues to grow within the local music scene. 

The musical project of Cap’n Seabeard champions individuality — not as a fleeting trend but as a foundational principle. Chris Schumacher, the driving frontman of Cap’n Seabeard, embeds interpersonal narratives, exploring the complexities of human connection and isolation, within the bands’ lyrics and melodies.

Schumacher found his musical calling in the Chippewa Valley — the place he still calls home. He attributes his artistic inspiration to his formative years, shaped by family who introduced him to the vigorous worlds of punk rock and skateboarding.

“I'm really blessed because I've been around (music) as early as I can remember,” Schumacher said. “I've gotten to not only be around (these scenes) but see it done first hand by people that I admire and respect.”

During their early adult years, the artist traveled nationwide with Intuitive Compass, absorbing the timeless sounds of Western folk music and Americana motifs. The persona of Cap'n Seabeard emerged here — amidst the Californian shores — as he played in the sand, seashells adorning his beard.

Poor & Ignored album cover.

Schumacher’s first show captaining the stage took place in 2015 at Jeremiah’s Bullfrog Fish Farm (N1409 566th St., Menomonie).

10 years on, Cap'n Seabeard has released one EP, Here and There, and debut album, Poor & Ignored, with live performances across the state.

Released this April, Poor & Ignored features eight tracks with songs Schumacher has refined throughout his music career. The album draws influences from folk, punk, and alternative music genres, he said.

Schumacher’s homage to the skateboarding community — and life out at sea — can be found through the album’s cover, which displays a makeshift pirate flag with skateboards as crossbones.

“I want (Cap’n Seabeard) to be more than just a band on stage playing music. I would like to make the audience feel included in the experience to the best of my ability.”

Chris schumacher

songwriter and vocalist, cap'n seabeard

What began as Schumacher's solo music project, Cap'n Seabeard has grown into a collaborative effort. Schumacher, the songwriter and vocalist, is now joined by Brett Miller on drums and Maria Lewis on bass and backup vocals. Jon Talberg, a friend and mentor of Schumacher's, is also featured on lead guitar in Poor & Ignored.

As Schumacher's Cap'n Seabeard project evolved, so did his songwriting, though he continues to draw from formative experiences. He hopes his music can illuminate the shared humanity within us all.“I write from a place of introspection questioning our place in the world,” Schumacher said. “(In this album) I would like to explore who we are, what we put in or take out of the world, and how we exist with those around us.”

“Bugs & Parasites,” the fifth track on the album, found its place among newer tracks like “New Jam” and “Walk So Long,” despite being written years earlier. Music video production — like the one for "Waste," the album's opening track — enhanced the release and showcased the artists' free jamming capabilities, while also highlighting Schumacher's raw talent and narrative abilities.

Schumacher’s distinct acoustic guitar playing and punk rock attitude instantly grabbed Jon Talberg’s attention, he said. Talberg noted Cap'n Seabeard's intricate finger-picking and groovy guitar rhythms — featured in his performances — harmonized with his own musical style during their recent album collaboration.

“We have worked together to amplify some of the characteristic elements of Chris’s style in our development as a band,” Talberg said. “We have also improvised extensively at live shows, which was an important part of generating new sounds and ideas.”

Most recently, Cap’n Seabeard performed live at the Menomonie Hipnic, a free event hosted by One Love Revival, at Wilson Park in Menomonie. Organizer Faith Freedlund said the innovative textures and tones brought to the stage during the event ensured all were moving and grooving to the beat.

“I haven’t seen anyone in Menomonie work so hard on their music,” Freedlund said. “(Cap’n Seabeard) music does not follow one genre or any one avenue — (Chris) creates music from his heart and from his present emotions, which is rare to find in the music scene.”

Chris Schumacher, pictured above, performs live on February 20 at the Mousetrap Tavern (311 S Barstow St.) in downtown Eau Claire. (Photo by Simon Butler)

As the year progresses, the new “shipmates” alongside Cap’n Seabeard plan to schedule out shows through September, with new music already in the works to be released in an upcoming EP.

Next up, the group will perform at the 715 Skate Jam on July 26, in Phelan Park (1200 21st Ave. E, Menomonie). They will be joined by fellow artists and friends from the local skating community.

“The next step is to try to take what amount of the hype is left and continue to build it into something and get out more,” Schumacher said. “I want (Cap’n Seabeard) to be more than just a band on stage playing music. I would like to make the audience feel included in the experience to the best of my ability.”

Follow Cap’n Seabeard and listen to Poor & Ignored online through Bandcamp and on major streaming platforms. For the latest updates and new music announcements, follow the group on Instagram (@capnseabeard).