Snowapple

One of the stand-out acts of the entire week came in the eccentric, off-kilter shape of Snowapple. With a backing band consisting of the traditional bass, drums and guitar set-up, three statuesque women in white-witch-like flowing robes play acoustic instruments and harmonise flawlessly on a selection of songs that draw on classical music, jazz, medieval folk and indie-rock. This kind of description does them little justice, but suffice to say they were brimming with rich, luscious melodies and bizarre but beautiful chord changes. My mouth was left agape, and I duly rushed to grab copies of their two available albums... - Vic Galloway (BBC Scotland) - The Skinny

All I knew of the band Snow Apple prior to the show were that they were a folk band from Amsterdam. The Folk music market can feel a bit saturated and as a result has lost its roots a bit. However, I seem to have realised that there has been a renaissance in the folk world with female fronted folk bands – First Aid Kit, The Unthanks and The Staves are 3 very worthy exceptions to the rule and have definitely helped to give folk music a strong female presence. Add Snow Apple to this list and we have a formidable line up. Snow Apple have taken a big bite out of the folk music scene and created something refreshing and exciting.
Beautiful, beguiling and bold – these are the words I am using to describe this female 3 piece from Amsterdam. From the moment I heard them I was completely taken in by this eye-catching band. Their songs were full of operatic grace, style and had an enticing charm which I couldn’t help but be drawn into. Snow Apple captivated their audience with not only their musical versatility but also with their stage outfits. They were wearing these beautiful Marrakesh gowns which really made them standout and gave them a strong stage presence.
I wasn’t aware that they had released a new album titled Illusions this year and they’re also signed to a branch of Virgin Records! This band have indeed come far since their inauguration on 24th May 2013.
Their sound comprised of varying genres ranging from jazz to folk to opera. Each member brought something different to the table – they each come from different musical background and they blended these ingredients together effortlessly.
Snow Apple have been playing together in this set up for over a year or so. They released their debut album in 2013 and have gone from strength to strength since. This is one of their first dates they played here in the UK and they were in amazing shape – Laurien’s rich operatic voice swooned gorgeously over the anticipating crowd and Una’s use of a vocoder & synths breathed a pleasant variety into the proceedings and these talents were supported accordingly by Laura with her splendid strumming of the mandolin and sprinklings of xylophone. The backing band looked somewhat out of place on the stage. The 2 guitarists looked like they had been snatched from some punk/metal band up the road – not to say this underwhelmed the overall performance but made it all the more excellent for viewing and listening.
I was really surprised by Snow Apple. I had never heard of them before the gig and I was really surprised at just how good they were and how different they sounded compared with their other contemporaries. I’m of the opinion that there are bigger and better things to come from this very promising threesome! I wanted them to carry on playing after they taken a bow to their adoring crowd but sadly it wasn’t to be.
Snow Apple have definitely conjured up a winning formula here. I hope they keep creating and performing as a unit – they bring a swarm of ideas full of exotic colours and originality to the Folk music world. I don’t think I’ve heard another folk band quite like them. They can morph in and out of different music playing styles with ease and this is only part of what makes them so appealing.
Their UK tour will continue throughout July culminating on 19th July, if I had the time and resources I would definitely invest in another night watching them. Catch them whilst you still can!
For once, I can safely say . . . . How do you like those apples!?! - Popped Music

Snowapple now has the honor of being featured on Wordkrapht for the third time as of today. For those who are hearing the name for the first time, let us take a moment to introduce you.

Snowapple is the cultivation of three talented ladies with an extensive and impressive backgrounds in music, education, and modeling. First up there is Laurien, international opera singer and post-grad Physics at The University of Amsterdam just to scratch the surface. Next there is Una. Una is a jazz singer who has worked with many bands across the Netherlands and France. Laura is a singer, composer and conductor. With their powers combined they are Snowapple; the music equivalent to Charlie’s Angels.

The trio released their second album, Illusion today. The overall consensus on the album will ultimately be these ladies know how to sing. They sound angelic alone and together their harmonies are on another level. At times throughout the album their three voices merge together so wonderfully you almost forget you’re listening to more than one person singing. Of the album, Snowapple had the following to say about it:

“The voices and hypnotic sounds should transport you to another world, a dream woven of illusions. That’s the idea behind Illusion, the longing to abandon reality for a brief moment.”



From hints of gypsy elements to operatic theatrics Illusion is an enchanting journey that begs to be played from beginning to end all in one sitting. While the opening two tracks, “Small Stone” and “California” are more of the straightforward folksy singer-songwriter variety it’s the rest of the album that really shows the trio’s flair for all things experimental. No two songs sound alike on Illusion yet the whimsy that can be heard in every song binds these tracks together to create an album worth listening to. From the album’s title track with its somber yet dramatic sweeping instrumentals to “Plato’s Prank”; a track that is so playful it’ll make you think you’re at a carnival (or better yet a renaissance festival) to every emotion they manage to evoke in between, Illusion was a labor of love and pure creativity. There’s no chance this album can simply play quietly in the background of any room or car. It demands the full attention of whoever is listening from the first notes played and sung until the very last breath. - Wordkrapht