Snowsera
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Snowsera

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"Check out: Snowsera"

To start off a series on local music comes a serious contender for next band to make it big out of the Champaign-Urbana/Chicago scene: Snowsera. Less than two years after forming and only 10 months playing live, these guys are getting some serious attention. And there shouldn't be any wonder why.

The band started as four University of Illinois students (vocalist Bill Arteaga, bassist Nate Christenson, guitarist Ian Erard and drummer Jeff Wagner) and received what may be their biggest break through the radio station I happen to work at, WPGU in Champaign . "So Subtle" and "Trends" were frequently played on WPGU and the band even made their way to Q101's Local 101 in Chicago. The band went on to be named Best New Artist and Best Live Performance at the 2008 WPGU Local Music Awards, as well as the inaugural "Local Band of the Week" in April 2008.

Snowsera has only gone up from there. Last summer they went into the studio to record their second EP, this time with the help of producer Brian Zieske (The Academy Is, The Hush Sound, Sars Flannery.) Both EPs, Fictions and Push & Pull, are downloadable for free at the band's MySpace.

Working with Zieske brought a broadening range of sounds, which the band enjoys. They wish to not be just another label or sound, but instead something felt by their listeners. That's even where the moniker Snowsera was conjured up. You get to decide what it means. - Where it starts, it ends


"Extra! Extra!"

Snowsera – Fictions (rock)
A five-song EP from a band with a pop sensibility and a rock edge. If Oasis wanted to resurrect The Police instead of The Beatles, you’d end up in Snowsera’s neighborhood. Clear vocals with a touch of alienation, moody guitar riffs, and a driving rhythm section. Definitely worth a listen. - Casual Listening


"Free Tracks from Snowsera"

Snowsera proves it's not afraid to flex its guitar muscles on “Chase The Rabbit,” one of two tracks the group has made newly available. Barely clocking in at two and a half minutes, “Rabbit” establishes a cool swagger with plenty of raw rock to back it up. By comparison, “Stop, Listen” initially sounds more mellow, opening with just an organ and an airy effect on Bill Arteaga's voice. The track kicks in quickly with showy riffs and wah-wah guitars, leading up to a light but distinctly funky stomp. The band fully embraces the giveaway, with multiple EPs available at its site for no cost, even including in this bundle a flyer for a free Snowsera shirt at any of the group’s shows. - AV Club Chicago


"Fictions EP by Snowsera"

Snowsera consists of University of Illinois students, vocalist Bill Arteaga, bassist Nate Christenson, guitarist Ian Erard and drummer Jeff Wagner. Considering the band only formed last year, and they haven’t even recorded a full length album yet, I was rather impressed by their second EP titled Fictions.

The EP only contains 5 tracks, but each is worth mentioning, if even briefly. Now for me, it was easy to pinpoint the musical references, even before I checked out their Myspace page, and I wasn’t surprised at all to find both Muse and Idlewild listed. This of course makes perfect sense as to why I would like this band, since I am a huge fan of both. The first track “24″ was catchy and carried a nice bass line. Bill Arteaga’s vocals and singing style are perfect for the music and had me wanting more. “I see”, the second track was just as good, sounding quite a bit like the first, but with just enough of a difference to separate the two. “Runaway” started out with a nice guitar line, that almost seemed to belong in a Guy Ritchie flick. The vocals are refreshing with the octave shift in the line “Pick it up if you want it/Pick it up if you want to try”. The fourth track, “Darling”, was a bit lackluster to me, but only for the following reason: It was a Muse song, without the one important element that makes Muse, well Muse…and that would be the delightful vocals of Matthew Bellamy. Now, I’ve already mentioned I like the vocalist for this band just fine, but try to sing like Matt, he should not. I did like the music, but the vocals just did not hit the mark for me with this one. The last track, “Subtle”, is a perfect example in every sense of the phrase “Save the best for Last”. This song is the best on the EP, hands down. From the edgy high pitched guitar throughout the verse to the catchy upbeat chorus, this song had me hooked from the first note.

All in all, this EP was pretty great from a band that still has yet to make their mark on the scene. Keep an eye out for these guys, when they do make that full length, it’s going to be worth getting your hands on. I know I will be! A

Cheers,
Sarah - One Kind Radio


"Snowsera @ Schubas (12.23.08)"

Snowsera asked me to take a few pictures at their holiday show a few weeks ago. I have worked with Snowsera before for promos a while back, and was able to grab just a few shots when they played the Metro recently, but this was the first time I was able to really watch a full show of theirs.

They opened the show with 24, which is my favorite song off of their recent EP, Fictions. It has a dancy beat to it, which the audience definitely responded to. In fact, the whole set was lively and upbeat. Singer Bill Arteaga was constantly moving around the stage (and playing a little keyboard here and there), and drummer Jeff Wagner breaking drum sticks all over the place. Guitarist Ian Erard and bassist Nate Christenson, despite both being on the edges of the small stage, also rocked it out.

The highlight of the set for me? I absolutely love their cover of “Billie Jean.” It’s hard to cover a popular and well-known 80s classic, but they really pull it off. It’s worth the cover charge just to hear them perform that song. Seriously.

For those curious, the setlist was as follows:
24
Runaway
Sun Meets Sea
Darling
Billie Jean
So Subtle
I See
Come To Me

And, as a bonus - Snowsera offers their music for free. Just go to their blog and follow the directions to download both Fictions, as well as their EP from 2007. - Redwall Photo


"CD review: Snowsera - 'Fictions'"

Snowsera formed in 2007 when four University of Illinois students banded together to create a musical formula self-described as melding "power drumming reminiscent of Dave Grohl playing on Ringo’s kit; a grooving bass that marries Michael Jackson and Nirvana; guitar lines that fuse British strumming with American riffs; forceful vocals that transcend traditional safe ranges with lyrical themes that are at once relatable and thought-provoking."

Embracing the trend of indie musicians simply wanting you to hear their music - not necessarily buy it - the band has put their new five track EP, "Fictions," up for free download, giving listeners the option to donate any amount of cash if they like what they hear.

As unlikely as a mixture of Michael Jackson and Dave Grohl seems, "Fictions" manages to achieve it, or something very close to it. On high energy tracks such as "24," "I See" and "So Subtle," grooving bass mixes with forceful drums, guitar and distinctive, daring vocals for an ear-catching hybrid of smoothness and firepower. The slow-paced, Muse-esque "Darling" provides a nice break in the action, with thoughtful lyrics and an emphasis on Bill Arteaga's vocals. The overall result points to a promising band that deserves to be on the radar of any Chicago indie music fan.

Catch Snowsera live on December 23 at Schubas and January 24 at Beat Kitchen.

by Frank Krolicki - Chicago Rock Music Examiner


"Snowsera/The Brother Whys"

Next to inhabit the tight stage quarters were Snowsera, an alternative rock quartet that is quickly distancing itself from the other student bands attempting to make a splash in the local music scene. Just nominated for a Local Music Award (in the category of Best New Artist) and fresh off the release of their self-titled EP, Snowsera put on a performance that suggested the group are already seasoned veterans. Anchored by Bill Arteaga’s pitch-perfect live singing voice and drummer Jeff Wagner’s limitless talent and energy behind the kits, the band came across as professional and, well, flat-out good. (Incidentally, Wagner also filled in on drums for The Brother Whys, whose songs, ironically, proved to be a better showcase of his ability than his own band’s material.)

Aside from a few failed attempts to spark conversations about spring break plans, the members of Snowsera wisely let their music speak for itself. Beginning with two new offerings in the same vein as those found on its EP, the group continued with one of that release’s standout tracks, “Trends” – a burst of danceable pop-rock with deceptively biting lyrics. After hearing another batch of newer material, about the only complaint that can be raised against Snowsera is the lack of variation among its songs; however, this criticism can almost be ignored solely on the basis of how well the band does what it does. Following the slower, bass-driven “Charity,” the set ended with the superb one-two punch of catchy single “So Subtle” and faster, harder-edged new cut “History.” Don’t worry if you missed out on this show – the next chance to catch them is at the Canopy Club on March 27.

Set List (provided by Snowsera)

Who Else Would We Run To?
What You Will
Twenty-Four (EP)
Trends (EP)
Too
Perennials
Safe
Charity (EP)
So Subtle (EP)
History - $5 Cover, Priceless Coverage


Discography

In order of most recent:

untitled (2009)
Chase the Rabbit (a side)
Stop, Listen (b side)
Push & Pull (a side)
Sun Meets Sea (b side)

Fictions EP (2008)

Snowsera EP (2007)

Singles include:

Chase the Rabbit
Push & Pull
So Subtle
24
Trends

Songs have been played on:

Fearless Radio
WPGU 107.1 (Univ of IL)
Q101.1 Chicago
One Kind Radio
WCRX 88.1 (Columbia College)
WLUW 88.7 (Loyola Univ)
WZRD 88.3 (Northern IL Univ)

Photos

Bio

Snowsera formed in 2007 at the University of Illinois. Originally consisting of Ian Erard on guitar, Bill Arteaga on vocals and Nate Christenson on bass, the group soon added drummer Jeff Wagner for his love of English rock band Muse and their dislike of playing with a drum machine. After playing countless shows and recording a pair of EPs with Chicago producer Brian Zieske at his Gallery of Carpet recording studio, the band began migrating from the badlands of Champaign-Urbana to Chicago. Since then they have played shows at legendary Chicago venues (Schuba’s, the Metro, Sub-T) and been commended for their debonaire live show. They are in a continual process of writing and recording new material.