Snowsera: Yeah, they're from around here
Who'd have guessed that when someone claims to be "from the land of the great destroyer," they're talking about Illinois?
It must be true though - taking their name from the Old Norse word for the phrase, atmospheric rockers -- Snowsera have called the Midwest home since their inception in 2006, though they're a bit sick of the "where did your name come from?" question.
Made up of vocalist Bill Artega, bassist Nate Christenson, guitarist Ian Erard and drummer Jeff Wagner, the group has made a reputation in the area (and throughout the Midwest) as a powerful live band with a "flair for dynamic contrast," as Christenson puts it.
"We just finished up recording five songs for our new EP with Brian Zieske, and they sound incredible!" Christenson says. "Naturally, we wanted a chance to play them for as many of our friends and fans as possible, so we figured a free show at the best sounding venue in Chicago was a good way to go about it."
The show is a showcase Tuesday at Schuba's in Chicago. After playing venues like Durty Nellie's in Palatine and Chicago's famed Metro, the group's first performance at Schuba's will feature a band with every reason to play well, and the ability to follow through. The group takes cues from bands as diverse as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse, but those two and everything in between are apparent in their music.
The song "So Subtle" - featured on their as-yet-untitled forthcoming EP, as well as on last year's "EP#2" and the group's debut "So Subtle EP" recording - is perhaps the best way to trace the group's development from a promising new band to a group hitting their stride, to the supremely confident and sonically bold group they are now. With a massive hook, a powerful groove and Artega's soaring, penetrating vocal, it may be the quintessential Snowsera song.
"Lots of writing, rehearsing and gigging (have gotten us to this point)," Christenson said. "Everything has been about as we expected. Ultimately, you're going to get only as much as you put into your endeavors. - It's rare to have a band where every member plays an equal and integral part in the band. No one individual is a larger or smaller part of the group, on either creative or managerial terms."
As for the future, along with most if not all of their contemporaries, Snowsera have big dreams. But operating with their arsenal of skill and business sense, as well as a sense of optimism about the new music industry climate, it's hard to doubt that they've got a better chance than most.
Snowera @ Schuba's
7 p.m. Aug. 26
Free
Snowsera's top three songs to listen to in the summertime
• "April 26th, 1992" by Sublime - "You can feel the heat coming off the concrete and almost taste the humidity."
• "Wonderwall" by Oasis - "An absolute classic."
• "Alright" by Supergrass - "Just a great feel-good song, can't beat that, can you?"
Snowsera's favorite movie of the summer so far:
• "Without a doubt - 'The Dark Knight.'"
Snowsera's extracurricular activities
• "We drink lots of tea and talk in British accents."