GET THE DEBUT CD from The Snow, TRUE DIRT, on VERMILLION MUSIC and on ITUNES (Search 'The Snow True Dirt'):
http://www.melomane.org/vermillion/index.php
The Snow began with Pierre de Gaillande and Hilary Downes when their relationship of many years was transformed into one of pure musical collaboration. Born in Paris, France and raised in California, Pierre started his New York musical career in power punk band the Morning Glories in the early 90s and went on to play with Melomane, Vic Chesnutt, and many others. Pierre began to supplement his income writing and recording made-to-order songs as wedding gifts. These wedding songs became the first joint project of Pierre and Hilary. After years of working with Pierre in his studio, singing backup vocals on his bands’ recordings and the occasional public performance, Pierre coaxed Hilary on-stage for a musical tour of Russia and Eastern Europe in the summer of 2006, during which Hilary learned to sing and play keyboard simultaneously. The Snow was born!
A classically trained clarinetist and saxophone player, Dave Spinley joined the group as a key writer and arranger. Having played in punk rock, jazz, country and pop bands in New York City for more than ten years, Spinley was well-seasoned to deal with the cosmic unrest which became the subject of many of the songs on their first full-length cd, “True Dirt.†Also an exploration of spirituality from a non-religious perspective, the transforming of Downes’ and de Gaillande’s relationship seemed to mesh with the spiritual seeking in many of the album’s songs. Jazz bassist Chris Gustafson added his chops to the mix.
Backed by a deft rhythm section, featuring Jeffrey Schaeffer on drums and Christian Bongers (The Box, Botanica, Falcon) on upright bass, The Snow has a serious backbone. Their influences are as diverse as their sound – having been described as distinctly as a post-apocalyptic French cabaret and Americana heard at a possessed carnival. The overall mood is of a sweet serenade taking occasional turns into a hall of mirrors. They have been likened to Fleetwood Mac sitting around the pool trading songs with M. Ward, Cat Power, and Iron and Wine, or a first date between Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits. Hear for yourself...
The band's first album was recorded and mixed at Trout Studios by acclaimed producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Apples in Stereo, Sean Lennon, Evan Dando, Sebadoh) and was released on Vermillion Music in February 2008.
