When trying to break into a local scene mainly dominated by jam bands, newcomers Snowsera knew they would have their work cut out for them. Yet, in just over a year, they've gone from being mostly unknown to being local celebrities, stopping at nothing to get the word out about their music. I recently sat down with the guys and found out they have no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. Drummer Jeff Wagner hopes to one day be able to call Snowsera his career, to "make art and not be concerned about eating. I don't wan't to be a starving artist," he said. With the way things have been going for the band lately, they'll probably be anything but starving.

The band got together in October of 2006, a three-piece at the time. They used a drum machine for the first few months, a time that bassist Nate Christenson jokes "he'd rather not talk about." The band found Wagner through Facebook. Guitarist Ian Erard notes, "We wanted a great drummer, and he's a jazz drummer. They're really good."

The band then took it upon themselves to record a 5-song EP which has been garnering praise from producers in Chicago as Snowsera shops around for professionals to help them record another EP, this time with six songs. "It's the key to great recording. We want that third party, the opinion of a producer," Christenson says. The new EP, which they'll be recording this summer, will be comprised of 3 new songs and 3 revamped older songs.

With recording aside, what they're really passionate about is playing for a live audience. Snowsera recently won two local music awards, which were presented by Buzz Weekly, an entertainment insert for the University of Illinois' student-run newspaper, the Daily Illini. While being named Best New Artist in Champaign-Urbana was an honor, the guys all agreed that winning Best Live Performance was better. Wagner said it felt "more rewarding, since we got to play right after." Singer Bill Arteaga agreed, but also felt it was "more nerve racking, since we had to prove ourselves." Christenson liked the crowd at the award show, because it "was packed and so energetic, full of people that loved music. They weren't just people who happened to be at the bar while we were playing." Christenson also mentioned that it was nice that people voted for them for the awards, that it served as proof that "people really like the band."

And it comes as no surprise that people love Snowsera. Although they're serious about their band, the seriousness doesn't always carry over to the rest of their lives. When asked what song was his favorite to play live, Arteaga joked, "Man, I just love 'em all," to which Erard laughed back, "Why don't you love the band a little more?" However, Wagner had a quick and definitive answer: he chose "Charity" from their self-titled EP, because it "grooves and then releases. I just close my eyes and the song feels so good to play that it's like I'm not even there."

The guys have mostly played around Champaign-Urbana in bars like the Canopy Club and the High Dive, which they say is their favorite venue. "The sound guy there is spectacular," Christenson gushed. In addition playing to concerts, though, the guys have also made appearances on the local college radio station, WPGU 107.1.

Christenson explains that they owe thanks to DJ Monica Gerhardt, who "played our music when we weren't even in rotation, and then after we were, she kept playing the songs a lot." Gerhardt showed Snowsera's music to station higher-ups, which led to an in-studio performance that was broadcast live. Wagner described the studio as "fun, but a different animal." Erard agreed, mentioning that they had to rework parts of some songs and said that playing in a studio made him hear the music in "a different way."

However, despite the success and popularity they've gained in Champaign-Urbana, Snowsera still want more. "We want to break into the Chicago scene," Christenson says, but notes that he thinks it might be hard since many Chicago bands are like a tight-knit family because they all work together frequently. And though Snowsera know it may be hard to break in, they remain confident. Even with impending college graduation for two of the band members that will pull the guys 176 miles apart (Arteaga and Christenson are moving back up to Chicago, while Erard and Wagner will be staying in Champaign) the boys show no fear. "We're gonna make it work," Wagner says. "It's gonna be a lot of work, but we'll do what we have to." Christenson adds, " It'll make when we do get to play that much more awesome."

While the band has no upcoming shows lined up, choosing to focus on recording for the time being, you can check out the band at myspace.com/Snowsera and keep yourself up-to-date on their whereabouts. Arteaga stresses, "We love making music, and I think it shows in our live show, so come see us, come find out."