The Snow (band)


The Snow are a critically acclaimed New York rock band formed by Melomane and Bad Reputation frontmen Pierre de Gaillande and Hilary Downes in 2006. Along with guitarist/singer/songwriter de Gaillande and pianist/keyboardist/singer/songwriter Downes are David Spinley - clarinet, saxophone ; Jeffrey Schaeffer - drums, Christian Bongers - bass. Their music incorporates elements of indie rock, art-rock, chamber pop, French chanson, torch songs, classical music and jazz. Their lyrics are often humorous, utilizing double meanings, irony and metaphor.

Work

The Snow's first album True Dirt includes covers of songs by M. Ward and Bruce Springsteen. The originals range from whimsical,, to socially critical.
Their latest album, I Die Every Night,, is more lushly orchestrated; half of its compositions are by Downes, who, like de Gaillande, utilizes numerous literary devices in her lyrics and typically favors lushly moody sonics. The songs range from the latest in de Gaillande's ongoing "disaster song cycle" about possible apocalypses, to ominous torch songs by Downes, to soul music and humorous chanson.