Snowman (band)
| Company type | Indie rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Defunct | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Australia, United Kingdom |
Key people | Andy Citawarman, Joe McKee, Olga Hermanniusson, Ross DiBlasio |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Snowman was an indie rock group originating from Perth, Western Australia, established in 2002. The band moved to London in 2008 and eventually dissolved in 2011.
2002-2005: Origins and Zombies on the Airwaves of Paris
The band Snowman came together during their high school years, with Joe McKee and Andy Citawarman starting to compose music at the age of fourteen. Olga Hermanniusson joined the lineup playing bass and saxophone, while Ross DiBlasio took over drumming duties in 2002. By 2003, they were performing live shows across Australia and had produced two demo CDs that included early versions of significant tracks such as "Lost in the Woods" and "Wormwood."
After securing victory in the 2003 competition The Next Big Thing, they released the EP Zombies on the Airwaves of Paris in September 2004 through Shock Records Australia, which garnered favorable reviews nationwide. This success led to tours supporting acts like Interpol, Regurgitator, The Mint Chicks, and Wolfmother, as well as a publishing contract with Mushroom Music Publishing.
In 2005, Snowman received six nominations at the West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMi), ultimately winning the award for Favourite Newcomer.
2006-2011: Releases, accolades, and breakup
In 2006, Snowman signed with Melbourne’s indie label Dot Dash Records and recorded their debut self-titled album with producer David Parkin at Blackbird Studios. Released on 23 September 2006, the album was met with critical praise. The band toured extensively throughout Australia, performing at major festivals such as Big Day Out, Meredith Music Festival, and Laneway Festival, while also supporting artists including Liars, Wolf & Cub, and The Drones.
At the 2006 WAMi Awards, Andy Citawarman was honored with Best Male Vocalist. The following year, Snowman claimed three WAMi awards: 'Most Popular Album' for Snowman, 'Most Popular Music Video' for "You Are A Casino," and 'Best Rock Act.' Additionally, "You Are a Casino" was issued as a limited edition UK 7" single in June 2007.
Recording for their second album began in January 2008 with Parkin once again producing. Titled The Horse, The Rat and The Swan, it was released on 24 May 2008 to widespread acclaim in Australia. The album topped the critics’ poll by Mess and Noise and received an honorable mention in Pitchfork's annual roundup.
Later that year, Snowman relocated to London where they spent two years collaborating with Australian producer Aaron Cupples on new material. On 23 November 2010, they announced their third album Absence, which came out on 3 June 2011. Concurrently with this release, Snowman declared their official disbandment.
Band members
- Andy Citawarman (born Indonesia, 1984) – guitar/vocals/violin/keys
- Joe McKee (born England, 1984) – guitar/vocals/gammalan
- Olga Hermanniusson (born Australia, 1983) – bass/vocals/saxophone
- Ross DiBlasio (born Australia, 1985) – drums/percussion
Discography
Albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Snowman |
|
| The Horse, the Rat and the Swan |
|
| Absence |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Zombies of the Airwaves of Paris |
|
Awards
West Australian Music Industry Awards
Since its inception in 1985, the West Australian Music Industry Awards have celebrated outstanding accomplishments within Western Australia's music scene.
Template:Awards table (wins only) |- | 2005 | Snowman | Favourite Newcomer | Template:Won |- | 2006 | Andy Citawarman (Snowman) | Best Male Vocalist | Template:Won |- | rowspan="3"| 2007 | "You Are a Casino" | Most Popular Music Video | Template:Won |- | Snowman | Most Popular Album | Template:Won |- | Snowman | Best Rock Act | Template:Won |-