Snow Strippers & Overnight EDM Fame
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Last week, I spent my Friday morning traveling down to Tampa, Florida, in preparation for a sold-out concert at The Crowbar later that evening. For a more-than-reasonable cost of $25 per ticket, Snow Strippers made the 4-hour trip worth every second.
The duo, composed of Tatiana Schwaninger and Graham Perez, are currently halfway through their first North American tour. With their home city of Tampa being one of their 26 shows, it was safe to expect an incredible show. Even though my expectations were already high, they were easily exceeded by Snow Strippers’ randomized samples and electroclash tempo. What's even more alluring is the density of their fanbase. It's not common to see such a new group sell out shows so early on in their career. Within the span of three years, Snow Strippers have become national headliners, something that most artists only dream of accomplishing within their lifetime.
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Although overnight success is nothing new in the music industry, there's a bit more to the upbringing of this duo that makes their sudden rise so interesting. Snow Strippers is currently an independent project managed under the label Nice Bass Bro. The label was created by Schwaninger and Perezs, with the two having a predominant influence on the setup of the label. More specifically, this means that the majority of the project is managed by the duo. Up to this point, they have had primary involvement with venue bookings, music releases, and promotion. This integral freedom has positively impacted the cohesiveness of Snow Strippers, giving them complete creative control. This is not a new concept in the music industry, but it’s quite rare, given the attention they have garnered in such a short period of time.
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As they've gained traction, there have also been notable comparisons between Snow Strippers and the electronic music group Crystal Castles. Apart from the similarities in name, both are electronic music duos that have powerful influences on the scene. It's also commonly noticed that Snow Strippers started when Crystal Castles was no longer releasing music, creating the perfect opportunity for the group to set themselves up for success. Although the groups share many musical influences, there's a major divide among listeners as to whether Snow Strippers is even worth the comparison. Some feel they are a cheap knock-off, while others feel they carry the authenticity that Crystal Castles often lacked.
Currently, Snow Strippers have released five complete projects, with their next release, Night Killaz Vol. 2, set to release on May 8th of this year. Recently, they caught the attention of artist Lil Uzi Vert, whom they collaborated with on his latest album, Pink Tape. The rapper also appears in a remix of Snow Strippers’ “It’s a Dream.” With rather consistent releases and continued exploration of their sound, it's only fair to say their popularity will continue to grow.
Strike Out,
Writer: Emma Stanfield
Editor: Cristina Angee
Tallahassee