While most students were either packing their bags in anticipation of spring break or starting to transition from Happy Hour to a full night at the bars, Snowsera and The Brother Whys entertained a small crowd at the Illini Union Courtyard Café.

Leading off the free show was The Brother Whys, a band whose unusual name I had already heard, but not its music. Therefore, I was a bit apprehensive as the six members crammed onto the tiny Courtyard platform and lead vocalist/guitarist Tom Riordan repeatedly invited everyone to cozy up to the stage (winning line: “We’re not an orchestra!”). However, fears of bleeding ears soon subsided after the opening strains of “Big Teeth” – as the myriad of instruments combined to produce a warm, mid-90s era sound that, like the stage, was full but not cluttered.

From this starting point, the crowd was treated to a robust 11 song set that provided all the time I needed to fall in love with the group. In a little under an hour, the group blazed through a set list that included the entirety of its upcoming debut album (to be released March 28th at The Iron Post) along with a faithful cover of the Pixies’ classic “Where Is My Mind?” – with Kelly Turner’s sweet vocal harmonizing replacing the haunting echoes of the original. Featuring hazy, meandering melodies punctuated by Riordan’s introspective lyrics, The Brother Whys pull off an impressive feat: making music that is both emotional without sounding whiny and bursting with energy without having to blow out amps.

Set List (provided by The Brother Whys)

Big Teeth
Run! Don’t Walk
River Black
Telephone
Friend You Can
Song From Humboldt Park
Working Son
Charts And Maps
Acid Rain
Where Is My Mind? (Pixies cover)
Thumbtacks

Next to inhabit the tight stage quarters were Snowsera, an alternative rock quartet that is quickly distancing itself from the other student bands attempting to make a splash in the local music scene. Just nominated for a Local Music Award (in the category of Best New Artist) and fresh off the release of their self-titled EP, Snowsera put on a performance that suggested the group are already seasoned veterans. Anchored by Bill Arteaga’s pitch-perfect live singing voice and drummer Jeff Wagner’s limitless talent and energy behind the kits, the band came across as professional and, well, flat-out good. (Incidentally, Wagner also filled in on drums for The Brother Whys, whose songs, ironically, proved to be a better showcase of his ability than his own band’s material.)

Aside from a few failed attempts to spark conversations about spring break plans, the members of Snowsera wisely let their music speak for itself. Beginning with two new offerings in the same vein as those found on its EP, the group continued with one of that release’s standout tracks, “Trends” – a burst of danceable pop-rock with deceptively biting lyrics. After hearing another batch of newer material, about the only complaint that can be raised against Snowsera is the lack of variation among its songs; however, this criticism can almost be ignored solely on the basis of how well the band does what it does. Following the slower, bass-driven “Charity,” the set ended with the superb one-two punch of catchy single “So Subtle” and faster, harder-edged new cut “History.” Don’t worry if you missed out on this show – the next chance to catch them is at the Canopy Club on March 27.

Set List (provided by Snowsera)

Who Else Would We Run To?
What You Will
Twenty-Four (EP)
Trends (EP)
Too
Perennials
Safe
Charity (EP)
So Subtle (EP)
History

Summary Limmerick:
There is nothing better than free shows.
If I were Mya I would love them like, whoa.
The Brother Whys
Were a nice surprise.
And Snowsera rocked out like old pros.