The Story of Snowman
Glenn Deefholts moved to Canada from India when he was 10 years old. The damp, rainy winters of the Lower Mainland brought out two things in Glenn: a desire for warmth that remains to this day, and a rare sensitive artistic introspection. Both would play a part in the formation of Snowman in Heat.
Colin and David were newcomers to Vancouver. Like many musicians who migrated to BC from other parts of Canada, they played open mics, attended jams and house parties, but spent a long time playing to the four empty walls in the small, overpriced apartments.
Colin had met Glenn at the West End Community centre while waiting to use the piano rehearsal rooms. Colin also knew Davers through his partner's work. The three finally met in 2010...and played...and knew they had found something special. Glenn had proposed the name 'Snowman in Heat'. David was not initially sold. Colin mediated, calmly stating that they could always change the name down the road. The three agreed, and the Snowman in Heat experience was born.
The three friends jammed at Glenn's west end place and soon had regular shows at Dulcinea, a West End cafe specializing in hot chocolate. Local live music fans and sweet-tooth afficianados got a taste of good moccha and great tunes.
The fanbase delighted to the trios acoustic/piano and vocal combinations, including covers of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Queen (!?) as well as a growing catalog of original material.
Over the next three years, the trio made two videos, and established themselves as a regular fixture in Mount Pleasant at Eugene Dong's Cottage Bistro. They embarked on a tour of Vancouver Island and played a sold-out show at Granville Island's Backstage Lounge:
Desiring a fuller sound, they were soon joined by the fabulous Christine Allen on drums and recorded their original music. The addition of drums also brought an electrified sound, which saw a turning point in how the band composed. Glenn, an avid Bob Dylan fan, came to a crossroads in his musical development, not unlike Dylan's transition from acoustic-strumming beatnik to electrified voice of a generation, backed by the now famous Band of Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson.
With these transitions came the departure of Christine, yet she had made her mark on the band: the acoustic trio could not go back to their two acoustic and keyboard sound. David made the transition to drums, with Glenn on guitar and Colin on keys. The classic Snowman in Heat sound came to fruition.
In addition to being featured at the Cottage Bistro, Snowman in Heat were pleased to welcome a number of opening acts, one of the fan favourites being Roxy Andrighetti. Not only did they enjoy Roxy's musciality, but also her warm, enduring friendship.
Originals like 'Breathe Child', 'Take Me', 'Big Orange Crush', 'You Can Dance Flamenco' were followed by 'Until', 'Shades of Light', and 'Footsteps'. This time, while musically productive, was also difficult in terms of many personal changes. All three sought career changes, and the frustrations of balancing a nine-to-five and an artistic life became too much for David. He resigned from his position as Director of Studies at a Language School and went back to study sound engineering at Douglas College. This turned out to be one of the best things he's done in his life. Making friends with young musicians and being surrounded by fresh, new talent reinvigorated (and overwhelmed!) David's musical sensibilities.
Next, it was Colin's turn for a change. However, this time Colin would not only change his career, but also step back from playing in the band. With grateful, but heavy hearts, Glenn and Davers bid farewell to Colin at the final show the three ever played together, on August 1st, 2014.
Glenn and Davers went for lunch at the now-transformed Hamburger Mary's, a familiar West-End haunt. 'What do we do now?' Both Glenn and David had to admit that Colin's virtuosic keyboarding skills and musical skill acted as the glue that had held the band together. Not only that, Colin was the one that had brought Glenn and David together. Would Glenn and David be enough to carry the band?
'I want to do this. Let's do this together.' Glenn and David made a pledge to keep working, keep writing and keep searching for the right musicians. Drawing upon the talent that Davers had discovered at Douglas, the band quickly mutated into a tight guitar, bass, drums and keys combo, featuring Tom Hanek on bass, Josh Troll on drums, Glenn on keyboard and David on guitar. The new support of the bass and drums liberated David and Glenn and the band quickly launched in a new direction with new original material such as 'For Better or Worse' and 'Cafe in Japan.'
Two new surprises were in store for David, however. In the fall of 2014, he received a call to fill in for 2nd Drum chair for the Impressions Big Band under the direction of the legendary Jill Townsend. While playing jazz in a big band for the first time, David was exposed to the innovations and combinations of horn parts. Desiring to fill a large gap in the Snowman in Heat sound, over the next two years, David recruited Lindsay Ferguson on saxophone, Marina Antoniou on Trombone and Phil Austrom on trumpet. The band had never sounded fuller.
The other new surprise at the end of 2014 resulted in a cancellation of a band meeting at the last minute. When Tommy, Josh and Glenn arrived at Hamburger Mary's the next night, David told them what was up:
'Guys, Greta (David's wife) and I are having a baby...we just found out!' David and Greta's son, Eoin, was born in 2015, but that did stop the band from continuing to play, experiment and enjoy themselves.
In September 2017, the band performed to the audience of the VIFF film, Out of the Interior, for which David had composed the soundtrack. A memorable night and a celebration of music and film.
And now?
With the departure of Glenn, Josh Troll, Phil Austrom and Marina Antoniou leading up to the end of 2019, Snowman has welcomed drummer Chris 'Skinny' Lambert, trombonist extraordinaire Michael Shaufele and trumpet virtuoso RJ Abella. The band has never sounded tighter and is ready for more recording and an expanded concert lineup.
Glenn invited Colin and David to his new apartment in late 2019 for a musical get-together. The same magic and friendship are still there, though now with Glenn's new position as professor, Colin's new role as a father and David's continuing adventure into parenthood, time to play together has been short. However, it is 2020 and a ten year anniversary is due. Look for more information coming soon on the reunion concert of 2020!
