Photos by Lauren Kim
I was nervous to start 2026 in a new city. I had just discarded the familiarity of Los Angeles — 80-degree winters and a social circle of artists and microinfluencers — for Washington D.C., where the trees are barren and the people lead introductions with their job title. At least the city’s walkable.
24 hours after landing at DCA, I found myself in a familiar place. The 9:30 Club doesn’t look much different from other venues in LA — I elbowed my way through a cavernous room, filled with bodies. Sweat-slicked faces blurred together, eyeliner generously smudged across their eyes. Tendrils of smoke swirled into a nauseating blanket of artificial flavors.
The lights dimmed, chatter stopped, and phone cameras were, disappointingly, raised. Fans craned their necks to witness the inaugural stop of the Snow Strippers’ North America tour. The speakers blared a melancholic piano — the melody to “Just Your Doll,” the lead single on Snow Strippers’ Night Killaz Vol 1. The emo lyrics, dramatic melody, and pounding bass set the tone for the night.
Like many others in the underground — if you can even call it that anymore — electronic scene, Snow Strippers is a two-person project. Formed in Detroit in 2021, singer Tatiana Schwaninger and Graham Perez have become a cornerstone in contemporary electronic music, channeling a maximalist sound across their 17 releases. The couple met on Tinder in 2018, convincing indies everywhere that their Hingetuationship is Definitely Going Somewhere. Before Zohran and Rama, we had Tati and Graham, folks.
Even with a two-page setlist, Snow Strippers had an unwavering energy that put the crowd under their spell. Tati’s performance was enchanting. She’s a modern-day siren, donning autotune and 2000s Abercrombie. You could barely make out her silhouette through the fog and flashing lights. Her dancing lulled the crowd into the fray, enticing the audience to jump to the beat. Crashing into bodies was unavoidable.
“It’s A Dream” was an instant energizer. The performance flooded your senses — the 8-bit melody, paired with a fire alarm sample, was almost grating to the ears. The rumble of the speakers purred from your throat down to your toes, as technicolor pink and blue strobes overwhelmed your sight. The crowd sang along to every line of featured artist Lil Uzi Vert’s verse.
The show ended with little warning. Tati and Graham said their thank yous and promptly shuffled offstage. With no signs of an encore, the crowd made its mass exodus for a smoke break.
The crisp air was the first sign of returning to reality. The streetlights illuminated our disheveled states, and conversations bubbled around me. The crowd — myself included — paired off and danced a practiced routine. Ask to bum a cigarette, or a light. One cups their hands around the flame. The other leans in a little closer than necessary. They exchange compliments: I like your hair, I like your shoes. Drag, exhale. I think I’ll be okay here.
Check out Snow Strippers’ discography!
