Yesterday, DCist ventured out into the rainy evening to catch Atlanta-based Snowden and local band Cartel perform together at the Black Cat‘s back stage. We’ve long been fans of Cartel — you can read an earlier review and interview with the band here — and the buzz about Snowden had filtered down to us from New York and beyond.

Turns out that passing some time with these two bands was the perfect way to spend an otherwise dreary night. Both groups have a similar style, with polished melodies, soft, almost melancholy vocals and a sound that seems like it came straight outta England in the late ’80s/early ’90s instead of Atlanta or the District in 2005. Comparisons from Curve to the Smiths wouldn’t be far off for either Snowden or Cartel, and listening to their dreamy, guitar-driven songs was a pleasurable way to pass a Tuesday night. The crowd that filled the Black Cat’s backstage seemed to heartily agree.

Before seeing the show last night, DCist’s Mike Grass had a chance to speak with Snowden’s lead singer, Jordan Jeffares. Read on for his thoughts on everything from how Atlanta has influenced his band to beer bongs.