With Snack

With Snack are an R&B outfit based in NYC who have just released their debut “Snacktime EP”. They describe their sound as a mix of Stevie Wonder meets Snarky Puppy meets Robert Glasper and they are not too far off base. The tunes all have a nice 1970′s funk and soul vibe combined with a modern jazz sensibility. - Groove on Fire

Step aside, Sinatra. He may be Ol’ Blue Eyes, but NYU’s quintet With Snack poses a cool challenge to Sinatra’s smooth jazz. Their first collaboration, Snacktime EP, drops this Friday.
With Snack is comprised of Aviv Goldgeier (keyboards, Steinhardt ’16, music technology), Chris Roderick (vocals, CAS ’16, politics), Evan Lane (trumpet, Steinhardt ’16, jazz performance), Jono Stewart (bass, Steinhardt ’16, jazz performance), Matti Dunietz (drums, Steinhardt ’16, jazz performance).
The band came together last fall to audition for Ultra Violet Live. They had only been playing together informally for a few weeks, but made it through the prelims in November and won Audience Favorite in February (and won over a few hearts in the audience at the same time). The band’s debut, a collection of five songs titled Snacktime EP, drops here this Friday. To celebrate, they’ll play an 18+ gig at The Bitter End (147 Bleecker Street) at 6:45 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.
With Snack sounds like a less mainstream Michael Bublé or a more New Age-y Stevie Wonder. It’s smooth jazz at an accessible level. “New Soul” takes a jazz aesthetic and slides it from a frenetic, electronic pace to one that’s delectably slow. “My Love” is the serenade every romantic has ever wanted to hear outside their window, with blush-worthy lyrics (“You are that girl in my dreams / And I find it so hard to breathe / Cause when you’re in my arms / I’ll never let you get in no harm”) and a playful tune. “Forever” is the stand-out single; Chris’s voice is seductive and strong over a catchy hook and foot-tapping percussion. It wouldn’t be far-fetched the describe their sound as baby-making music. (“I would be honored if a baby was made to our music,” Matti said.) - NYU Local