FEATURE: Interview With Avalanche City

Fresh off a massive promotional tour of the US and UK, Avalanche City are literally taking the world by storm. We caught up with man behind it all, Dave Baxter, to ask him about what he's been up to, his thoughts on the state of NZ music and what the rest of 2011 has in store for him and the band.

You're recently wrapped up a promotional tour of the US & UK. How was the trip and what's the response to the album been from folks overseas?
The trips been great, it's my first time in the States and the UK so it's been an amazing experience. The album's had a really good response from the industry people, which is exciting.

Your debut single 'Love Love Love' has been one of the standout songs of 2011 to date. When you wrote the song did you ever imagine it would become as successful as it has?
No way, I never anticipated what would happen. It's weird to think that one song can change your life so much.

Avalanche City - Love Love Love

If you could pick 3 songs off 'Our New Life Above The Ground' that you're most proud of what would they be and why?
'The Streets' is a song that I love playing live, the rhythm of it feels good. It's a song thats still a bit of a mystery to me, I haven't quite figured out what it's about. 'You And I' is another, I like this one just because it's about my wife, there's little lines in there that I relate to.

One of things we love most about your record is the story behind the recording process of the album. For those that don't know the story can you tell us why you chose to record the album alone in a community hall out in the country?
It was kind of always my dream to record an album completely by myself and do everything myself. The reason I chose a country hall was just because I love getting out of my studio environment and have more of and adventure with recording. It's exciting trying different things, sometimes just recording in a studio can be really boring. So I really just wanted to have some fun.

New Zealand music month has just finished. Who are some New Zealand artists you’ve seen lately that have grabbed your attention?
I really love watching Alaska, they're a great band. Luke Thompson has just released his new EP which I played manjo on for a few songs, the EP is so good, I love it.

As an artist why do you think NZ Music Month is important for music in this country?
It's great just to celebrate NZ music. I feel like NZ artists are just getting better and better. It's exciting to know that we can compete internationally and I feel like the worlds eye is starting to turn more towards NZ. So I think its good to have a month where we can celebrate what we're doing with music.

The wider New Zealand music scene is one that seems to go through cycles. In other words good bands are constantly coming and going. What do you think of the current state of the wider New Zealand music scene?
I think now is a really healthy time to be a NZ artist. The internet has opened up so many opportunities and made it so much easier to connect with a global audience. And also thanks to the hard work of people like Peter Jackson and Flight Of The Concords the world now knows that NZ exists and people are starting to take notice of acts that come out of here.


Avalanche City - Ends In The Ocean

What's does the rest of 2011 have in store for Avalanche City?
At the moment we're planning the release of our album overseas, so much of this year for me will be touring and promoting, which I'm really excited about.

By Hugh Collins