It was oh, I don’t know, about a trillion degrees in L.A. yesterday.  Literally, I tried to check in at Hell via Foursquare but sadly it wasn’t an option.  Despite the heat wave that would make anyone want to do absolutely nothing but live in a refrigerator all day word on the street was that Avalanche City from New Zealand was in town hanging on a rooftop in West Hollywood- so SPF in hand and I was on my way to get up close and personal with the folk rock band that’s dominating the New Zealand airwaves!

Lauren Novik:  So you guys just got to L.A. to play a couple of shows- how;s it going thus far?

Avalanche City:  Good, good!  We’ve already done one show it was good so we’ll see!

 

LN:  Nice!  Let’s talk about your main musical influences!

AC:  Hmm- I really like Coldplay!

LN:  And Album Leaf?!  (He’s totally rocking an album leaf shirt!)

AC:  Ha- yes- and Album Leaf.  Whitely and Australian band is big too.

AC:  I really like the band Radiohead- but that probably doesn’t come across in your music!  I also really like Coldplay and the Swell Season!

LN:  Craziest tour/show/travelling story to date?!

AC:  OK- SO- the guy at customs!  The guy was kind of interrogating me at customs-

LN:  Warm welcome from L.A. guys!

AC:  He was THE most serious guy I have ever met in my life.  He was convinced I was guilty of something- I’m not going to go into details but my heart was pounding- and I wasn’t even doing anything wrong!  He had a bullet proof vest on and a gun and everything and I felt like he could just pull it out and stick it to my head!  In New Zealand we don’t really have anyone as serious as that!

LN:  So glad L.A. gave you a nice warm welcome!

AC:  To be fair his passport picture looks like he’d escaped from a mental institution!

AC:  He could have easily looked at my photo and been like “So-  you just got out of prison!”

 

LN:  Who have you guys played with and would like to play with again, or collaborate with in the future?

AC:  We’ve played with Alaska- they’re a New Zealand band and they’re just great.

 

LN:  Are you guys confirmed for any fests this summer, which would you like to play?

AC:  We’re not confirmed for any yet but we’ve got a few in the cards!  I’d love to play Big Day Out!  As far as U.S. I don’t really know too many aside from Warped Tour- which sounds cool!

LN:  It is indeed a fun fest!

AC:  Coachella’s cool- but I’m not sure we’d get on their!

LN:  Hey you never know!

 

LN:  So, you’re stranded on a deserted island and can only bring 2 CDs- Go!

(both answers combined!)

AC:  Probably some Beethoven sonatas or something, probably a Five Iron album- I think the end is near is my favorite, and In Rainbows, Radiohead!  Hmm- Viva La Vida, Whitley go forth find mammoth, and Death Cab plans!

LN:  Oooh, all good choices- if I end up stranded on an island I’ll vote for yours!

 

LN:  Pre-show vices or rituals?!

AC:  I always like to stand in a circle and do group warm ups so we go Oooo, Oooo up and down through the chords!  Also he always does a hundred press ups before a show so we can all see his abs on stage!

LN:  Well now who doesn’t do that before going on stage!

 

LN:  When did you know that  you wanted to be a musician as opposed to anything else in life?

AC:  I’ve wanted to be a musician for as long as I can remember.  I have this picture of my with a toy guitar and sunglasses on – just able to stand in my nappies with just THE happiest face ever.  I used to pretend to play the violin with my dad’s paint roller- so yes, I’ve ALWAYS wanted to be a musician!

 

LN:  What’s up next for Avalanche City in the rest of twenty-eleven?

AC:  Well we have a lot of tours coming up so we’ll tour Australia, and then hopefully the U.S. at some point!

LN:  Well I hope so- once in L.A. is not enough!

I let AC go back to enjoy their sun-soaked morning and it’s no secret why people can’t get enough of the humble group.  Their soft folk-rock is soothing, a little Plans-esque a la Death Cab but with a few different elements that really serve to enhance the album stripped of unnecessary sounds and chalk full of ample acoustic elemtns for a sweet little auditory treat!  Currently I’m obsessed with their track “Drive On” as well as their single “Love Love Love.”  You can’t go wrong with either one of the upbeat but lowkey tracks.  All you L.A. kids think of the perfect song for a relaxed Topanga Canyon drive beach-ward bound!

Aside from getting Avalanche City’s album post-haste plan on cyberstalking them on their Facebook page HERE to keep updated on the latest and greatest happening with the New Zealand folk/rock hybrid- because you DON’T want to miss them when they stroll through your town with the intent to serenade!  PS- All you L.A. kids can catch them tonight at SIR Studios in L.A.!