E: After a short EP was released to hungry fans, I Am The Avalanche has released a full-length album. With these demos and a noteworthy scene heritage, do you think the sound and style of this new album was fairly predictable with those waiting to buy it?
Vinnie: Um... no, not at all. With a full listen, I'm sure you'd agree that this record breaks lots of rules and doesn't give a fuck what it's supposed to sound like.
E: With the band having formed in the wake of the Movielife, do you think that associations like this one are key for the publicity of new projects, or a haunting mark that needs to be shaken for a new group to come into its own?
Vinnie: It's a double-edged sword. It's nice to have a head start, but I don't love the comparisons. There's no need. This is a separate being. It's a purple alien.
E: Does IATA's style, in your opinion, emulate more the previous sounds of the mid-90s pop-punk scene, or the quasi-rolutionary new direction the genre has taken in recent years?
Vinnie: 90's, man... that's where we became musicians. Pixies, Breeders, Seaweed, Blur, Dinosaur Jr., Descendants, Samiam, Jawbreaker...those are the influences on the brain.
E: What are the advantages and disadvantages of releasing IATA's new album on Drive-Thru Records, the label that originally released the Movielife?
Vinnie: It's all love. They love the record and us. People shouldn't care what label something's on. It's a strange thing to me that they do... it's all about the tunes, but it's definitely one love with Drive-Thru. They care a lot.
E: How immediately did IATA go from merely being a project for its members to being the central musical focus?
Vinnie: Like a year. I wasn't in a big rush to put it together as a full thing. When the time was right, it happened naturally.
E: Has a strong touring tradition been present in your band's success story so far?
Vinnie: That's all we do. We've been touring all year without the record being out. That's the deal. Bands tour. Period. Tour has taken on a whole new meaning with the record being out... good times. This record is a sing-along. It makes more sense in a live setting for sure.
E: Is the band's songwriting process a group effort, or is it an individual job with the efforts combined at the very end?
Vinnie: It's a family vibe. We all have our writing streaks. I wrote a bunch before the band got together, then for the last writing session, it came together like Voltron. There's no secrets, I guess. Sincerity is A-O.K.
E: In what ways do you think drastically relevant world events like war, natural disaster, and international policy impact a band's music, if at all?
Vinnie: I think those things only make music more urgent. Music is what I turn to most times. It becomes more important than ever.
E: Thanks a million... anything left to add?
Vinnie: I must say, I think your questions were well thought out, and this has been a great interview. Everyone check the record. It's out now. Thanks again. |
