The Avalanches | Artist
The Avalanches are an Australian electronic music group formed 1997 in Melbourne by Robbie Chester (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals) and Tony Di Blasi (keyboards, bass, backing vocals). Additional members over time include Darren Seltmann (keyboards, brass, guitar, backing vocals), Manabu Etoh (drums), Gordon McQuilten (keyboards, percussion, piano), Dexter Fabay (turntables) and James Dela Cruz (turntables, keyboards). They are renowned for their style of 'plunderphonics" which involves utilising and manipulating one or more pre-existing audio sources to create a new composition. Founders Chester and Di Blasi first met in a noise punk band called Alarm 115, which eventually morphed into The Avalanches. After the release of their first Single "Rock City" and the EP Undersea Community, the group's profile grew with support slots for the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Stereolab and Beck. James Dela Cruz was added to the live line-up on turntables and keyboards, and made his debut with the band at The Palace, St Kilda, supporting Public Enemy. From mid-1998, the Avalanches had been recording their debut album Since I Left You at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne. Its launch date was delayed due to the need for sample clearances and overseas interest. Chater estimated that Since I Left You was assembled from approximately 3,500 vinyl samples. The first Australian single from the album "Frontier Psychiatrist" was issued in August 2000, which peaked in the top 50 on the ARIA Singles Chart and reached No.6 in Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown. In October the band undertook their first Australian headline tour, appearing in all capital cities. All dates were completely sold out. Seltmann broke his leg in Brisbane in an on-stage collision with bassist and singer Di Blasi. In November 2000, Since I Left You was launched in Melbourne and went on to win six Australian Dance Music Awards. The UK version was released by XL Recordings in 2001, which debuted at No.8 on the UK Albums Chart and quickly topped 200,000 sales in the UK. Also that month, the first UK single from the album, the title track "Since I Left You" was released and debuted at No.16 on the UK Singles Chart. The "Since I Left You" video won Video of the Year at the MTV Europe Music Awards. London-Sire Records released the US version in November 2001. When the label dissolved in 2003, the band switched to Elektra and the album peaked at No.10 on Billboard's Top Electronic Albums chart. Following their superb debut album, the band took 16 years to release the follow-up Wallflower, then a further 4 years to release their excellent third album We Will Always Love You. The latest album goes somewhat lighter on the samples and heavier on post-trip hop soundscapes and contemporary singers, making for recombinant pop that feels joyfully seamless and organic.
Artist Website: theavalanches.com
Featured Albums: The Avalanches
Related Artists: Henry Chinaski
Video Clips: Frankie Sinatra, Since I Left You, We Will Always Love You
