In case there was any doubt, I listen to a lot of music. Typically, I have to listen to a band or a song more than once in order to get a feel for the sound. When I came across Avalanche City, though, from the first note I knew this was going to be one of the bands I liked right off the bat, no questions asked.
Entirely self-taught singer-songwriter from Auckland, NZ Dave Baxter started Avalanche City as a solo music project. Baxter taught himself to play a number of instruments, including the viola, piano and glockenspiel, while also teaching himself to sing, using a recording device to play back his songs and critique his own work. Baxter used an abandoned country home north of Auckland as his first recording studio, allowing his music to fill the high-ceilinged rooms. His first album, “Our New Life Above the Ground” was the result. It was entirely written, performed, recorded and produced by Baxter and released in April 2011.
The album was free to download from his website for roughly four months, and nearly 11,000 downloads later, Baxter is thrilled with the success.“I just wanted people to have it,” Baxter explained. “I’d worked so hard making this album and if I’d sold it, it would have only reached a few hundred people. I just cared so much more about people having it, listening to it, sharing it with their friends and hopefully identifying with the songs.” Man, I wish more people felt this way about their music.
Songs “Go” and “Love Love Love” from Avalanche City’s “Love Love Love” EP were immediate favorites for me due to their upbeat lyrics and irresistible rhythm that I can’t help but tap my foot to. The ukulele used in the majority of his songs gives them such a sunny, care-free vibe, and Baxter’s vocals are superb.
Avalanche City currently performs live with a full band but remains a solo project from the mind of Baxter. His lyrics ring with sincerity and are full of heart and imagination. Avalanche City has an exciting, creative future ahead, and the music is sure to spark inspiration in listeners.