This is just a backup of the original interview. You should check the original one here.

Interview

By Brian Spiegel @ Skratch Magazine
With Vinnie
On October, 2005

Sometimes short and sweet is more impressive than long and drawn out. For example: that three minute pop song is sometimes more intriguing than that challenging seven-minute opus that has that three minute oboe solo. I guess what I'm getting at is that as an interviewer I love it when an artist can keep it short and sweet yet portray the stories and emotions of a long, drawn out interview. Plus if you give love to The Decemberists then you are already ok in my book.

From the ashes of The Movielife, one of the most underrated bands of the new millennium (the song "Walking on Glass" remains an iPod favorite), comes lead singer Vinnie Caruana's new band, I Am the Avalanche. While not a complete departure from the harder pop/punk sound of The Movielife, I Am The Avalanche utilizes strong, conflicting vocals and a hell of a collection of transplanted musicians (guitarist Brandon Swanson formally of Further Seems Forever, bassist Kellen Robson of Scrapes and Heart Attacks, Michael Ireland on guitar and Brett Romnes on drums) to make a debate album that sounds both new and established at the same time.

I got a chance to talk to Vinnie about his new band via the e-mail. As I said before, the answers were short and sweet with an emphasis on letting his true self hang out. Dr. Phil would be proud.

So how did you jump from the breakup of The Movielife to creating I Am the Avalanche?
It wasn't really a jump. More like a stroll. It took a while and that was important. I needed to wait until I was ready and it felt right.

Do you find that with I Am the Avalanche you get to use a lot more of your vocal range? I noticed in just a few songs how much you vary your voice on your record.
Yes, thanks for noticing. I definitely have a lot more fun singing now.

Your bio says that following the breakup of The Movielife you did construction for awhile. How much of a jolt was it to go back to the real world after spending years playing music?
It was scary for sure! I was depressed. My life was really weird until this band started, bouncing from thing to thing and not really feeling like myself.

Describe the writing process for I Am the Avalanche vs. for The Movielife. The lyrics seem much more personal.
These lyrics are way better; flat out. I have way more of a grasp on myself then back then. I pay a lot more attention to the lyrical side of things.

Was there a theme that ran through the album?
In the beginning it was a bit morbid, but not in a completely negative way. Then it was sarcasm. The songs have totally different vibes in my brain.

Your bio says that you worked on the Head Automatica album. How was that experience?
Actually I joined closer to the end of the recording process. We started rehearsing for shows. It was amazing being around my good friends and playing tunes. Living in San Francisco was so fun.

When you were writing most of these songs did you ever envision them being released or was the writing more for your sanity at that time?
I had no plans for a band. I just wanted to write: let it out, get positive again. The way I exist as a positive being is to let it all out in a song.

Describe a typical I Am the Avalanche live show.
Intensity and sincerity. We want to be there and we want people to believe in the spirit of our band. It's a family vibe.

What kind of music are you listening to right now?
The Streets, George Harrison, and The Decemberists.

I Am the Avalanche seems like a very personal, deep band name. Would you like to share what it means?
It's me. That's what I was when I named the band: an extremely volatile thing that was ready to spill over. I wrote it in a lyric and then just used it as a name. I was toying around with other names but as soon as I wrote that down I knew.

How did CMJ go?
One of our best shows! New York City is our home and they are always great to us. That was a great day.

After your tour what is up next for I Am the Avalanche?
Two weeks with the Honorary Title, one week with Piebald, and then the U.K. with Gym Class Heroes. And we are currently on tour with Bayside.

It's rare that an artist who is so lyrically open on a record gives such open answers. Open answers lead to a good interview. Good interviews lead to new fans. New fans lead to good sales of I Am the Avalanche's self titled debut album out now on Drive Thru records. New fans lead to great live shows, like the ones that the band will be playing on the west coast in mid October with Rock Kills Kid and The Audition. Go to the shows, support good music and make sure you give Vinnie a nice, big hug.

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