Avi Buffalo Interview: BeatCrave Exclusive

Avi Buffalo has pretty much been a band on the rise since they’ve first formed in Long Beach. The rise hasn’t just been steady or gradual either. As one of our Bands To Look Out For In 2010, we were completely correct in our hunch that this young band would accelerate faster than imaginable. Hype can be a scary thing for bands in the world of music bloggers talking you up or down because the buzz can die as quickly as it starts. However, with a brand new album released via Sub Pop and a record release show at Los Angeles’ famous Troubadour this weekend, Avi Buffalo has nothing to frown about now or in the near future.

We got to know Avi Buffalo over a year ago when we featured them in our Know Your LA Bands, but we just had to talk to their frontman about their accomplishments and hopes for the road ahead once more. Check out our exclusive interview with Avi as he talks about middle school wishes, Sub Pop and recording below!

So I heard I caught you right at the end of a Yours Truly session! How many sessions like that have you guys done so far?

Yeah we just left Different Fur. It’s a really cool legendary San Francisco studio that was designed by the same person who did Electric Ladyland in New York.  We’ve only done three or so sessions like that before. We did a session with Daytrotter a while ago and it was a really cool. I really like recording. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Live performances are fun too but I really love being in the studio and having the options to mess with sounds. Recording session are a lot of fun for me and it was cool to be that that zone.

The great thing about those sessions is that your fans can tune into you guys “live” whenever they want.

Yeah, I love the live recording thing. The people are always really pro and nice enough to be down with us to try stuff to hear again, have our fingers on the mix and check it out. It’s really great to be in such pro places like that. I feel privileged to have that opportunity.

Things have really taken off for you guys since the last time we talked. How are you handling the pace of things so far? Does it feel comfortably steady or is it overwhelming?

It can definitely be a little overwhelming. We just try to stick our music out there and have fans and friend inspire us.  We’re just trying to put on the best shows as possible. However, I’m looking forward to having some time off to clear my head and bring that energy back into the band. When I started this group, I definitely wanted to be involved in a lot of different mini projects and have this be a part of a lot of different things.

Do you think you’ll ever release a record outside of Avi Buffalo?

Yeah, absolutely. A lot of different things, hopefully. It’s just crazy for us right now because we’ve been waiting for a while for this record to come out; it took a while for us to record. It’s really awesome that it’s happening and a dream come true to open a box of actual vinyl – to  say “Wow, this is really an LP.” It’s a really flustering, exciting, awesome thing. I’m stoked about all the stuff going on. Plus, the shows.

You guys have had so many tour dates already including a lot of festivals. Which bill have you especially had fun being a part of?

There’s been tons. Back in the early days the time with Amnion, Aaron Embry’s band, and playing at Mr. T’s bowl in LA was a lot of fun – stuff like that. I’m really looking forward to the shows coming though.

That’s right. There are some big names coming up!

Exactly. It’s totally out of control we’re going to get to play with Modest Mouse. They’ve always been like a special, essential band all of us love and they’re just one of those groups who are doing things, musically,  that we’re really digging.  I’ve been jamming to Moon & Antarctica a bunch lately. It’s wild that that has happened. All Tomorrow’s Party  – I’m also really stoked for both of those. I never dreamed we would ever be able to play on a bill like that. It’s really intimidating to play with some really amazing bands, but I’m going to try and pick as many brains as possible, use some of that and, of course, enjoy the show.

When we were first confirmed for Sasquatch, we were like – “Yeah! we’re going to get to see Pavement! Then everyone was like “You’re to get to see them a FEW times!” Like, I’ve never seen Iggy Pop play with Mike Watt before. I’m a huge Mike Watt person. Contemplating the Engine Room! I knew him from back when he used to play in Long Beach. It’d be cool to see him play in The Stooges and hopefully say hey to him.

When you go home, is Long Beach still home for guys?

Yes, we all live there. Well our bassist lives in Huntington Beach but it’s just a few minutes down the road.

Are you guys okay with often being labeled as a Los Angeles band or do you want to make sure people distinguish Avi Buffalo as a Long Beach band?

I think we’re a lot more of a Long Beach brand. All of our friends we collaborate with, play with us and inspire us are in Long Beach. It’s nice because it’s a little isolated. It’s not so much of a crazy scene. Big music scenes can be awesome but it’s nice to not have that big of music scene so everyone can kind of do their own thing and be off in their own world. Now there’s a lot more because kids our age in Long Beach, who have just graduated a couple of years ago from high school, are starting bands… A lot of good friends we’ve known for a while who are artistic are going at it and it’s cool to see what they’re doing. I want to be a part of it as much as possible.

I don’t really care about the label. We just want to be making music but we’re proud to be from Long Beach. Being in an environment that is more mellow and suburban is good for me, at least.

Congrats on getting signed to Sub Pop! What’s the best thing about being part of the Sub Pop family now?

They’re the best people to work with. They give us complete freedom to work on things and that’s one of the best things you can get from a label: Freedom. They also have a lot of abilities to give us awesome shows and put out a record. I remember back in 8th or 9th grade when I’d be talking on aim with my friend Kristen. She would say things like – “Oh, I wish I could start a label like Sup Pop and put out bands on it.” We were just young and saying that it’s such a cool label, always good music. They had a lot of things we were listening to. So when it all happened, it was like whoa! They’re all rad people and motivated by the love they have for their bands. It’s a pretty magical unique place.

That’s kind of funny.

Yeah, it’s also funny because there’s also a connotation with the term “sub pop” – like a sound. Now that we’re in the context of “sub pop,” it’s also something to work against. If you have aspects that are traditional, rock, pop-y, or whatever, it gets more embellished  than other things you’d liked to be emphasized. It’s just an interesting challenge to find how to make the best of it but do your own thing.

Also, a great band on Sub Pop is Happy Birthday. They’re amazing. It’s great to see them live and hang out with them, shoot the shit and play guitar. There are awesome bands on Sub Pop who are doing beautiful stuff but everyone involved just seems so friendly, says hi and mingles.

Your record release show is one of the big shows to go to in May.

Thanks! Yeah, it’s really exciting. All our friends and family will be there.

Got anything up your sleeve?

Um… no, not really, haha. Nothing crazy is going to happen. I’d like something to happen but it’s probably just going to be the best show we can possibly play. I’m hoping we can bring something to the table!

Avi Buffalo’s Record Release Show for their self-titled album is at The Troubadour in West Hollywood tomorrow night, May 1st. The show starts at 8:00 PM. Don’t miss out!

Photography by Jeff Antebi courtesy of Sup Pop Records