The Avalanches found that following up a successful album is like "wandering the desert looking for an oasis" as they sought the sound they wanted. They talk to Music 101.
The Avalanches (L-to-R: Tony Di Blasi, Robbie Chater, James Dela Cruz) Photo: Supplied
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It's been 20 years since The Avalanches released their chart-topping, critically acclaimed album Since I Left You.
In the past the Melbourne duo have spoken of the pressure of their first success and they famously took 16 years to release their follow up album Wildflower, but they are finally back again with their new album We Will Always Love You.
Tony Di Blasi caught up with Charlotte Ryan via Zoom to discuss the new release, and the incredible pressure they felt after the immense success of their first album.
Tony agreed the first album was influential although this emerged later - the initial success enabled the pair to tour worldwide.
"It wasn't until a few years later, it kind of grew in stature I guess... time went along and people would said to us: 'you realise that's a classic record'."
However, that added pressure to the duo - the other current member is Robbie Chater - who are perfectionists.
"We didn't want to just put something out quick so we could continue touring. We wanted to do it justice, I guess."
Rumours that the musicians faced legal battles over their songs were untrue, he said. Although they had written hundreds of songs, they were searching for the right sound and they felt like they were "wandering the desert".
"As we were wandering looking for the oasis, this pressure started growing as the years went on. So it all added up to being this hot mess of pressure and being in dark places from that.
"It wasn't until we got ourselves right personally and lost a lot of negativity, and kind of let go..."
Tony said they had to free themselves from feeling the pressure of a follow-up album and what people would think of it.
Life and positivity are themes of the new album and he likens it to a personal growth story from being in the depths of darkness to a much happier place.
The cover of We Will Always Love You. Photo: supplied
Many stellar musicians, including Leon Bridges, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, Blood Orange's Dev Hynes, Tricky and Sampa and Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell, avant-folk singer Vashti Bunya and Neneh Cherry, appear on the latest album.
Tony said they don't write a hitlist of who they should target but instead try and imagine how each artist would suit individual tracks.
They are always shocked and "freaked out" when such prominent artists agree to work with them.
The album has 25 tracks and he said there is no way they will comply with Spotify's demand for tracks under three minutes, and EPs, not albums. Spotify's influence has grown hugely in the last four years.
"We'll always do our own things - we're an album-focused band. We love that; we love putting together a whole experience of songs that all mean something and from start to finish you feel like you've been on a journey."
He wants people to listen to the album with "an open heart, without any judgement" and "experience it as it's coming to you".
"Don't have any expectations and just listen to it. And if you like it, you like it and if you don't you don't."
The duo hope to start touring in Australia in March and after that they'd like to visit New Zealand although he joked that he is still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from a bungy jump he made in Queenstown last year.