This week sees the release of Real Feel (out Feb 21 through Liberation), the sophomore album from Sydney band The Holidays. “We’re excited!” revealed frontman Simon Jones when he spoke with Forte ahead of the release. “We’ve had a lot of these songs for a really long time now, so we just can’t wait for people to hear them.”
History has shown that many young bands struggle under the weight of pressure to surpass a popular debut (2010’s Post Paradise), but The Holidays seem to have taken it all in their stride. Choosing to take time out to travel and see the world was something that appealed to them and, as Simon discovered, this newfound freedom stirred their creative juices.
“We worked on bits and pieces everywhere – in studios and hotel rooms around the world. Old ideas were picked back up, including songs recorded at home and away. Real Feel is like a collage of years of recording.
“Working on our second album was different in a lot of ways. When we were making Post Paradise everything was very new – it was the first time I’d produced anything. We were like kids in a candy shop,” he laughed. “We didn’t really know what we were doing! This time around we were a little more deliberate. Generally there was less of a scatterbrain approach; everything was more planned.
“I was putting most of the pressure on myself. I wanted it [Real Feel] to be different enough from the first album so that it was new. Freshness in music for us is paramount, but I also wanted it to be good enough. Now we’re just happy that people want to hear it.”
Simon – who counts albums by British band Spiritualized, Toro y Moi and Deerhunter as some of his go-to records – said he was very careful not to listen to anything in too much depth while working on ‘Real Feel’ as it could be a distraction: “I never let myself get into anything too heavily as I believe it colours the music I’m making, but I definitely have favourite albums that I love listening to purely for pleasure.”
For your listening pleasure, The Holidays have released three singles off their latest offering: ‘Voices Drifting’, ‘All Time High’ and most recently, ‘Home’. These killer tracks and more can be heard live across Australia when the guys hit the road next month. Unfortunately Geelong missed out this time round, but Simon promises they’ll be back, so until then catch them at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne or the Karova Lounge in Ballarat.
“We’ve played the Karova Lounge countless times with some awesome bands – I think some of the best shows we’ve seen and played before. Victoria has the best regional venues and crowds. We can’t wait to play down there again.”
The guys will be joined by Brisbane indie four-piece The Cairos. Get in early – they’re definitely worth a listen.
When&Where: The Corner, Melbourne – March 20 & The Karova, Ballarat – March 21
Written by Natalie Rogers