Vacances has just released their debut EP, Last Summer and I had the opportunity to interview frontman Danny Lannon, who formed the 80’s inspired indie rock group in 2015.

The now New York-based trio also consists of Nick Gonzalez (guitar) and Dan Bindschedler (Bass). And while the threesome are relatively new to Vacances, they are not new to the music scene, and each have experience touring the world performing in major festivals! Get to know them a little bit more here:

Indiecation: I hear you all came from different bands…what is the common thread in Vacances that brought you all together?

Danny: I think we all have a passion for a lot of the 80’s/90’s songs we grew up around. We’re all about the same age (give or take a year) and grew up on a lot of the same music. That really drives a bond that brings us pretty close to one another.

You’re based in NY now, but I see you’re not all from there. How are you liking NY? Any thoughts or impressions about the current music scene there and how Vacances fits?

We’re still kind of learning about it. It’s all new to us, but we love it!

You have two singles out now, “Runaway” and “Only You.” (Congrats!) When are you planning on releasing your upcoming album?

It actually was just released today. Well, its an EP with a small taste of whats to come! We hope to have more music out this fall.

Any plans to go on tour? When and where?

Yes, we’ll be heading to Japan in September and doing some recording in Bangkok, Thailand!

New Wave music appears to be a heavy influence in your latest singles. What did you all listen to growing up, and how has it affected the music you aspire to create?

We all listened to a lot of punk/pop punk growing up. But I think also being kids of the late 80’s we had influences from bands like New Order, Joy Division, Duran Duran, and Depeche Mode, which I think helps bring us together as a band and inspires us when writing new music.

What role did music play in your lives growing up and when did you decide to become musicians?

I can’t speak for the other guys, but I’ve always wanted to be a musician—ever since I could make sound with my voice.

What do you love most about playing music, particularly in Vacances?

The music I played before was really pop-based and this band just allows us to let loose a little more. We’ll always have some pop to us, but we get to be a bit more edgy and raw in Vacances.

What’s your favorite and least favorite part about performing live?

I don’t think there is anything bad about performing live. We love it all. I guess the hardest part is if your soundcheck isn’t great. That always makes us or any band nervous.

What’s your favorite place to create and perform music?

99% of the time I’m sitting in my bed with headphones on. However, I love being in the recording studio. It just gets pricey ;).

If you could play one song for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

This one is really tough. I don’t think I have one song that I’d be able to play over and over and over. But, I know if there was one if would have to be something with a lot of layers. It’s nice to put a song on the back burner and come back to it. But for now we’re still writing new material. So time will tell!

Care to share your thoughts on the current music scene? What genre needs to be revived and/or what should fade away?

I think every kind of music has a place. I can’t guarantee that I’ll enjoy it but, we try to be as open minded as possible. In terms of the current music scene, NY is still new to us. So we’re all just kind of getting used to it all!

Share the most profound show you’ve been to and what kind of impact it made.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have grown up in music venues and have been able to see a lot. I’d say the show that really got me going and wanting to play music would probably be a private taping during a Green Day HBO special when I was around 7 years old. And then seeing them again at small venues in the Bay Area like The DNA Lounge and The Uptown (RIP).

Do you have a message for those just starting out in their bands and want to make it big?

Just do whatever you want. Don’t worry about whatever songs are out now. Play what you want to play and don’t be afraid to get weird. Also, embrace the internet. There is so much you can do to push yourself around the globe.

Anything else you’d like to share, or that we should know about Vacances?

We’ll be releasing new material this fall, stay tuned!

Take a listen to Last Summer here:

Photos courtesy of Sneak Attack Media.