ROUGH ONLINE Conversation With Danny Lannon From Vacances

The alternative synth-pop duo Vacances are relentless on their brand new track “Hearts” as they showcase in-your-face, eccentric Dance music production we haven’t heard since Red One’s classic work for Lady Gaga, and sleazy vocal tones in the vein of Pop songwriter Mike Posner, that make you dance your arse off to the lyrics “your heart beat’s got me dancing.”

Taken from their forthcoming E.P “Strangers,” Danny Lannon and Alex Fitts definitely hint at what’s to be expected from them musically by throwing so many loud characteristics in “Hearts” reminiscent of loud Electro bands like LMFAO, and throwback keyboard sounds like the “clapper” in the chorus, similar to that heard in Euro-dance tracks like Alex Party’s “Read My Lips.” And let’s not forget that almost British-sounding accent in the verse-rap sections that give off a serious Punk vibe. You could almost label this banger as a 21st century tribute to Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right to Party.”

ROUGH ONLINE had the pleasure of interviewing Danny Lannon of the crazy duo, to find out more about their yet-to-be-released debut E.P:

ROUGH ONLINE: How did you both meet? And how long was it until you both found yourselves recording music together in the studio? 

VACANCES: We actually met through Facebook via a group called Artist Managers Connect. I'm pretty active in the group and I met Alex's manager Rich who introduced us. We hung out a couple times at Alex's Greenpoint studio out in Brooklyn and got along instantly. The rest is history.  

ROUGH ONLINE: Tell me what the inspiration was behind your new track "Hearts?''

VACANCES: I had a demo version of Hearts initially and it kind of started out a bit more chill and low key. I wanted to write about the cliche New York loft party nights that some of us have been to and how you see people headed home early in the morning doing the walk of shame. So it's kind of a sarcastic but also an experiential nod to that lifestyle in Bushwick.

ROUGH ONLINE: Does Hearts represent the overall sound of your forthcoming E.P "Strangers"? Or are we to expect other genres as well as the experimental Electro Pop sound you've got going on? 

VACANCES:Hearts is a pretty unique track on the record. I think it's the closest to a top 40-ish song I have. I look at it as being a bit more of a straight-up electro-pop song. Some of the other tracks have some indie rock and even a little 50's-esque feel. There's a song called Kids that has a really cool guitar line that kinda reminds me of Generationals or Peter Bjorn & John, and then there's another called Darkness that is a little bit of a Bloc Party throwback. So I'd say it's pretty well rounded.

ROUGH ONLINE: What is "Strangers" about? What themes lyrically do you explore on the E.P and what inspired its sound?

VACANCES: Strangers is about when you have a friend or ex that you've known forever and that person has been a big part of your life and the contrast that comes when that person exits your life for one reason or another. You'll walk down the street or be in a restaurant or on the subway and see each other and act like you've never seen them in your life. It's about how fragile human interactions are and how easy it is to write someone off and forget all the memories. Lyrically it touches on writing from a stranger's perspective, stories of people that I don't know and never will, personal relationship and friendship issues, and growing up and becoming more of an adult and realizing that time is catching up with you.

ROUGH ONLINES:How long have you been working on the E.P for?

Vacances: Alex and I worked on the EP for about 6 months. We work pretty fast and it probably could have been a full length with all the songs we demo'd.

ROUGH ONLINE:What are your plans after the release of "Strangers"?

Vacances:  Will there be a tour? And if so what are your current tour dates? Well, I already have about 25 new demos that I need to start tracking. After our trip I moved to LA and Alex moved to Spain. So we'll do some work remotely but also I'll be working with new folks around LA as well. I'm setting up a west coast summer tour and have a release show at The Mint in LA 6/20. But be on the lookout for Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco/Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Vegas, New York, Philly, and Boston soon.