The Holidays

The indie pop outfit the Holidays originated in Australia during 2007, with singer/guitarist Simon Jones at its creative core. High-school friend Will Magnus contributed synths and guitar, while bassist Alex Kortt and drummer Andrew Kerridge completed the lineup. They cultivated an idiosyncratic pop approach drawing on African and tropical rhythms, which led to a 2008 deal with Liberation Music and the simultaneous rollout of two early EPs, The Holidays and When the Ship Goes Down. Strong critical notices and radio exposure both locally and overseas prompted a year of focused work on the debut album Post Paradise, issued in late 2010. Its polyrhythmic grooves and sunny hooks helped it achieve solid commercial traction and a nomination for the Australian Music Prize. Promotion occupied the balance of 2010 and all of 2011, encompassing Australian headline dates plus festival slots at Austin’s SXSW and Brighton’s the Great Escape. Jones spent time in Berlin developing initial ideas for the follow-up record. Captured across three years in domestic and international studios, the resulting second album Real Feel surfaced in 2014 with a leaner aesthetic incorporating chillwave, dream pop, and shoegaze textures. Will Magnus exited prior to release, after which the band carried on as a trio.