(12th January) –– Today, two-time platinum-selling Australian band Vacations release their long-awaited new album, 'No Place Like Home'. The record follows an intense period of transformation for the lead singer Campbell Burns, who was diagnosed with Pure OCD (or “Pure O”), a subtype of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder marked by intrusive, unwanted, and uncontrollable thoughts. His experiences learning to live with this while touring the world informed the record, which also engages in nuanced discussions around personal growth and sexuality.
The band tapped Georgia Maq, formerly of the band Camp Cope, for their last official music video for the album release single, “Over You”. The band explains, “I thought it would be really fun to lean into this idea of ‘Over You’ as an exploration of self-obsession. The high peaks and low valleys of ego just make for a funnier visual story, I think. We'd saved a silly goofy video until last. I'd originally planned for Campbell to be in the role of protagonist and therapist, but circumstances meant none of us would be in the same city at the same time to work with the director, Jax Anderson, and their wonderful team. To our rescue came Australian darling Georgia Maq, of Camp Cope fame. We were so lucky to have them involved, and their charisma really brought a sensuality and hilarity that was needed.”
Following 2020’s 'Forever In Bloom' album, 'No Place Like Home' finds the Newcastle, Aus DIY outfit comprised of Burns and bandmates Jake Johnson, Nate Delizzotti, and Joseph Van Lier, expanding their trademark melodic indie rock to new sonic horizons. The first Vacations record to be produced by Campbell Burns and an outside producer, John Velasquez (Zella Day, Broods), it comprises 10 shimmering tracks brimming with indie-pop hooks and just a touch of bittersweet sensitivity.
“I had this loose concept of 'No Place Like Home' being an Americana-influenced album,” Campbell says of the album’s sonic inspirations. “I wanted to incorporate more pianos, acoustic guitars, Nashville tuning, and country-inspired lap steel, but then also bringing in drum machines and synths and finding a mix between the two.”
The album features singles, “Terms & Conditions,” “Midwest,” “Close Quarters,” and the buzzy radio single, “Next Exit,” which has over 15 million streams.
Vacations' feverishly expanding fanbase has seen the band play host to multiple sold-out UK tours in 2023, including a rapturous headline at The Garage and a slot at All Points East supporting The Strokes.
Vacations have lots to celebrate with the new release. They were picked by Pandora as one of their ten artists to watch for 2024, their single, “Telephones,” was certified platinum in the United States in December, marking their second platinum track stateside (the other is “Young”), and they will make their debut TV performance on CBS Saturday Morning tomorrow, January 13th. To cap it off, they will host a private release party with a performance and Q&A at Brain Dead Studios in Los Angeles on January 16th.
A DIY affair from the get-go, the band Vacations formed in 2016 primarily as a songwriting vehicle for Campbell Burns, Burns later adding band members Jake Johnson, Nate Delizzotti, and Joseph Van Lier. Their song “Young” is certified Gold in Canada, Australia, and Poland, and is certified Platinum in the U.S., and their single “Telephones” is also certified Platinum in the US as of December 2023. The band has racked up over 1.5 billion streams worldwide, an average of 55 million streams/month, including over 675 million streams within the last year and over 2.2m Shazam’s.
Not just a streaming band, the group has become known for their raucous live shows, doubling venues from 500 capacity to 2,000+ in under two years. They sold out both of their headline US tours since 2022 that included sold-out dates at Webster Hall (NYC) and The Novo (LA), as well as selling out their first ever UK tours including a sold-out show at The Garage in London. The band have also performed at Austin City Limits, All Things Go Festival, The Great Escape, All Points East, and The Sounds Project in Indonesia. They are confirmed for Laneway Festival in Australia later this month and Treefort Festival in March.
Vacations' new album 'No Place Like Home' is out now, released today 12th January via Nettwerk. New single "Over You" is out now. Vacations will perform on Jimmy Kimmel on 25th January. Stay tuned for more from Vacations in 2024.
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