Revisionist alt rock band Basic Vacation aren’t exactly shy about wearing their hook-driven, late-90’s melodic heart proudly on their sleeves – they recently opened for Third Eye Blind if that’s any indication. But far from being swept up in the flood of vacant, blank-stare pop that floods the radio every year, Basic Vacation have brought a shimmering pop iridescence to their churning rock songs which sees them sitting quite comfortably in the musical atmosphere of ‘97. But far from unjustifiably appropriating another decade’s sound – or any other artist for that matter – they blend a casual melodic effortlessness with wide-eyed pop/rock rhythms to create songs that appeal to the head as well as the arena. Their lead single, “I Believe,” channels enough rock pomp and pop grandeur to fill a score of stadiums but also feels perfectly suited to long trips with the windows down. You’ll be able to hear more of their roiling rock mix when they release their self-titled debut EP on October 15th via Atom Factory Music/Capitol Records.
But you can get a bit of a head start by listening to the album (EP) sampler below. Borrowing bits and pieces from alt rock’s storied legacy, the band creates a vibrant, chugging pop landscape in which their songs can freely roam. Alternating between pop/rock catharsis and intimately drawn out narratives, the songs on Basic Vacation well up with an internal life that keeps them moving along at a steady clip – with the music becoming a beating musical heart that will echo in your ears long after the music fades. And forget what you think you know about modern pop music; Basic Vacation makes every percussive thump, vocal flip, and rippling guitar line sound brand new.
Beats Per Minute is pleased to premiere the album sampler for Basic Vacation’s upcoming self-titled debut EP.
The band will also be heading out on an October tour supporting Australian rockers Alpine. They’ll be making their way across the U.S., but first, they open the tour with a show at Toronto’s Drake Hotel. Check out the dates for their brief fall tour below.
Basic Vacation Tour Dates:
Oct 11 – Toronto, ONT – Drake Hotel
Oct 13 – Providence, RI – Fete Lounge
Oct 15 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
Oct 16 – NYC, NY – Bowery Ballroom (CMJ/CAA Showcase)
Oct 17 – Philadelphia, PA – Hard Rock Cafe
Oct 18 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen
Oct 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Nether Bar
Oct 24 – San Francisco, CA – Popscene @ Rickshaw
Oct 26 – San Louis Obispo, CA – Avila Beach Resort
Oct 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Bardot – KCRW “School Night”
And as a bonus, check out the band’s video for single “I Believe” below. And make sure to head over to iTunes to pick up a copy.
