‘Nu-hula’ group will play Thursday on Greene during Vacationland tour
The Vacationland tour found a perfect match for its namesake in Vacationer, an American “nu-hula” crew that rose from Philadelphia and Brooklyn, N.Y.
The electronic experimentation group, which consists of Kenny Vasoli on lead vocals and bass, Matthew Young on vibraphone, Ryan Zimmaro on drums, Michael Mullin on keyboard and Greg Altman on guitar, is set to take the stage Thursday for the Sperry Top-Sider Vacationland Tour on Greene Street, which is being coordinated by Carolina Productions.
“We were part of a short college tour for Sperry last spring on the West Coast, and we are making two of the shows this time around on the East Coast,” Vasoli said.
The band’s members say they’re excited to be playing alongside friends and mentors Manchester Orchestra, though they were not completely sure of the particular sounds and styles of the other bands they would be teaming up with.
“Obviously, when it comes to performing with bands we don’t totally know, it can kind of swing in either direction of cool and awkward. In this case, it is definitely going to be awesome,” Vasoli said.
Vacationer has had plenty of practice playing alongside other bands, though, from their very first tour with Denmark poppers Asteroid Galaxy Tour to gigs with British indie-rockers Bombay Bicycle Club.
Though the band has aspirations to play shows internationally, the band wants to stay focused on its cross-country tour, which starts April 15.
This road trip lines up with a new album release. The disc was mastered just a month ago, and it is still being finalized before it hits the marketing department.
“It’s hard for me to talk about the record because I’ve been listening to it so much,” Vasoli said. “However, I know that I love the record, and it’s exactly what I wanted to make. Everybody seems to be really excited about it.”
The album won’t officially be released until June, but a single is expected to drop around the time Vacationer takes to the asphalt.
“It’s a step forward from the last record,” Vasoli added. “Sonically, it’s a little bit more energetic and has this dimension of a cinematic ’60s/’70s soundtrack throwback.”
After Vacationer’s feel-good, static-laced and sonically playful hits like “Good as New” and “Trip,” the next record is sure to bring that same vibe but with heightened influence and experience. The band is planning on debuting some of its fresh songs at USC Thursday.
“We’re over the moon excited about playing the show,” Vasoli said. “Come on out and listen to some of our new tracks.”