My Favorite Drug: A Q&A with Vlad Holiday

By El Weiss

Described as looking at past relationships with dark-colored lenses, Vlad Holiday is the epitome of moody indie rock and he channels his inner rage towards the human condition into his art. This autumn, Holiday had the opportunity to tour with Declan McKenna. In the past, he has also collaborated and toured with other major artists such as Cage the Elephant. November 15th, Holiday released his much awaited debut album My Favorite Drug.

The Q&A

This one is my favorite abstract question to open an interview. Who are you and what do you do? 

I'm Vlad, and I'm trying to figure out and enjoy my time on a rock floating through space.

Describe the album in three words?

Introspective, romantic, lethargic.

What’s the key inspiration for your new album? 

Figuring out my brain.

This is your debut album. Was it different from what you initially anticipated?

Yeah, I didn't realize I was writing an album until I was halfway through it.

How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?

My elevator pitch is usually something like verbed out crooner vocals over break beats and 808's.

What songs do you currently have on repeat?

I have a 60s French pop playlist I put on a lot. Serge Gainsbourg, Francoise Hardy, stuff like that.

What’s next after the tour concludes? Do you have a favorite memory from it?

I have a couple of headline shows. [I have] no further plans, which is kind of nice. [I’m] hoping to tour as much as I can though - getting to do that a little more this year has been a big highlight for sure. 

Has touring and working with Declan had an impact or influence on your album?

The album was done before this tour, but yeah I'm sure this'll influence future projects. Everything always does. Declan and his crew are so sweet and getting to share the stage together every night was a blast.