Holiday Friends

Holiday Friends is an indie rock band from Astoria, OR. Founding members Scott Fagerland, Jon Fagerland, and Zack O’Connor formed the band while attending University in the Pacific Northwest. After a few years of experimentation, they solidified their lineup with Portland musician Joey Ficken (Sea Wolf, Swords). Ever since, Holiday Friends, has been carving out their own niche in the indie scene with sharp hooks, shimmering synths, pulsing rhythms, and energetic vocals. The band recorded their official debut, “Major Magic” with Kevin Robinson (Viva Voce, Blue Giant) at Woodlawn Studios in Portland, OR. The album was released in 2014 to a sold-out crowd at Portland’s Mississippi Studios. Following their debut, Holiday Friends’ upbeat, danceable, synth-rock has landed them on Portland’s Alternative Radio 94.7 FM, OPB Music, and various TV shows including Shameless and MTV’s Awkward.

Now, Holiday Friends works from their own studio in Astoria, OR where they continually self-record and produce music to be mixed by L.A. based producer, and audio engineer, Chris Sorem (Avi Buffalo, Vulfpeck, Rufus Wainright). With their latest EP entitled “Most of Us” the group hone in the pop and dance elements that they are best known for, while also expanding their use of samples, and experimental production. The title track pumps along with a club style kick drum, making surprising use of the infamous orchestra hit, vocal samples, and distorted synth leads. Juxtaposed with the upbeat feel of the record, are introspective lyrics about living a dual lifestyle that is an inevitable part of being in an indie band, paying the bills, and struggling to maintain enthusiasm in an increasingly cynical landscape.

“Since 2008, the Astoria band Holiday Friends has specialized in exuberant pop-rock music, stuffing songs with vibrant synths, driving rhythms and earworm melodies.” -1859 Magazine