PREMIERE | The Holiday Crowd, "Party Favours"

Out of the smoke and haze with The Holiday Crowd’s (from left) Alex Roberts and Imran Haniff; photographed by Keith Haist.

With the globe embarking upon what is alleged to be the endemic phase to the world’s collective nightmare; the kernels and glowing embers of hope and new happenings are upon us and around us. Certainly challenges remain, from a pandemic that is still far from over and geopolitical fracases that continue on account of our world’s regressive foreign and domestic policies and so forth — despite all this beams of light can be witnessed, piercing through the tempestuous storm clouds. A weary universe seeks to reclaim those vestiges of happiness, all the little things taken for granted that we never quite knew how much they meant in the larger picture of our existence. Returning to this new work in progress reality is scary, the world is scary, as we globally traverse through the flames and torment of renewal. Through the struggles of change presents new paradigms, new places to play, think, reconfigure, rearrange, reimagine, rebuild and transform in new conscious ways. We can largely once again reunite with the many that we have not had the pleasure of congregating with in so long. Human meetings and events can increasingly more and more take place in real life, in-person, not just between the cold and distanced video chats. In the words of Canadian-English outfit The Holiday Crowd:

Holidays & crowds have been restricted for almost two years. Not for much longer. We can taste that early summer sun...

Broadcasting solar pop season vibes are Imran Haniff and Alex Roberts who present an early listen to the a-side of their new Shelflife 7” Party Favors and racetrack visuals from Shelby Fenlon. Introducing the world to their self-anointed Sounds of Scarborough with their 2012 debut Over the Bluffs; The Holiday Crowd resurrect the angular art school deco to introduce more razzmatazz to a world lacking in loverly romanticism and the overall spirit of jubilee. The duo specializes in the esoteric suave DIY dance pop sensibilities reminiscent of ultra-rare 12” maxi-singles excavated from the most cherished record shops of discerning and distinct tastes. THC leads with heart and a gentle hand that extends to the humble, dimly lit ballroom spaces of a treasured dive, rocking with the rhythms of everything from the first date jitters to the seasoned affections and adoration that grow exponentially in the most mysterious and curious of manners.

"Party Favours" feels like a late spring escape to a soiree as the solstices shift to the abandon of sweet summer dalliances. The Holiday Crowd lyrically amplifies the inner monologues like visiting an exquisite event hosted by a friend of friends, navigating the awkward social terrain of debutantes and dilettantes and all the exhaustive interpersonal narratives and histories. The song plays out like a complicated romantic film short of missed connections, new bonds ignited and new laughter shared over excited anecdotes and exuberant antics like a Fellini scene spliced with French nouvelle vague exchanges. The b-side "Bullet Train" rides with the motions of being down in a tube-station at midnight with ambience that emulates the whirl of subterranean winds, rails and the sensation of speeding through tunnels. The Holiday Crowd continues the thought trail lines witnessed on the a-side into the conclusion of the evening, where restless feelings and desires take parallel routes and directions in the interconnective webs of transit that stretches homeward bound in the wee hours of the morning. As the scenarios and reruns of dialogue from the evening play out in the mental theater of a sleepy party goer, matters of the heart and hopes for all that could have been (and all that still could be) spin about like a film reel with chords and percussion to match the wheels of a midnight train destined for all of the involved characters’ respective boroughs.

Shelby Fenlon's video for "Party Favours" takes the audience to the Woodbine Racetrack in Ontario, Canada to behold a world of horse jockeys, equestrian spectacles and spectators. Immersed in the Cheltenham chic; The Holiday Crowd juxtaposes their casual sports of amour in a day at the races that feels vintage, new and timeless all at the same time. "Party Favours" feels like an exquisite date at the track in an event of pomp, circumstance, ceremony and high emotive sentiments.

Kicking it with The Holiday Crowd’s Alex Roberts and Imran Haniff; photographed by Keith Haist.

Imran Haniff and Alex Roberts provided us with the following notes and thoughts on the new single:

Sounds of Scarborough, presents...The Holiday Crowd. Expertly mixing musical styles from acid house, sophisto, funk, jazz, reggae, jangle, soul, metal, rock & roll, psychedelia, bossanova, hip-hop, punk, blues, or simply, great music. Okay… only some of those may apply...but great music, still. “Party Favours” is a crunchy coated beat happening, pricked-up guitar pulse that puts the listener on high alert, pocketing souvenirs from all genres.

 Why the heresy, for the life of me? - “Party Favours”

THC is swinging quite the big boss groove. The bass and drums smiting thunderous blows of rapid hoofs on a blighted racetrack. Falling somewhere on the dial of New Wave and the C86 spectrum, “Party Favours” tips its hat to the soul boy sound of 80s Bowie (Never Let Me Down), Shalamar (“A Night to Remember”) and The Blow Monkeys (“Digging Your Scene”).

The styles and gaze of Imran Haniff of The Holiday Crowd; photographed by Keith Haist.

What I have you will never get; I poured my heart out… it goes unnoticed - “Bullet Train”

The B-side – “Bullet Train” is a simple story of quiet invasions. It serenely slaloms through hills and valleys — dreamlike. The pace, relentlessly rhythmic, seamlessly manic, taking hold of you. Straight out of a thriller sci-fi romance. Escapists in motion. Spy vs. spy. Eventually collapsing from the weight of neglect.

In the low lit glow of The Holiday Crowd’s Alex Roberts; photographed by Keith Haist.

Let the records show, you’ve reached your Lover’s quota… - “Party Favours”

The video for “Party Favours” was filmed at Woodbine Racetrack, Ontario, Canada by artist and film photographer, Shelby Fenlon. It captures a glimpse into the world of Cheltenham pastiche and victorious elation. We are spun around the track through images of reveling spectators, fine Arabian Chargers and flashy whip jockeys.

We’ve arrived…It's a day at the races.

The Holiday Crowd's new 7" “Party Favours” b/w “Bullet Train” will be available on digital April 15 and on vinyl June 17 via Shelflife Records.