Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick is on vacation with his family, which includes three young sons. It’s a brief getaway for the Fitz and the Tantrums frontperson, coming just ahead of the release of the band’s sixth album, Man on the Moon, and a 31-date headlining summer tour.
“So much testosterone and shitty listening,” he says of fathering three boys. “But they’re my dudes and they’re good dudes. I usually have to tour most summers, so I try to sneak a vacation with them at the beginning, which is why I coordinated this one.”
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Summer is peak season for Fitz and the Tantrums’ party-starting jams. Fitz and bandmate Noelle Scaggs recently joined the Savannah Bananas on the Banana Ball field last month to perform their perennial, happy-making smash, “Handclap.” Their choreographed rendition with the exhibition barnstorming baseball team had the whole stadium clapping and singing along.
Most of Man on the Moon keeps this uplifting tone. The album nods to the band’s origins, recalling their 2010 full-length debut, Pickin’ Up the Pieces—a collection of feel-good bops influenced by Motown, ’60s soul, and ’80s new wave. Since then, Fitz and the Tantrums have racked up a string of radio hits and navigated multiple sonic evolutions, ultimately coming full circle.
“Having a hit is fun,” says Fitz. “It’s an experience to see your song become a cultural phenomenon. To get to have a piece of music you made live that, is incredible. We’ve been lucky enough to do it a bunch of times. But there’s a lot of expectation that goes with that, even for myself.”
Radio no longer being the dominant force in breaking songs gave Fitz a sense of freedom. He was liberated from the pressure to deliver an album full of hits. Instead, as the band’s primary songwriter, he prioritized “feeling over gusto.” Still, Man on the Moon is loaded with signature Fitz and the Tantrums party bangers, including “Young Days,” “Umbrella,” and “OK OK OK.”
“When I sing from my heart, and I sing in a more soulful way, it feels the most natural, and that’s where my voice is always shining the brightest,” he says.
While Fitz and the Tantrums aren’t a political band, Fitz couldn’t ignore the onslaught of absurd news headlines that shaped daily life. That unease seeped into “One Day” on Man on the Moon, where he confronts the hate he sees in the world. “It’s horrifying to see the glibness and callousness and the way that people think they can speak to each other,” he says. “Trying to explain to my three young boys, trying to teach them right from wrong in a very crazy time, that shit is real.”
Fitz has found an antidote—at least temporarily. Here, he shares 10 essential vacation destinations for when you need a break from the news cycle.
Marseille, France
It’s like Paris, but with sunshine and a sea breeze.
Calanques of Cassis, France
A stunning national park, think Yosemite on the ocean. Take a boat trip to really catch a vibe.
Aix-en-Provence, France
An incredible city in the south of France with an amazing arts festival every summer.
Bandol, France
It’s a sleepy beach town on the French Riviera that’s perfect for some low-key beach vibes without the crowds.
Saint-Tropez, France
They have an amazing flea market for incredible vintage clothing finds, and you can do some spying on the ultra-rich yachts in the port.
Rapallo, Italy
A quieter town near Portofino. Same vibe, less crowds.
San Fruttuoso, Italy
Take the ferry from Rapallo to this cove you can only reach by boat. There’s one small beach club, two restaurants, and one church. It’s not to be missed!
Fiskardo, Greece
It’s like living in a nature preserve. Come here to truly feel like you escaped the world. Don’t miss the cliff diving at Foki Beach!
Bobbio, Italy
It’s less than two hours from Milan. You can get a taste of Tuscany without having to drive all the way there.
Dolomites, Italy
Incredible summertime hikes in the Italian alps, and incredible food.
The Essentials is a thematic annotated list where artists share their top ten non-music-related (but potentially music-adjacent) items.
To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
