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'''Vampire Weekend''' is an [[indie |
'''Vampire Weekend''' is an [[indie emo]] band from [[New York]], formed in 2006 and signed to [[XL Recordings]]. Their moniker is derived from lead singer Ezra Koenig's amateur film of the same name. The film centers around a younger Ezra fighting off vampires in scary masks in order to protect his virginity.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trailer: Vampire Weekend |work=LimeWire Music Blog|date=2008-01-29 |url=http://blog.limewire.com/posts/1138/}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Revision as of 07:57, 11 October 2008
Vampire Weekend |
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Vampire Weekend is an indie emo band from New York, formed in 2006 and signed to XL Recordings. Their moniker is derived from lead singer Ezra Koenig's amateur film of the same name. The film centers around a younger Ezra fighting off vampires in scary masks in order to protect his virginity.[4]
History
Vampire Weekend gained attention via a variety of blogs, such as Stereogum.[5] The band is influenced by both African popular music and Western classical music, describing their genre of music as "Upper West Side Soweto", performing such songs as "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa", and "Oxford Comma", which references Congolese soukous music.[3] An alternative description of their sound—"trust fund frat rock"—was given by fellow musician Nicholas Thorburn.[6][7]
The members of the band met while attending Columbia University; they then self-produced their first album after graduation while concurrently working full-time jobs. Lead vocalist Ezra Koenig and drummer Chris Tomson first collaborated as members of the comedy-rap band "L'Homme Run".[8]
In 2007, Vampire Weekend's song, "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa", was ranked 67th on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of the year. In November 2007, they toured the United Kingdom with The Shins.[9][10] They were declared "The Year's Best New Band" by Spin magazine in the March 2008 issue, and were the first band to be shot for the cover of the magazine before releasing their debut album.[11]
Criticism
In 2008, Vampire Weekend were dubbed the "whitest band" by Christian Lander, the creator of the site Stuff White People Like, in an interview with Salon.com.[12]
Band members
- Ezra Koenig (lead vocals, guitar)
- Rostam Batmanglij (keyboard, guitar, vocals)
- Chris Tomson (drums)
- Chris Baio (bass guitar)
Previous bands
The most notable previous project of the band is L'Homme Run, a rap group that Ezra Koenig formed during his time at college. The group was meant to be funny, but not actually a joke, a distinction which Ezra says ultimately doomed the project.[8]
Ezra Koenig also played saxophone in the free jazz improvisation collective Total War and avant-afro pop band Dirty Projectors, both based in NYC.
Discography
Albums
EPs
- Vampire Weekend EP (2007)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Pop 100 | |||
| 2007 | "Mansard Roof" | - | - | - | - | Vampire Weekend |
| 2008 | "A-Punk" | 55 | 106 | 25 | 91 | |
| "Oxford Comma" | 38 | - | - | - | ||
| "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" | 178 | - | - | - | ||
Compilation tracks
- They contributed a cover of "Exit Music (For a Film)" for OKX: A Tribute to OK Computer (2007), a digital album, compliments of stereogum.com, celebrating 10 years of Radiohead's album OK Computer.
- They contributed a track entitled "Ottoman" for Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (Soundtrack) (2008).
References
- ^ Abebe, Nitsuh (2008-01-28). "Record Review: Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend". Pitchfork Media.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Stewart, Alison (2008-01-29). "Vampire Weekend's African Transfusion". The Washington Post. p. C05.
- ^ a b "Preppie Afro-Pop and Other Odd Blends". The New York Times. 2007-06-18.
- ^ "Trailer: Vampire Weekend". LimeWire Music Blog. 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Band to Watch: Vampire Weekend". Stereogum. 2006-04-13.
- ^ http://www.paperthinwalls.com/listeningparty/index?id=74
- ^ http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/islands-cover-brian-eno-and-themselves-on-daytrott_009862.html
- ^ a b Greenwald, Andy (2007-02-25). "Vampire Weekend: The Graduates". Spin.
- ^ "The 100 best Songs of 2007". Rolling Stone. 2007-12-27.
- ^ "Vampire Weekend To Tour With The Shins". Angryape. 2007-10-11.
- ^ "Vampire Weekend: The Graduates". Spin. 2008-02-25.
- ^ "The Unbearable Whiteness of Being". Salon.com. 2008-7-5.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
Interviews
- Interview with Vampire Weekend at the Bwog
- Interview with Vampire Weekend at Wireless Bollinger
- Write-up on Vampire Weekend on Fader.com
- Vampire Weekend on Plum
- Vampire Weekend on Digforfire.tv