This unsigned band from NYC is one of the best things I have listened to lately. Its fresh and exciting. Nothing revolutionary, indie rock meets african music, but it's tasteful and different.
Have a try yourself by listening 4 tracks on their myspace page. As Stereogum put it very well, it's 'Paul Simon meets The Walkmen'. I hope for them to go far because their music is really a breath of fresh air.
Here are a few questions answered by Ezra.
Where are you guys from? How did you start playing music together?
I'm from New Jersey as is Chris Tomson. Baio's from Westchester and Rostam's from DC. We all went to college together and known each other for a few years before starting Vampire Weekend towards the end of our (except Baio's) senior year.
Are you aware that you sound is already quite mature and your own? Is that something that came spontaneously or something you have thought about a lot before/since starting playing?
At one point, I tried to write a manifesto (in the Tintin font) because we all felt strongly that Vampire Weekend should have a unique and cohesive vibe. I never finished the manifesto but there's totally a spirit of keeping things Vampire Weekend-y (although that's a pretty malleable concept). What do you expect from the band: having a bit of fun or do you take it seriously and your aim is to release records, tour and make a living of it?
We'd love to make a living off of music and we're certainly going to try to do it.
Your music brings together indie stuffs with world/african music: if you were to guide any indie kids (i.e. anyone) into listening some world/african artists, which 2/3 records would you recommend them to get their ears on? Is that something you listen regularly? Where does it come from ( i.e. your parents used to listen to it at home when you were younger, travelling...)?
Honestly, the best way to hear cool African music is probably through blogs like Benn Loxo du Taccu. There was another great one called "Awesome Tapes from Africa" which doesn't seem to get updated much these days. They're both run by guys who've lived/spend a lot of time in Africa and unearth stuff most Americans would probably never hear otherwise.
In terms of actual artists/records:
Orchestra Baobab is pretty incredible. I saw them when they were in New York a few years ago and I was seriously impressed. Their record "Pirate's Choice" is cool and has a nice name.
The 1986 compilation "Madagasikara Two" is kind of hard to find but awesome. I used to buy tons of records at yard sales and somehow acquired this one. I didn't listen to it until years later (right around when VW started).
My dad had some Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade records so that must have been the first African music I heard.
Info on who is releasing your first 7'' and EP in May (label, dates...).
We're doing the 7" with Free News Projects which is an extension of the Philadelphia art gallery Space 1026. We're self-releasing the EP and we can't give any exact dates yet, but hopefully very soon.
Your plans until the end of the year?
We're planning a national tour for July with some sporadic touring and recording in August. We might do a short-ish tour with Dirty Projectors which would be awesome! The fall will probably involve a lot of college shows. Maybe get a full-length out by early 2008.
IN DA BLOG
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