Ezra Koenig names three English acts that shaped the “early days” of Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig has discussed some of his major musical influences, including three English acts that played a part in shaping his band’s early sound.
On April 5th, the band will release their new album, Only God Was Above Us. Although Vampire Weekend hails from New York City, Koenig and his bandmates spend much of their time in the UK, which is one of their four locations their upcoming LP was partially recorded.
While discussing the new album in a recent interview, Koenig revealed how it was inspired both by his hometown and the English capital. The singer noted that London is similar to New York but in an “old-school” style. “I’ve described it as being in a haunted way versus back in New York,” he told Apple Music’s Matt Wilkinson.
“Sometimes, when you’re living in all these different places. And also, you have a lot of time to yourself,” Koenig added.
He revealed that, although he has friends in London, he often finds himself walking the streets alone to kill spare time. “I’m just walking the streets of London, pounding the pavement, just thinking,” he added. “And naturally, your mind goes to the past and history and all the big stuff.”
While discussing making Only God Was Above Us in London, Koenig disclosed. “It’s called Promised Land. I think Fred Again helped build it with Ferdie. And so we had a little room there, and we’d walk over there and it was cool because less distractions than being in the States.”
Later in the conversation, Wilkinson mentioned that Koenig had recently praised some English bands on his Time Crisis radio show. “We were talking about the Squeeze song, ‘Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)’,” he recalled. “And I was thinking about the early days of Vampire Weekend, my rough mood board was, what is this roughly supposed to be?”
Koenig continued to list a few of his fundamental British influences. “I remember thinking and talking a lot about Squeeze, Elvis Costello, XTC, and so there always was this English thing,” he pondered. “Like any good American music fan, I grew up on so much English music.”
The London-born new wave band Squeeze are a particular favourite of Koenig’s. “They’re obviously an amazing songwriting team, and I’ve always loved their lyrics,” he said, “but yeah, I’ve always loved UK music. Then, when we came here, it was such an exciting time to be a young indie band.”
Vampire Weekend released its self-titled debut album in 2008, whereupon they became an overnight sensation on both sides of the Atlantic, buoyed by their seismic singles ‘A-Punk’. Only God Was Above Us, the band’s fifth studio album, will arrive on April 5th. Three days later, the band will celebrate with a special live-streamed concert at the Moody Amphitheater in Austin, Texas, to coincide with the solar eclipse.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.