New York indie band Vampire Weekend have had quite a wild ride since their 2007 song “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” first won over music fans in the U.S. and U.K.
Now, nearly two years since they appeared on the proverbial indie rock radar, the band has become one of the biggest buzz bands of the past 18 months, gracing the cover of Spin magazine, appearing on Saturday Night Live, and touring extensively to sold out crowds on three continents.
Vampire Weekend’s unique blend of catchy indie pop with upbeat African influences – the band prefers to call it ‘Upper West Side Soweto’ – has made them extremely popular. But a good chunk of ‘indie’ music fans ridicule them as preppy, corny and way over hyped. Such a critique of the band is largely true. In fact, Vampire Weekend, as a band, and despite their success, is often the butt of jokes and the antithesis of what other view indie rock to be.
Perhaps more aware of this image problem than anyone else, the band members have already begun to take time off from Vampire Weekend to work on other musical projects. Keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij teamed up with Ra Ra Riot leader singer and friend Wes Miles – who began recording together back in 2005 – under the moniker Discovery. Their spectacular debut album, simply titled LP, was released earlier this year. The LP oozes with electro pop and hi-fi sonic sounds, at times reminiscent of a mash between Kayne West meets Animal Collective meets, of course, Vampire Weekend.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Erza Koenig has also kept busy with moonlighting projects, including singing on The Very Most song called “Warm Heart Of Africa”.
“Osaka Loop Line” – Discovery from LP (2009)
“Warm Heart Of Africa” (featuring Erza Koenig) – The Very Best, ‘7 inch (2009)
