Vampire Weekend takes a bite out of L.A.

The news is hot after Vampire Weekend performed their first ever West Coast show last night to a sold out crowd at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. "The hotly tipped New York quartet thrilled the crowd at the ASCAP showcase with their unique brand of African-beat influenced party music. The band tore through tracks from their self-titled debut EP, including the lively ska-influenced single 'A-Punk' and 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa'. "This one is call and response," frontman Ezra Koenig said when introducing 'One (Blake's Got A New Face)'. "It's about our friend Blake and the whole thing is a tribute to Metallica," he quipped. The audience, which included members of Cold War Kids and Rilo Kiley, danced non-stop throughout the 45-minute set. "It felt good to see so many people here," said keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij ,"The good weather really affects people--they like to dance." (NME). Way to represent New York boys! Tickets are on sale now for their Brooklyn Music Hall show on September 8th. Also, speaking of Cold War Kids anyone else notice their song playing during the credits of last nights' 'Entourage' episode? First Rosewood Thieves now Cold War Kids-man would i love to pick out music for HBO shows!
Vampire Weekend played:
'Mansard Roof'
'Campus'
'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa'
'M79'
'Bryn'
'I Stand Corrected'
'A-Punk'
'One (Blake's Got A New Face)'
'The Kids Don't Stand A Chance'
'Walcott'
Vampire Weekend-A-Punk.mp3
Vampire Weekend Tags

Vampire Weekend

Since i LOvE all things pertaining to Vampires ...cheesy horror movies, bats, yes even those over played Reese Peanut Buttercups commericals every Halloween...i felt like i had to post a bit about Vampire Weekend. Especially since every review i have read has been overflowing with acclaim for these local Brooklynites. And well, their music kicks-even if my co-workers think the name is out of control. Oh you silly Brooklyn bands- I LOVE! They are playing Bowery Ballroom on June 2nd with Mystery Jets and White Rabbits.
*Stereogum review.
Vampire Weekend-Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.mp3
Vampire Weekend-Oxford Comma.mp3

I have been enjoying White Rabbits as well. Their album comes out tomorrow on Say Hey Records/ Young Turks Records.

White Rabbits-While We Go Dancing.mp3
White Rabbits-Kid On My Shoulders.mp3

Vampires are so hot right now

The weekend that was filled with Vampires...how I have battled with you. I came across the band early on and instantly loved. Then I saw a live show on the East River at the bandshell and i loathed. They were really boring and stood completely still. There was no self-effacing stage banter or even an acknowledgement that there were fans there at all. I disliked the American Apparel clad crowd and the uber hip gang that danced like members of the Peanuts gathered in front of the stage. Then there was the list of people who liked them from my past---that snobby boy in high school who was cooler than cool---the girl who happens to live in NYC and work in my industry (and who was always terrific at being mean to everyone and everything) as well that I run into at shows who loves John Mayer...these people loved my Vampire Weekend as well.

As the months passed I still found myself, despite all of my energies still toe-tapping and dancing to their little songs. Then, I did what a lot of music fans do at some point in their lives, or many times in their lives---if they know what is good for them, i got over myself. I ignored everything that the band itself cannot control, all of these societal factors that was making me being a snot and I went back to enjoying them. Because I do. I love all of their songs. They don't have a bad one. Not for my ears at least. Yes, they are lacking a bit of luster in the live performance department but what they need time to learn they make up for with the strength and solidarity of their movement. They are a downright intelligent and tight bunch. Their songs are wrapped up with clever lyrics and snarky little loops and spins and tributes to Paul Simon loving sounds and explode with precision and affection. This video is for their new song "Cousins" off of their upcoming SOPHOMORE release Contra due out on the 12th of January via XL Records.


Vampire Weekend will play a few select US cities before heading over to Europe for a tour throughout the winter.

*Dec 10---KNRK “A December to Remember” Concert Series-Crystal Ballroom w/ White Rabbits---Portland, Oregon
*Dec 11---Live 105 "Not So Silent Night"-Oracle Arena w/ Metric, 30 Seconds to Mars, AFI & Muse---Oakland, CA
*Dec 12---FM949 “Holiday Hootenanny”-RIMAC Arena w/ White Rabbits, Manchester Orchestra, Phoenix, & Spoon---La Jolla, CA
*Dec 13---KROQ "Almost Acoustic Christmas"-Gibson Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)---Los Angeles, CA
*Dec 15---The End “Deck The Hall Ball ‘09”-WaMu Theatre w/ Metric, Phoenix, 30 Seconds To Mars & Muse---Seattle, Washington
*Jan 12---Special Intimate Album Release Show @ Henry Fonda Theater (SOLD OUT)---Los Angeles, CA
*Jan 17---United Palace Theater (SOLD OUT)---NYC
*Jan 18---Webster Hall (SOLD OUT)---NYC
*Jan 19---Bowery Ballroom (SOLD OUT)---NYC
Vampire Weekend Tags

When i first met you girl, you were ELECTRIC darlin'*

The last time i wrote about a band with the name Vampire in it they became so big that even the New York Times had to make a pretty little bar graph to chart their predicted success for 2008:

Not as clever as Pie Chart...
Now i am not saying that Vampire Hands are the new Vampire Weekend-but i have been enjoying their skills as of late. Springing forth from Minneapolis and currently touring and touting their new album, Me and You Cherry Red they are supporting Tapes n' Tapes on a few of their upcoming dates including their engagement at Filmore/Irving Pit on the 18th and in Williamsburg at the Music Hall on the 19th.
They sound muffled and confined, as though they recorded their LP in the garage of your next door neighbor which i find highly endearing. That and i am a sucker for anything with Vampire attached to the title. Definitely be sure to check them out!

*************VAMPIRE HANDS TOUR DATES****************
9-Carabar-Columbus, Ohio 10-The Davenport-Parma Heights, Ohio
11-Club Midway-New York, New York 12-ATM HOUSE-Philladelphia, Pennsylvania
13-The Spazzatorium Galleria-Greenville, North Carolina
14-The Oasis-New London, Connecticut 15-Glasslands Gallery (Williamsburg)-NYC
16-Velvet Lounge-Washington DC
18-Fillmore New York-Irving Plaza with Tapes n' Tapes and White Denim New York, New York
19-The Williamsburg Music Hall w/ Tapes n' Tapes and White Denim New York, New York
20-The Birdhouse-Knoxville,TN 21-Camp Concentration-St. Louis, MI
22-Replay Lounge-Lawrence, Kansas 23-The Hi-Dive-Denver,CO
25-The Echo Curio-Echo Park, CA 26-Dam Haus-Davis, CA
27-A House-Oakland, CA 28-The Mansion-San Francisco, CA
29-Lewis and Clark College-Portland, Oregon 30-A House-Portland, Oregon
May 1-Le Voyeur Olympia, Washington 2-The Vera Project-Seattle, Washington
3-The Badlander-Missoula, Montana 7-7th Street with Dead Meadow & First Communion After Party-Minneapolis, Minnesota
Vampire Hands-Statuette.mp3
Vampire Hands-Wolf Skin Pose.mp3
Vampire Weekend Tags

Maybe Vampire Weekend and Jracula could pull their funds together and buy Bran Castle located in Transylvania and most famously known for inspiring Bram Stoker to write Dracula in 1897. Interestingly enough it is on the market for a new owner...
Jracula-Carpopolis.mp3
Vampire Weekend-Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.mp3
Dracula Zombie Usa-Nice Fixtures.mp3
Vampire Weekend Tags

Welcome Music Hall of Williamsburg

Another reason to take a train to Brooklyn...as if you needed one. Seriously-Brooklyn is so lovely. That aside, who is excited for Vampire Weekend?! Oh yeah! ALL shows go on sale this Friday-the 13th at Noon except for the ones with stars.* Purchase tickets via the Music Hall of Williamsburg website or via Ticketmaster.
September 7-JOSEPH ARTHUR & THE LONELY ASTRONAUTS
September 8-VAMPIRE WEEKEND
September 10-CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH
September 14-THE WALKMEN
September 15-BONDE DO ROLE with PLASTIC LITTLE
September 19-THE BLACK LIPS with THE SELMANAIRES
*September 21-LES SAVY FAV - On sale 7/18 at 12:00 PM*
September 27-An evening with MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD
September 28-FUJIYA & MIYAGI with DIRTY ON PURPOSE
*September 29-JOSE GONZALEZ with MEG BAIRD - On sale 7/17 at 12:00 PM*
October 3-BORIS/DAMON & NAOMI with MICHIO KURIHARA
October 8-SUNSET RUBDOWN
*October 9-HIGH ON FIRE with MONO / PANTHERS/ COLISEUM - On sale 7/20 at 12:00 PM*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also on sale this friday-
YEAH YEAH YEAHS - AUG 7 - Webster Hall
FUJIYA & MIYAGI with DIRTY ON PURPOSE- SEP 27 - The Bowery Ballroom
TEGAN & SARA with NORTHERN STATE - NOV 19 - Webster Hall
Vampire Weekend-Walcott.mp3
Tegan and Sara-The Con.mp3
Black Lips-Not A Problem.mp3

Shows you should check out Saturday into Sunday

Reggie the Alligator says 'Have Good Weekend!'
Everyone's favorite buzz band, Vampire Weekend are playing a free show for East River Music Project. Water side of FDR, pedestrian walkways @ Houston, Delancey, and Cherry Streets. Show starts at 3:00, they should be hitting the stage around 4:45. Later on they will be out in Hoboken playing a sold out show at Maxwells along with Tokyo Police Club and Ra Ra Riot. Tomorrow night Maryland natives Le Loup and Washington Social Club are playing at the Canal Room, doors are at 7:30 PM, ticket still available. Sunday night Oh No! Oh My! are playing Studio B. Busy weekend for some pretty snazzy bands-if you ask me. ENJOY!
Le Loup-We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!.mp3
Oh No! Oh My!-Oh Be One.mp3
Vampire Weekend Tags
Le Loup Tags

It's all about the dragons...

Last summer it was all about the hands of vampires and well this summer, it is all about the luck of the dragon(s). Last summer i lounged on the steps of the East River Band Shell and watched the most ridiculous hipsters I have ever witnessed shake their non-existent hips to the beats of Vampire Weekend. It was like an American Apparel advertisement on crack. This season NYC concert promoters have adorned us with a feast of activities to keep even the biggest music snob fat and content with treats. One such event that I am most excited for is the East River Music Project performance by The Lucky Dragons on June 7th. Just this past weekend they played for a jovial crowd of art lovers at The Whitney.
LUCKY DRAGONS TOUR DATES
Jun 1-The Smell- Los Angeles, California
Jun 7-East River Music Project-NYC
Lucky Dragons-I Keep Waiting for Earthquakes.mp3
Lucky Dragons-Givers.mp3
Vampire Weekend Tags.

Live Vampire Weekend bits...

Check it out via the KEXP Blog.
Vampire Weekend Tags

Vampire Weekend- set to take a bite out of 2007 music scene?

Apparently so according to their stellar debut by the New York Times. "The band members all attended Columbia (online they claim to be specialists in “Upper West Side Soweto,” among other styles), and something about their preppie, polyrhythmic sound feels fresh and funny and, weirdly, inevitable. Instead of borrowing from early Talking Heads albums (the way Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and many other bands have done), they’re borrowing from Afro-pop, just as Talking Heads did on later albums. In retrospect it’s a brilliantly well-timed approach." Very excited to see them recieving such good press...looks like this local band is heading towards bigger and better things!
*Vampire Weekend
Walcott (Insane Mix)

Even though this is sort of old news

I completely missed it when the ever so clever New York Times decided to chart the 'upset' that was Vampire Weekend opening for The New Pornographers at Bowery Ballroom. Clever Times writers, very clever indeed.

New Pornographers Tags
Vampire Weekend Tags

Thank you Stereogum

Thom is super sustainable
By now most of you have probably already checked this out-but just in case you haven't Stereogum was kind enough to invite some of our favorite artists to cover various Radiohead songs as a tribute for the 10th anniversary of OK COMPUTER. John in the Morning on KEXP already debuted Vampire Weekend and their version of 'Exit Music (for a Film)' but my personal favorite is My Brightest Diamond's version of 'Lucky.' Check out the rest here.
Vampire Weekend-Exit Music (For a Film).mp3
My Brightest Diamond Lucky.mp3

Green with EnVy*

I started writing this post a week after the festivities and decided that even this show took place a bit ago it is definitely worthy of a reading...so please forgive timeline and put yourself back in March for a moment...

As a little girl and the youngest of two children i was raised to not ask for too much and always think of others. However human nature sometimes falls into play and you become slightly jealous of others as you grow up. Needless to say i am incredibly jealous of everyone i know who was able to make it to SXSW. Granted I am not a hot weather type of gal. I would have had to drink massive amounts of coffee and mountain dew to muster through seeing all of the shows i would have wanted to check out..and the most difficult of all tasks I would have had to try very hard NOT to be shy. Which i am. Most of the time. That being said I still would have loved to experience the musical haven that is Austin, particularly during SXSW. Last night Jaime and i trucked down to Bowery Ballroom to check out Emmy the Great and The Pigeon Detectives, equally excited for both of these UK exports. It is a ballsy move to name a band with your name and 'great' especially at the age of 24. If anyone can pull it off with grace and sophistication it is Emma Lee Moss and company.

Armed with incredible emotion and depth she sings with angst about relationships and love reaching far beyond her years of experience. Comfortable in front of a room half full with people shuffling closer and closer to hear her words she joked about how the creators of SXSW had a randy sense of humour, picking for her to perform on a bill with her ex-boyfriend out of 600 bands. While most of her songs are girlish confessions about ill-witted and fitted ex's they ring sweetly of youthful love instead of bitter resentment. Like Kate Nash, Lily Allen, Florence and the Machine and Adele, Emmy represents her country and herself with class and intelligence, so boys watch out! I will definitely be checking in with friends to see how she fares amongst the industry beasts.

This photo captures this bands' experience PERFECTLY-thank you: Emile Holba
Recently i received a comment about my overall music taste and how it is well...'pop'ish.' I immediately crinkled my nose in ultimate disgust and was stunned into silence. It is not that i consider myself a music expert, far from it! I am constantly learning about music, old and new and confess openly to not being able to carry a tune or a play an instrument, however i feel that i consider myself knowledgeable enough to recommend something to a friend or co-worker with enough vigour and strength that they will be compelled to enjoy it if not overwhelmingly convinced. Half way through the The Pigeon Detective's set it occurred to me that yes, my taste might indeed be 'popular.' Which might not be such a bad thing. Music trends as of late have taken a turn towards favoring indie and alternative music markets with Vampire Weekend not only taking over SNL but the whole of MTV. Radiohead cleaned up with it's latest release and has already been selling out tour dates left and right. Apple and Zune commercials cleverly arm themselves with songs by CSS, The Shins and The Fratellis in turn saturating radio stations with these otherwise 'little' bands. This past weekend Yeasayer and MGMT were praised with keeping the Brooklyn music scene alive causing sneering bloggers and local hipsters to laugh at The New York Times for their up-to-date reporting on our thriving music scene, something we have all been hip to for a while now, even if we try actively to avoid the hype. The Pigeon Detectives have yet to make a splash within the states. For the most part when i told my friends i was heading out to see their show they responded with a 'who' or a 'damn those indie bands and their names these days!' Yes...yes...it is another odd name but their music is rambunctious and loud, two things I LOVE from my british bands. Swinging, failing, tossing the microphone, stage diving into the audience, their lead singer Matt Bowman has obviously spent a lot of time in front of a mirror playing at being a rock star. Hello Matt, you are well on your way. Oliver Main, Ryan Wilson, Dave Best and drummer Jimmi Naylor back him up with perfection and style. The sold out audience was loving every sweat-soaked second Bowman delivered. So if pop music is just another term for what is popular then yes, i do indeed have popular taste---i am just residing on the incorrect continent to do so.
Emmy The Great-Two Steps Forward(live).mp3
Emmy The Great-MIA.mp3
Emmy The Great-Canopies and Grapes.mp3 (*my favorite*)
Emmy The Great-The Hypnotists Son.mp3 (last one-i LOVE this one as well)
Emmy the Great
Pigeon Detectives

Happy Release Day!!!!

I am beyond excited for two records that came out today. The first being the follow up to Ra Ra Riot's amazing debut release, The Rhumb Line.  The Orchard has been highly anticipated by many music lovers and I can very happily say that it is beautiful and I absolutely love it. Stream it over at SPINNER here. The band is playing a record release party tonight in Williamsburg at Brooklyn Bowl. Members of Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend will be teaming up to show off of their DJ skills. Maybe we can hope for a live Discovery set? Who knows! Definitely check out the band's myspace for a complete list of tour dates, some with my new loves, The Givers who were highlighted this week on Stereogum as a "Band To Watch." Special thanks to the ultra innovative and always fantastic Barsuk Records for supporting and releasing this delightful band.

The second record that I am really excited about is definitely going to be one of my favorite records of 2010.  (Yes, we are already in August and starting to think about end of the year lists...). Dead Confederate are a rusty/raw -- dangerous band out of Augusta, Georgia. Like any proper Southern band they wreck your eardrums with hot, dusty, bittersweet guitar rifts. With their new record, Sugar, the band departs from their rustic dark caves of sound and and take a route that reminds me of Silversun Pickups and old-school (aka: GOOD) Smashing Pumpkins. The overall effect is a lighter more experimental record that will appeal to people's old school grunge tendencies as well as the love for a good pop song with digestible lyrics. This band has always been good. This is no secret. With this record I hope they get the attention they so dearly deserve. Heading out on a North American tour they will be sharing the stage with one of my ABSOLUTE favorite bands of the year, Futurebirds. Do yourself a huge favor and check out this band. They are ridiculously talented, delightfully fun and disastrously addictive. Overall, going out to see these two bands in one night will prove to be more fun than you can handle without bringing friends along and perhaps taking home a vinyl or two.
You can also steam Sugar over at SPINNER or purchase it from iTunes (with an exclusive download tossed into the mix), I know it is unheard of to BUY records but you should and especially anything released on Old Flame, Dead Confederate's loving home.

Pre-sale for 'John in the Morning at Night' going on now!

Today is one of those days where i wish i lived in Seattle-or could easily go visit!
John in the Morning at Night PRESALE
Featuring: Maps, Vampire Weekend, Jamie T., Das Llamas & Joy Wants Eternity

Event Date: September 22nd, 2007
Venue: Crocodile Cafe
Presale Starts: NOW!
Presale Ends: Thursday, July 19th
On Sale to Public: Friday, July 20th
Password: JITMAN
KEXP

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Michael Jackson-Thriller Cover.mp3
Zombie Ghost Train-Graveyard Queen.mp3
Vampire Weekend-A-Punk.mp3
Band of Thieves-Woman.mp3
Arctic Monkeys-If You Were There, Beware.mp3
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead-Witches Web.mp3
A Place To Bury Strangers-To Fix The Gash In Your Head.mp3
Animal Collective-Fickle Cycle.mp3
Bat For Lashes-The Wizard.mp3
Birdmonster-No Midnight (live acoustic).mp3
Black Lips-Cold Hands.mp3
Aphex Twin-Logon Rock Witch.mp3
Born Ruffians-Knife (Cover).mp3
Cat Power-Werewolf.mp3
Cemetry Love Club-Cold Cold Heart.mp3
Chills-Pink Frost.mp3
Creature-Pop Culture.mp3
Wax Fang-New Violence.mp3

I wrote it down in a letter so you could read it...

Ohio's very own State Bird recently stopped by My Old Kentucky Blog and Daytrotter and recorded some beautiful live in studio sessions. Being a huge fan of the boldly talented Magnetic Fields it is easy to understand why State Bird caught my attention and delighted my ears. They are a bit more upbeat and sound like Vampire Weekend on some tracks such as I Don't Love You Anymore which is sure to be a hit with audiences as we head into the fall. Mostly Ghostly is the sophomore release from Coby Hartzler and Jared Riblet and since I am joining in the game late I definitely will be checking out Marching Thru The Wilderness as well. If you enjoy what you hear, you should do some homework too!
State Bird-The Bright July Night.mp3
State Bird-Uh Oh!.mp3

Arctic Monkeys announce mini-US Tour-Maps add Mercury Lounge Date

Cred
Including another stop in nYc...very exciting. Just off the announcement of their nomination for this year's Mercury Prize they will be returning to the states for a short while. Tickets for their show on September 5th with The Coral at Rumsey Playfield go on sale this Friday at Noon. As we have said before Arctic Monkeys put on quite a show, their albums are spectacularly solid and well...we are a bit crazy for them. Enjoy!
-Arctic Monkeys Tour Dates -
Sep 5 - Rumsey Playfield, NYC
Sep 8 - Virgin Festival, Toronto
Sep 9 - Osheaga Festival, Montreal
Sep 15 - Austin City Limits, Austin, TX
Sep 16 - The Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, TX
Sep 18 - House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
Sep 29 - WaMu Theater, SEattle, WA
Arctic Monkeys Tags

My recent love for Maps seems to have come at an apt time. I am very excited for the announcement of their added nYc date at the Mercury Lounge on September 28th. As previously posted, here are all their upcoming tour dates:

Maps-Tour Dates
Sat 09/22 - Seattle, WA KEXP Benefit – Crocodile Cafe w/ Jamie T and Vampire Weekend (Tickets *On Sale Friday-At Noon*)
Mon 09/24 - San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill
Wed 09/26 - Los Angeles, CA Spaceland (presented by KCRW)
Fri 09/28 - New York, NY Mercury Lounge
Sat 09/29 - Brooklyn, NY Luna Lounge (Tickets)
Maps Tags

Acts added to Siren Festival Lineup

Hopefully M.I.A. can sneak past our heft homeland security! I for one would love to see her! In the meantime head over to her super spastic and visually overwhelming M.I.A. website to keep yourself busy with her blog and new music videos. In addition to the already fantastic lineup Cursive and White Rabbits are jumping into the mix. If you missed the White Rabbits with Vampire Weekend during their Bowery Ballroom show you definitely need to catch them this time around.
M.I.A.-xr2 turbo.mp3
Cursive-So-So Gigolo.mp3
White Rabbits-The Plot.mp3

Yeasayer

I was a little bit late on the whole Yeasayer discovery. I recognized the name and knew that they had put out a killer track, 2080 which most of the blogs i highly respect had posted on various summer mixes or bands to look out for. However i never took the time to listen to them on my own until after going to see Vampire Weekend at Williamburg Music Hall for my Ajisignal piece. I was sad i had missed Yeasayer and luckily i will get to catch them when they perform at various venues throughout the city during CMJ. Many people have compared them to Peter Gabriel but for me they remind me of my Rusted Roots infatuation during my middle school days. Chris Keating's voice has a rusty, tactile edge to it that could match Michael Glabicki note for note on any of their individual bands' tracks. I very much enjoy how they dab into different styles of music...some songs have a techno backbeat with layers of swooning, jammy melodies. While others feature structered Carribbean or African base beat filled with percussion backing up pop'ish clever lyrics. Whatever it is you hear when you listen to them i hope you enjoy them. They are a unique flash of sound in New Yorks' music scene these days and i look forward to seeing them during their KEXP in studio session. If you cannot make it out to see one of their shows you should stop by Daytrotter who lovingly takes care of all our favorite new artists with incredible live tracks, interviews and some of my favorite artwork around. Thank you Daytrotter!
Yeasayer-Get in the Sunrise.mp3
Daytrotter Tags