You either like Vampire Weekend or deplore them. Not just dislike them, but absolutely despise them. And, I can see how people can be turned off by what the band supposedly represents: money and privilege. The VW backlash is pretty complicated, but one thing is clear to me. VW has some very enjoyable pop songs, and you’re probably lying if you say that you don’t like “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” at all.
A year after VW’s debut album release show, I voluntarily trekked my way up to Morningside Heights for Columbia’s annual Bacchanal spring concert. Some of my favorite college memories (or lack thereof) are associated with the event, and my Avenue Q blues may have convinced me to take the 1 train up to 116th Street. Whatever the real reason may be, I found myself on Low Plaza on the first beautiful day of this spring. The steps of the library were already packed at 1:45 pm, over an hour before Vampire Weekend was scheduled to hit the stage. But before we knew it, the young alumns hit the stage, swigging water out of flask-like bottles.
VW opened with “White Sky,” and went on to play every song from their debut album. They’ve had a lot of time and practice to perfect the old tunes, and they’ve gotten really good at playing them. Their Paul Simon-inspired songs were most appropriate for dancing in the afternoon sun, and the band members surprisingly looked like they were having fun, even Rostam. All the guys seemed very gracious to play their alma mater again, and Ezra even gave a shout-out to Chromeo, who remixed “The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance.” While I think that VW is a fun outdoor listen, they seriously need some new songs. I’ve grown tired of listening to Ezra’s singing about a robot’s escape from Cape Cod to New Jersey and spilled kefir on keffiyehs. Ezra claimed that they’re currently working on a second album, but they weren’t ready to perform anything new. No pressure, Vampire Weekend. None at all.
In the past year or so, the VW hype has exploded to such ridiculous heights that it actually blows my mind. I couldn’t avoid them in magazines, on TV, or on the Internet, but the last place I expected to see or hear anything VW-related was during The Wrestler. But, there they were, staring me in the face. A poster for Vampire Weekend’s debut album was hanging in the living room of character Randy’s daughter. Yes, I was annoyed and sick of seeing them everywhere, but I can’t say that I hate their music. And for those of you who hate them without having heard any of their songs, you should probably try to form opinions of your own. While I have no qualms with people who objectively dislike VW’s music, it’s another thing to drink the communal haterade for the sake of riding the mainstream wave.
This leads me to two questions: Are we capable of liking music objectively? That is, can human beings evaluate bands purely based on the music and nothing else? SHOULD we judge music objectively? With the Vampire Weekend phenomenon, it seems like the answer to the former is that most of us do not blindly listen to music, especially when the band’s image is absolutely unavoidable. In the case of VW, I am simultaneously proud of VW’s success and embarrassed by their pretentiousness. They may represent a certain demographic at CU, but their world is one that my small-town Midwestern roots still do not understand, even after four years at that institution. Yet, I like their music. It's not life-changing, but it's more than listenable. Maybe I’m a VW fan because I started listening to them when they were on the cusp of MTV famedom. Whether or not I should judge them or anyone other band by their personalities and circumstances, I don’t know the answer to that one. But, let's try to focus on the music and not what they're wearing. And, yes, I do realize that I like a band that’s been on the Disney Channel.
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
April 21, 2009
Vampire Weekend - Columbia University 04.18.09
April 22, 2008
Grizzly Bear - Columbia University 04.21.08
I have to agree with The Bwog; Columbia obviously didn't do any research before the Bacchanal show. Most people had never heard of Grizzly Bear, even though the band name was written on the ticket. Of course, I was one of the very few people who went to the show mostly to see Grizzly Bear. If you're curious about the National, check out my friend R's coverage here.
Before this show, I'd never seen Grizzly Bear perform. I heard them play from afar when they were at Pitchfork Music Festival. so I had an idea that this would be a mellow set. And, I got what I expected. After recording a performance of "While You Wait for the Others" for Conan O'Brien, Grizzly Bear rushed over to CU for a short performance. The crowd seemed to enjoy the electric version of "Little Brother" and "Knife," which has been countlessly covered and/or remixed, including versions by Girl Talk, CSS, Atlas Sound and Beirut. I wish they would have performed the acappella version of "Knife" that they did for La blogotheque. Also, I would have loved if they had performed "Deep Blue Sea."
On the whole, Grizzly Bear seemed to be pretty bored. Can't blame them entirely, the crowd wasn't the best. At one point, I just started talking to Ed Droste, who was directly in front of me, in between songs. Either he appreciated the interaction or he thought I was crazy. I hope it was the former.
Setlist
Alligator
Lullabye
Little Brother
Service Bell
Knife
Colorado
Fix It
On a Neck, On a Spit
Mother & Child Reunion (Paul Simon Cover)
While You Wait for the Others
"While You Wait for the Others" on Conan
On a Neck, On a Spit - Grizzly Bear
While You Wait for the Others (Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic) - Grizzly Bear
Little Brother (Electric) - Grizzly Bear
November 29, 2007
Vampire Weekend
Picture was taken in Hamilton.
Vampire Weekend, you are my heroes. You graduated from Columbia, you're doing your thing, and you're getting somewhere. You toured with my favorite band, Tokyo Police Club, and with Ra Ra Riot. I don't even personally know any of you and I am so excited because I ACTUALLY LIKE LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC.
What amuses me the most is that Vampire Weekend's first live performance was at a battle of the bands event hosted by my engineering school's student council. Needless to say, the judges were not experts on music. It's laughable that Vampire Weekend finished 3rd out of 4 bands. Read the Columbia coverage here and coverage by the NY Sun here. I love the judge who commented," Generally, I don’t like hipsters, but you guys are OK." Oh, I am sad to be an engineer right now.
***UPDATE*** Vampire Weekend was featured in Vogue, and the article says that the band formed exactly four days before the battle of the bands event.
I'm definitely planning on going to this Vampire Weekend album release show since the other one is sold out. Both shows are in January at the Bowery Ballroom.
If I didn't have finals, I would go to Cambridge to see TPC, Ra Ra Riot, and Vampire Weekend play at the Friends of John charity show.
So, if you haven't already, give them a listen. The album will be officially released early next year. They say they are influenced by popular African music and classical Western music. "African preppy." Nice and mellow. They did a Daytrotter session not too long ago.
"Oxford Comma" makes me smile, because I am a huge nerd and love the Oxford comma. It bothers me when people don't use it. So, "who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?" I do, Vampire Weekend.
Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
Mansard Roof
