People who first get into music, would define the genre of Indie rock through groups such as Block Party, Pulp, The Verve and The Libertines. However, if you look at the word ‘Indie’, meaning independent, most of these groups are famous on mainstream labels and radio stations. Vampire Weekend in my eyes, are a perfect example of what an Indie band should be and sound like. 

In today’s ever evolving technological world, up coming bands are getting their music out to the masses through blog sites, websites and applications such as Limewire. Vampire Weekend are no exception, starting their popularity on their websites on African pop and  modern music. The group became the band of choice on east side New York in 2007. What made the group so popular, was their new fusion music genre called “Upper West Side Soweto”. Vampire weekend have taken a new stance on music from NYC very different to that of groups such as The Strokes or The Velvet Underground. 

Their songs “Mansard Roof”, “Oxford Comma” and “A-Punk” are so unique, that they sound like an acid trip while reading or watching a Jane Austin book or Movie than listening to a record. These are evoked through the simple duet between violins, cellos and Guitars which gives them that eighteenth century feel. Lyrically, its easy to tell about their academic background. ‘Who gives a fuck about an oxford comma? I've seen those English dramas too, They're cruel’. 

But what excites me most about VW is there interest and use of African percussion and rhythm in their song “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” which evokes the styles of Paul Simon’s “Graceland”. The groups ability to do things so uniquely, has meant making huge risks musically by using such international sounds on songs like “Bryn”. This may be considered ‘sad’ by the harder blues scale rock groups. However, Vampire weekend have an attraction to fusion music and its romanticism, which would make such artists as Sting and John Lennon proud to hear. 

If trend setting applies to the latest shoes, shirts or sunglasses, Then Vampire Weekend will definitely cause ripples in the dark looming waters of the American and English Music Industries. So do take a look at this great debut, from a band which will be heard a lot about, this year. 

Songs to Download

A-Punk

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

M79

Mansard Roof

Bryn