Vampire Weekend are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2006 out of Columbia University, led by Ezra Koenig. The self-titled 2008 debut is all crisp, Afropop-inflected charm, and Modern Vampires of the City (2013) is the Grammy-winning masterpiece. Explore Vampire Weekend vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Vampire Weekend formed in New York City in 2006, with members meeting at Columbia University. The core lineup is Ezra Koenig (vocals, guitar, principal songwriter), Chris Baio (bass), and Chris Tomson (drums); Rostam Batmanglij was a central member and producer until departing as a full member in 2016 while continuing to collaborate. The band became one of the most acclaimed indie acts of its generation, recording for XL Recordings and later Columbia.
Vampire Weekend blend indie rock with Afropop, baroque pop, chamber pop, and a literate, preppy sensibility, marked by Koenig's distinctive vocals and clever, allusive lyrics. Their sound has grown from the crisp, upbeat debut to the dense, layered production of Modern Vampires of the City and the sprawling, eclectic Father of the Bride, demonstrating significant artistic evolution.
The band's albums have appeared in numerous colored-vinyl variants and special editions, with the self-titled debut and Modern Vampires of the City popular collector titles. Anniversary pressings and store exclusives circulate among fans.
Listeners new to Vampire Weekend often start with the self-titled debut (2008) or Modern Vampires of the City (2013). For related listening, see and .
