Vampire Weekend
MUSICIANS CHRIS BAIO, EZRA KOENIG, AND CHRIS TOMSON
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SURPRISED YOURSELF IN YOUR WORK?
Ezra Koenig: As we get ready for our next tour, I’m forced to revisit our old songs. I have to reacquaint myself with the lyrics and I can barely remember what I was going for when they were written. New meanings are revealed to me and I think I finally understand what the songs are about, particularly our third album.
NAME AN INFLUENCE OF YOUR THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE.
Chris Baio: Like many people during lockdown, I picked up golf. I’d like to say, at the outset, that I am a miserable golfer. However, last year I read a beautiful book called Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent. The book helps golfers gain control of their mental and emotional states, and I’ve found that the lessons I’ve learned from this book have carried over into my everyday life. It’s helped me be a better musician and performer. I highly recommend it even if you don’t swing clubs!
““As we get ready for our next tour, I’m forced to revisit our old songs. New meanings are revealed to me and I think I finally understand what the songs are about.” —Ezra Koenig”
WHAT IS YOUR CALLING CARD?
Chris Tomson: You know, I wish I had a more profound answer here, but I believe my trademark is having a beefy, borderline-unkempt beard. I have not been publicly clean-shaven in five years and there are currently no plans to break that streak. I am a fan of both the aesthetics and ease of upkeep, and, with the occasional exception of eating a particularly messy burger, couldn’t be happier with my whole facial hair setup. I am a beard guy and not mad about it!
in your life?
