Ezra Koenig on Vampire Weekend’s early days and growing up

Lead singer Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend has been called a generational voice in indie rock. From the band’s iconic first singles “A-Punk” and “Oxford Comma” to their acclaimed follow-up albums “Contra” and “Modern Vampires of the City,” their music defined the mid-‘00s for millions of people. Now, Vampire Weekend is back with their fifth album, “Only God Was Above Us.” Ezra joins Tom in the Q studio to talk about the new record, the early days of the band, and what it’s like having Quincy Jones for a father-in-law.
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[@evadney58]

Tom, you are the most incredible and generous interviewer. I love these videos.

[@sabrinarene6909]

Yay! More OGWAU interviews! Thank you!

[@lmn7749]

We just saw them in Philly and it was AMAZING !!! Smart guy and band is sooooo talented ❤ Thanks for giving Canada this great insightful interview Ezra .

[@bluemoongirl28]

Love it when Ezra gets interviewed.

[@richardkilroy3248]

Great interview by Tom Power and Ezra's music and replies to the interview questions are nuanced and intelligent. Great music.

[@sk95-21]

this dude is 40 years old, looks like he's fresh outta college. drop your skin care routine ezra!

[@sabrinarene6909]

Ezra rules.

[@dinner-at-the-diner]

ok nerd/newbie here, sorry. Who is this guy that he gets such amazing guests?

[@joshpitre9304]

Tom Power leads a segment called 'Q' - it is produced by CBC, which is publicly funded like NPR or BBC. The notoriety of the institution I am sure plays a part in the talent Tom is able to interview, although there is more merit in Tom himself! He is an incredible interviewer which many of his guests remark. I am sure any artist doing the 'press circuit' would be honoured to sit down with Tom when they are touring Canada.

[@dinner-at-the-diner]

@@joshpitre9304 thank you so much

[@patrickhart2390]

Cutting off Ice Cream Piano before it kicks in was painful

[@KissyCrissy]

You Know

[@applegal3058]

Since Rostam left the band, their music just lost something special... I'm excited to watch this interview

[@LessThanJayson]

Haven’t listened to a single album post-Rostam honestly.

[@applegal3058]

@@LessThanJayson I'll listen to everything, but if it's bad then I won't go download it on my iTunes account to have the album. The last album I purchased is the Modern Vampires of the City... Although I do like the songs on the next album... This Life and Harmony Hall are good songs...

[@HungerSymons]

@@LessThanJayson well you should listen to ogwau because it's excellent

[@amaliab6682]

I was an enormous fan for a decade but I genuinely don't feel anything when I listen to their newer stuff now, wish I did but I just don't? Always went out to see them in Toronto when they came up, didn't go this year. Ice Cream Piano is the only song that kind of sparked something for me, funny that it happened to be another song vaguely based on an old tweet of his. Took me a minute to realize. VW is definitely an Ezra-centric thing now but Rostam's solo stuff is boring to me tbh so idk why everyone keeps saying he was the magic touch. All his solo songs are pretty indistinguishable to me. Either way I defended the 4th album when a lot of people were viciously trashing it even though I didn't feel strongly about it either way but I think I'm just done. I can't really go back now. For all the talk about "positivity" Ezra seems kind of dead behind the eyes, he really doesn't have the same twinkle in his eye. The vibes are just off.

[@applegal3058]

@@amaliab6682 I found their older stuff to be more upbeat in tone....maybe that's the reason.