Ezra Koenig Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Vampire Weekend’s ‘Modern Vampires Of The City’ album, a decade after it was first released.The frontman took to social media yesterday (May 14) to discuss the impact of the album, and provide fans with an insight into the writing and recording process the band went through at the time.Released back in 2013, the album was the third full-length LP to be released by the band, and featured fan favourites including ‘Unbelievers’, ‘Step’ and ‘Diane Young’. Now, a decade after its launch, Koenig has listed the reasons why he thinks the album “still means something to people”.“MVOTC is ten years old.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Vampire Weekend’s matinee concert Monday in Austin was the ultimate ADHD-friendly show. Did you want to watch the band, in its first show back after a year-and-a-half break from touring, and a much longer absence in the States? That was an event unto itself, and a good enough reason for an easy sellout of the 5,000-capacity Moody Amphitheater.

Vampire Weekend have played a special gig to mark the recent total solar eclipse – see what surprises the band had in store below.Last night, the New York band took to the stage at the scenic Moody Amphitheater in Austin, Texas at approximately 6pm BST and played through the solar eclipse, treating those in attendance to a handful of surprises from debuting new songs live and special guests joining them for covers.Kicking off with Bonnie Tyler’s ‘Total Eclipse of The Heart’ playing on the speakers as the band took to the stage, they opened the show with the live debut of ‘Ice Cream Piano’, off their newly released album ‘Only God Was Above Us’.Other songs from ‘Only God Was Above Us’ that got their live debuts during Vampire Weekend’s special eclipse gig include ‘Connect’, ‘Gen-X Cops’, and album closer ‘Hope’. ‘Hope’ was performed after the band took a break to watch the eclipse with those in attendance.Absolutely unbelievable moment.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music A major problem with early success is getting past it — case in point, the cheerful bop of Vampire Weekend’s first two albums and their image as peppy college boys who’d studied Paul Simon’s “Graceland” like a James Joyce masters’ thesis, playing their jaunty global pop to deliriously skanking millennials at seemingly every music festival of the latter aughts. And although that take was understandable — if unfairly reductive — at the time, VW is now a very different band.

It’s April already - wherever did the time go? However, following the clocks changing last weekend, we’re starting to see the days get longer and brighter, filling us with greater hope and enthusiasm for the next few months ahead.

Vampire Weekend have teased a new offshoot project with an “imaginary backstory”.In a New York Times profile, the band revealed they had created an offshoot project with the remaining founding members Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, and Chris Tomson. The project began during the summer of 2020, where the band would do weekly jams and recorded “hundreds of hours of music”.“The world had stopped working and a lot of what we normally do was just not being done,” Tomson said.

Vampire Weekend have shared their latest single ‘Classical’, the third offering from their upcoming album ‘Only God Was Above Us‘.Written by frontman Ezra Koenig, produced by Ariel Rechtshaid (Haim, Sky Ferreira) and Koenig and featuring an orchestral arrangement by Will Canzoneri, Koenig and Rechtshaid, the track highlights a whimsical beat against lyrics such as: “I know that walls fall, shacks shake / Bridges burn and bodies break / It’s clear something’s gonna change,” asking the question “And when it does, which classical remains?”Directed by Vampire Weekend’s longtime creative director Nick Harwood, the track’s accompanying music video sees the band alongside Rechtshaid, Ray Suen and their drum tech Josh Goldsmith on the guitar playing the song against a green screen with fresco paintings, churches and clocks behind them.‘Classical’ follows the two previously released singles ‘Capricorn’ and ‘Gen-X Cops’. All three tracks will be featured on the band’s fifth LP ‘Only God Was Above Us‘, which is set for release on April 5 via Columbia.

Vampire Weekend have launched a new podcast called ‘Vampire Campfire’ today (March 7) – check it out below.The podcast, hosted by the band’s Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio and Chris Tomson,‌ comes ahead of the band releasing their fifth studio album, ‘Only God Was Above Us’, which arrives on April 5 via Columbia. You can pre-order/pre-save it here.A statement about the new podcast series says it will be “released semi-regularly for the foreseeable future” and fans who watch will be “invited behind the scenes into a longstanding and formerly private Vampire Weekend ritual: the frequent campfire chats where Baio, CT and Koenig convene to discuss and brainstorm all things Vampire Weekend – and so much more.”Fans have also been told that there will be Vampire Weekend ‘Easter Eggs’ on the podcast and they will be given “advance insights” into the band’s new album.The statement added: “[Fans] will be invited to witness…the band members reminisce about the past and discuss important matters in the present, ranging from tour openers, set lists and the potential of a future album called ‘The 40-Year-Old Email’, to such controversial topics as the dominant type of taco shell and The Real World vs Road Rules.“Future episodes will see the band delve deeper into the new album and will feature some very special guests.”‌Check out the first podcast episode here:Following on from 2019’s ‘Father Of The Bride’, Vampire Weekend’s first full-length album project in five years was recorded all over the world, from Manhattan to Los Angeles to London and Tokyo.

Vampire Weekend just announced they’re heading out their 43-concert ‘Only God Was Above Us Tour’ this spring, summer and fall with special guests Mark Ronson, Princess featuring Maya Rudolph, Ra Ra Riot, Turnstiles, The English Beat and more to celebrate the band’s upcoming fifth studio album, due out April 5.Toward the end of the nationwide run, Ezra Koenig and co. are slated to bring their impeccable indie rock to New York City for two back-to-back gigs at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Oct.

Harry Styles has spent his Sunday afternoon in the stands at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road watching them take on Manchester United alongside Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig.The two singers appear to have been in attendance at the invitation of Rob Stringer, who is the chairman of Sony Music Group and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, as well as being one of the directors of Luton Town FC.Both Styles and Vampire Weekend are signed to Columbia Records, which in turn is owned by Sonic Music Entertainment.Sky sports fixated on Harry Styles but failing to notice Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend AT KENILWORTH ROAD!!! pic.twitter.com/QCekBCD6cN— James Allen (@JamesAllen27) February 18, 2024Good to see you, @Harry_Styles!

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Vampire Weekend has announced a 2024 tour in support of their forthcoming album “Only God Above Us,” in addition to releasing the album’s first two singles “Capricorn” and “Gen-X Cops.” After the album’s arrival on April 5, the North American jaunt will kick off on Apr. 8 in Austin, TX, and make stops in more than 35 cities such as Los Angeles, Berkeley, Seattle, Cincinnati, Toronto, Boston, New York and Atlanta.

Vampire Weekend‘s new album is inspired by raga and “close to being done” according to drummer Chris Tomson.The band last released an album with 2019’s ‘Father of the Bride’ and recently announced a new vinyl-only live album series.In a newsletter revealing the news, Thomson shared what frontman Ezra Koenig has been up to since the band’s ‘Father Of The Bride’ tour finished, and what it could mean for the new material.“Ezra [Koenig] took a raga singing lesson with Terry Riley in rural Japan and wrote what he considers to be 7 of his all-time top 10 best songs,” he added.Discussing how the band were then able “to connect, jawbone, and jam” together, Thomson said: “I personally found an immense peace and pleasure from creating with the guys like we had in the Ruggles days. The vibe was strong.”He added that the album is “close to done,” with Thomson promising updates before the end of the year and saying: “I feel like it just might be our best yet.

Vampire Weekend have announced a series of limited vinyl-only live albums with the release already selling out its 2,500 copies.The first release of the series titled ‘Frog On The Bass Drum Vol. 01 Live In Indianapolis’ was made up of recordings from the band’s June 2019 show in Indianapolis, Minnesota. It was limited to 2,500 copies and included their 10-minute cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Jokerman’.

Gogglebox star Ellie Warner has welcomed her first child with boyfriend Nat Eddlestone and their son's name has a very sweet meaning behind it. On Friday night's episode of Gogglebox fans were delighted when Ellie, 32 introduced her newborn on the Channel 4 show, holding her son in the opening moments of the episode. Just a few minutes before the show aired, the new mum had revealed her son's name for the first time on Instagram.

Phoenix have shared a new version of their track ‘After Midnight’, featuring Clairo.The original song appears on the French band’s seventh studio album ‘Alpha Zulu’, which came out last November.The band teased the new version earlier this week, taking to social media on March 13 to share a brief clip of a revamped take on the tune. The file name in the video reads ‘After Midnight ft.??.wav’, confirming that a collaboration was incoming.The special guest has now been confirmed as Clairo, which marks the second time the band have had a guest feature, following last year’s ‘Tonight’ with Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig.“We’ve loved Claire since day 1,” Phoenix said in a statement.

Phoenix have released an updated version of their song "After Midnight" featuring Clairo. The original recording of the track appeared on the French band's 2022 album Alpha Zulu.

Phoenix have discussed the “synchronicity” they feel with Vampire Weekend, whose frontman Ezra Koenig features on their new single ‘Tonight’.Speaking to NME for last week’s Big Read cover story, the band discussed the making of their upcoming new album ‘Alpha Zulu’, which was recorded at Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs in the Palais du Louvre.They also spoke of their kinship with Vampire Weekend, and how the collaboration with Koenig came about. On ‘Tonight’ being a duet, guitarist Laurent Brancowitz said that he was initially hesitant of the format.“I was saying ‘show me one classic song that’s a duet’”, he told NME.

Phoenix have paid tribute to Philippe Zdar, the late composer and producer who worked with the band throughout their career.Zdar died in 2019 after he suffered an accidental fall from a rooftop in Paris. He was 52 years old.Speaking to NME for this week’s Big Read cover story, the band reflected on their creative relationship with Zdar, paying tribute to the music industry legend and French house pioneer.“He was joy and chaos; a whirlwind,” frontman Thomas Mars said.

Phoenix make an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, teaming up with Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig to perform their new single ‘Tonight’.The five-piece French band performed live on Colbert’s New York soundstage, while Koenig’s part comes via synchronised video. It’s appears that his “performance” is the same footage used in the song’s official music video, with Koenig riding in the passenger’s seat of a taxi driving through Tokyo.Have a look at the performance below:‘Tonight’ was released as a single last Wednesday (September 7), marking the first time Phoenix had welcomed in a guest vocalist, and our third preview of the band’s upcoming ‘Alpha Zulu’ album.

Noah Eckstein “America’s Dead,” a new 10-episode podcast about the enduring legacy of the Grateful Dead and the band’s profound effect on American consciousness, was released today.  The limited series, produced by Sonos Radio, is hosted by Grammy-winning filmmaker and producer Emmett Malloy and takes listeners on an improvisational journey through a diverse range of conversations, with the intent of understanding why the Dead is more popular and resonant now than ever.  This podcast takes any preconceived notion that the Dead is just some hippie band and completely shatters it. The remnants are picked up carefully by Malloy, who acts as a spiritual guide through varied conversations that illuminate the intricacies of the Dead’s fanbase. 

RELEASESDolly Parton has recorded a new version of her 1980 single ‘9 to 5’ with Kelly Clarkson. Just in case you ever wanted to know what Dolly Parton would sound like autotuned.Roddy Ricch has released new single ‘Ghetto Superstar’, featuring G Herbo and Doe Boy.Tom Odell will release new album ‘Best Day Of My Life’ on 28 Oct. “One year ago, almost exactly to the day, I set myself the challenge to write and record an entire album using only my voice and my piano with absolutely nothing else”, he says.

Phoenix have announced details of their new album ‘Alpha Zulu’ and shared a new track, ‘Tonight’, which features Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig.The French band made recently made their return with the album’s title track, which marked their first piece of new music since 2021 single ‘Identical’.‘Alpha Zulu’ arrives on November 4 via Loyaute/Glassnote Records and was produced by the band. The album was recorded in Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which sits in the Palais du Louvre.‘Tonight’ provides a new first for Phoenix, with Koenig’s appearance on the track marking the first time that a guest vocalist has featured on one of the band’s songs. “Could you come tonight? / I’ve got a feeling that you know the number,” Koenig sings, before swapping lines with Thomas Mars.The video was filmed in Tokyo and Paris, capturing Koenig and the band on opposite sides of the world in a split screen.

Charlie Burg is a product of his micro-generation. On his debut LP Infinitely Tall, out today via FADER Label, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter’s crystalline countertenor adopts the inflections of Ezra Koenig, Adam Levine, and several other and soft rock singers who hit their strides in the mid and late aughts.

Steve Lacy has shared his first new music since 2019 along with details of a new solo album.New album ‘Gemini Rights’ is set to come out this summer, with a firm release date still to be confirmed.The follow-up to The Internet guitarist’s debut solo album ‘Apollo XXI’ is being previewed today with the release of its first single, ‘Mercury’.Watch the video for ‘Mercury’, which sees Lacy dance around a warehouse in sunglasses and suit, below:At the tail end of 2020, Lacy officially released a number of his Soundcloud tracks and demos.The record, called ‘The Lo-Fis’, compiles a host of unofficial early releases from the solo artist, and came 18 months after the release of his debut album.In a four-star review of the debut record, NME wrote: “Although Steve Lacy is already fairly established through his collaborations, it’s exciting, on this album, to see his own personality shine through, as well as his ambition and inspirations (he’s cited Mac DeMarco as a production influence before), as he experiments, fills out his own catalogue and sound, and speaks for himself.”Since the release of that album, Lacy has collaborated with Calvin Harris on a track called ‘Live Without Your Love’ under the DJ’s Love Regenerator moniker. He also appeared on Vampire Weekend’s 2019 album ‘Father Of The Bride’, duetting with Ezra Koenig on collaborative track ‘Sunflower’.Lacy’s Internet bandmate Syd released her new album, ‘Broken Hearts Club’, in April.

Bruce Hornsby has enlisted the help of Danielle Haim on a new track – check out the video for ‘Days Ahead’ below.The video was directed and filmed by Hornsby himself during the pandemic. It sees three dimensional printed characters who can be seen variously re-arranging furniture in a  dolls-house, attempting to learn a new language and thinking about what to do next in their lives.It’s taken from Hornsby’s new album, ”Flicted’, which was released yesterday (May 27).

Liam Gallagher has hit out at Damon Albarn‘s recent comments about Taylor Swift and declared her to be “fucking cool”.The Blur and Gorillaz frontman was on the receiving end of a backlash last month when he said that Swift’s “co-writing” approach was at odds with his “traditionalist” view of songwriting.This led to Swift hitting back with the tweet: “@DamonAlbarn I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL my own songs.

Liam Gallagher has confirmed that Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig will feature on his upcoming new solo album ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’ on a track called ‘Moscow Rules’.The follow-up to Gallagher’s 2019 LP ‘Why Me? Why Not.’ is set for release on May 27, and was previewed recently by the single ‘Everything’s Electric’.‘Everything’s Electric’ was co-written by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, and Gallagher has now confirmed that Koenig is another big-name contributor to the record.Speaking to Jasper Leijdens on the KINK IN TOUCH WITH podcast this week, Gallagher revealed that the Vampire Weekend frontman features on a track called ‘Moscow Rules’.“Ezra plays some mad instruments on a song called ‘Moscow Rules’,” Gallagher said. “We wrote that one together with Andrew [Wyatt].”The official tracklist for ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’ has yet to be announced, but you can pre-order the record here.Gallagher performed his latest single ‘Everything’s Electric’ live for the first time earlier this week at this year’s BRIT Awards.The former Oasis frontman is set to tour this year in support of ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’, including two sold-out gigs at Knebworth.

Rosalía has shared the official artwork for her forthcoming third album ‘Motomami’, while announcing that a new track is coming this week.Following on from 2018’s ‘El Mal Querer’, the Spanish singer-songwriter’s next full-length record will feature the previous single ‘La Fama’ (featuring The Weeknd). A release date is not yet known.Taking to social media yesterday (January 31), Rosalía posted the cover art for ‘Motomami’ on which she poses nude against a blank white backdrop while wearing a motorcycle helmet.

Long-time online radio show Chillin Island — created by Alec “Despot” Reinstein, Aleksey “Lakutis” Weintraub, and ex-Das Racist hypeman Ashok “Dap” Kondabolu — is coming to HBO. The pilot episode of the unscripted nature series will air next Friday, December 17.