Forget the critics. The members of Vampire Weekend were more concerned with creating something that made them proud, says Chris Baio, the band’s bassist.
Even as a self-titled debut in 2008 and sophomore album in 2010 were met with praise, Baio says all the pressure for the next recording was internal.
So what happened when the quartet from Brooklyn released a third album? The recording, “Modern Vampires of the City,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard music chart upon its release in May. Buzz leading up to the album led the band to an early May appearance on “Saturday Night Live” - the third on the show - and set critics’ tails wagging again. Rolling Stone said the musicians “have gotten better at just about everything they do.” British publication NME called it “a pretty, moving and perfectly nourishing album.”
It’s also a highly cerebral album. The four members met while studying at Columbia University, and lead singer Ezra Koenig obtained an English degree there before deciding to pursue music full time. The album is full of nods to pop culture - including to indie rock forebears Modest Mouse - reggae samples and obscure lyrical references.
“We want it to sound fresh.
That’s a big word for the band,” says Baio by phone from a park bench in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y.
It also must sound fresh when performed live. Still a quartet while on the road, the band employs electronicsamples and technology to help reproduce the various noises that pop up in thestudio recordings. Vampire Weekend will bring that show to the Arkansas Music Pavilionin Fayetteville on Wednesday.
Actress, model and aspiring musician Sky Ferreira will serve as the opening act. Baio says it’s Vampire Weekend’s first performance in Arkansas.
The date in Arkansas comes at a busy time for the band. A short and sporadic break after a summer tour will yield to a massive fall tour, including the Fayetteville date. Also included in the run are stops in Mexico, Norway, Scotland, France and Australia.
The band has yet to start recording the next album, and Baio is hesitant to talk about what it might sound like.
“If you talk too much about a record before it’s released, it can influence the way people think about it,” he says.
It’s going to be hard to match the hype the band has built after three records. Not that the members of Vampire Weekend are concerned, however. They’ll make the album they want.
Whats Up, Pages 15 on 09/20/2013