Ezra Koenig is the lead singer, guitarist and principle lyricist for the indie rock group Vampire Weekend. Ezra was born on April 8, 1984, in Manhattan, NYC. His family soon moved to the New Jersey suburbs, where Ezra spent a normal childhood. His parents were children of the 60s with “tons of records” he listened to, including Elvis Costello, Squeeze and the Specials. Shortly after starting piano lessons, around 10 or 11, he started writing songs. In the 7th grade, he teamed up with classmate Wes Miles (now of Ra Ra Riot) to perform at graduation. In high school, Ezra began playing guitar and saxophone.

After graduating high school, Ezra enrolled at Columbia University, near his birthplace on Manhattan’s upper west side. While a student, he partnered with a classmate in a rap duo called L’Homme Run, and played sax with the Dirty Projectors. Before graduating in 2006 with a degree in English Lit, he formed Vampire Weekend with classmates Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson and Chris Baio. Over the 18 months after Ezra graduated, the group rehearsed and recorded songs written by Ezra and Rostam, and played gigs around Columbia, primarily at frat houses. Ezra also taught junior high school during the 2006-07 school year. The recording was engineered and produced by Rostam in his small Brooklyn apartment. When they had enough songs for an album on CD, VW set off on a mini tour of the US. When they got back to NY, XL Records wanted to release the CD, with one more song added. That done, VW went to Europe to tour with The Shins. In early 2008, Vampire Weekend was released to immediate acclaim. The album rose to #17 on the Billboard 200 chart. The group’s second and third albums, Contra (2010) and Modern Vampires of the City (2013), accomplished what no other indie group has; both debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.

Chris Tomson – Ezra Koenig – Rostam Batmanglij – Chris Baio

VW became known for its rock/pop songs with catchy melodies and intelligent lyrics. Ska and African rhythms were prominent on the first two albums. The band cultivates a preppy look that is not only in keeping with their background, but perhaps more important, provides an interesting contrast between their image and their music’s deeper and more subversive themes. The clash between upbeat, poppy sound and the darker lyrics is in keeping with this. VW has evolved over its 3-album life. The world beat rhythms are less prominent in Modern Vampires of the City, which won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album

VW has performed to enthusiastic crowds at Reading and Leeds, Isle of Wight, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits Music Festival, All Points West and Groovin’ the Moo in Australia. They also performed on MTV’s Unplugged series.

In January, 2016, Rastom Batanglij announced his departure as a full time member of VW. He is still collaborating with the group and plays a major role in their forthcoming album.

Happy Birthday to Ezra Koenig!