Momus To Vampire Weekend: Bugger Off
In a blog entry called "Fan Mail To The Future," the outspoken eye-patched Scottish songwriter talks thoughtfully about VW sending him a fan letter, tracing their request for his address (to send him a copy of the new record) through other folks (Pulp, Belle & Sebastian, of Montreal) who've written him on their way up, culminating with insightful notions of mass market music, noting that until VW find the right producer to give them "enough experimental edge" they'll "have to join the crowd of hyped, connected and connecting artists -- the Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, the Arctic Monkeys -- I wish no ill upon but filter out in favour of commercial non-starters -- the struggling, doomed, risky artists I love and nobody else seems to." Curious what Arcade Fire/VW-loving, industry-astute David Byrne would make of this. Care to blog it, D? (via)
» Link
Posted at 10:22 AM
Comments (31) latest by sean
i like vampire weekend
Posted by: old greg at February 15, 2008 10:45 AM | Replybut
they are overhyped, period.
Score = 0
Exactly greg. I like them too. Cool/fun songs. But holy crap, way too much hype.
Posted by: Sean Jean at February 15, 2008 10:51 AM | ReplyScore = 1
why is this posted here?
Is this news? Or is it just the behing of SG's
slow and akward backstepping?
Wrap it up.
Posted by: ugh at February 15, 2008 11:09 AM | ReplyScore = -1
I've never understood the concept of "hype" within the indie music community. Have you seen commercials for VW, or did they have a full page ad in the USA Today? To me, hype would require a stronger media presence. If it's just bloggers saying they like it, isn't that just praise rather than hype? And if you read too many bloggers saying its good, isn't that kinda your fault? I suppose you might be referring to hype from professional critics, but the average review seems to be in the B+ / B range, which most of us agree they deserve.
Posted by: fearlessweaver at February 15, 2008 11:32 AM | ReplyScore = 1
Vampire Weekend are one of the best bands out there. Momus is obviously jealous as he hasn't achieved any notable success his career
Posted by: Andy at February 15, 2008 11:36 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Plus, is it me or does Vampire Weekend sound a hell of a lot like Islands?
Posted by: Medium Happiness at February 15, 2008 11:43 AM | ReplyScore = -1
The only "hype" I've heard is holier-than-thou hipsters bitching about how VW have received too much hype.
VW is a great album, period.
Posted by: mattshu at February 15, 2008 12:01 PM | ReplyScore = 1
VW sound a hell of a lot like Paul Simon.
Posted by: elk at February 15, 2008 12:26 PM | ReplyScore = 1
Stupid Non-Story, VW made a wonderful album that gets more appealilng after multiple listens, and the blog nerds get jealous because they haven't received that big promotion at their IT job & every girl they like considers them a "really good friend"
Posted by: Keith Thomas at February 15, 2008 1:04 PM | ReplyScore = 0
VW blows but it seems Momus is a wee bit jealous. And not "I-can-still-be-funny-about-it" jealous like Tom McRae.
I'd better go blog about the time I was supposed to open for The Whigs, but decided I'd rather sit at home with a bottle of scotch instead.
Posted by: Tommy at February 15, 2008 1:27 PM | ReplyScore = 0
This eye patch guy is a bitch.
Posted by: Evan at February 15, 2008 1:39 PM | ReplyScore = 1
I have no idea who this guy is.
Posted by: DG at February 15, 2008 1:41 PM | ReplyScore = 0
y o get educated.
turn off vampire weekend on yr ipod and get hip to momus.
Posted by: deeznutz at February 15, 2008 2:06 PM | Replyhahahaha
Score = -1
I don't believe this telling fact has been pointed out in the blogosphere: These preppy popsters have tapped into the folk music of South Africa much the same way Paul Simon did on his tribute to Elvis Aaron Presley; the immaculate Graceland.
Bravo to VW (not Volkswagen) for being so bold and thumbs down to Mobius for his deficient insight and taste.
Posted by: #1 Blogger at February 15, 2008 2:32 PM | ReplyScore = 1
Am I the only one who had to read this post more than once to understand what the fuck it meant? Come on, the first period doesn't come until second to last line.
Posted by: Dave at February 15, 2008 2:45 PM | ReplyScore = 0
The title of this post is misleading. It sounds like Momus is just adding VW to a list of great bands he hasn't understood until it was too late. Very far from "bugger off" imho.
Posted by: d at February 15, 2008 3:46 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Momus seems to be yet another cranky, hipper-than-thou indie guy, close-mindedly isolating himself into only listening to bands that aren't popular.
Posted by: haha at February 15, 2008 6:26 PM | ReplyScore = 1
@ mediumhappines Vampire Weekend sounds verrry similar to Islands ... put on Return To The Sea back to back with the EP ..
Posted by: Howaerd at February 15, 2008 8:23 PM | ReplyScore = -1
I'm not sure what all the vitriol is about here. I didn't take away from Momus's comments that he was particularly negative about VW at all (not that he'd add them to the ranks of Pulp, Of Montreal, or B&S just yet either), just that they weren't as 'progressive' a group as he wants to work with - which would totally be in keeping with his career (he's very arty, take that how you will).
As for Momus himself, well, he's been around forever (over 20 years since his first album) and done a lot of noteworthy work. Much of it has been more interesting than good (particularly in recent years - I haven't really liked almost anything of his since his famous for 15 seconds Stars Forever project, though Folktronic had its moments), but that still leaves room for a bunch of good songs (his version of Good Morning World is tremendous) and neat ideas.
Posted by: Hardly epicurriean at February 15, 2008 10:20 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Momus would rather work with an experimental artist such as CLIPSE rather than generic vampire weekend.
Posted by: les at February 16, 2008 6:15 AM | ReplyScore = 0
let's settle the debate about whether he was being nice. from momus' lj:
"I'm not going to roll over for the pups!
What this entry is, really, is me saying "Hey guys, if you want a slightly edgy producer for your second album, I'll be the Eno to your Talking Heads!"
Except, screw that, I don't really want to be a record producer"
and later:
"Since I published this piece, the band have been back in touch. They said their hearts sank a little reading it, but it also inspired them to take their music to the next level. They're smart enough to know that if the language of pop music isn't constantly renewing itself, it's dying. And they know that people who dare to criticize constructively are people who dare to care. "Nihilistic affirmation" -- gladhanding and backslapping just to get ahead -- would take us, and the medium we work in, nowhere."
Posted by: the first adrienne at February 18, 2008 10:47 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Register to win a Vampire Weekend Prize Package
www.winvw.blogspot.com
code:radio
Posted by: Dave at February 18, 2008 11:47 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Clearly this guy is an asshole. Even if he actually meant to come across as providing some "constructive" criticism, he had absolutely no reason to make his dislike for the band so public after announcing how much they respect him. And how could he sit there and write about being inspired to write to a band when he had just belittled Vampire Weekend's enthusiam to write to him? If he actually had a heart, he would recognize that if somebody takes any time whatsoever to let you know how much you have inspired them you don't act like a arrogant wanker and condescend them. And don't give me some bullshit about how maybe he'll come around to the band in the future. He apparently has nothing better to do with his time than to sit and name drop incredible bands that he was too proud to work with as if it makes him some mis-understood artistic genius. No wonder nobody actually cares about his music anymore.
Posted by: Mary at February 19, 2008 12:09 AM | ReplyScore = 1
All of you Vampire Weekend haters loved them in the beginning...just admit it. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of their sound, but the "hype" is not their fault. If you don't think they are talented, or you hate their music, then just grow a pair and say that. I'm sick and tired of all the "once a band gets some recognition and attention I hate them" hipster bastards. So since Radiohead has gained more and more fans over the years now they aren't talented? That's shit. Not that I'm comparing VW to Radiohead, because trust me...I'm not. I'm just trying to make a point. And stereogum...stop promoting the VW backlash when you are one of the BIGGEST contributors to the hype in the first place.
Posted by: yourmom at February 19, 2008 8:09 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Momus? I sure hope Limahl of Kajagoogoo doesn't pan Vampire Weekend.
Posted by: Scott at February 20, 2008 12:06 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Props to Vampire Weekend. They played an amazing show at the Andy Warhol Museum last week (a venue that seats under 110 people). So did they do it for the hype? the money? the media? no no and no...some musicians can retain integrity and class as they rise to stardom :)
they even agreed to take jump in the photobooth with me :)
Posted by: nicole at February 20, 2008 11:34 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Ok, so this guy is really an asshole.
Vampire Weekend is a pretty cool band, and their self titled is a fun listen that's easy to listen to a lot. That being said it's really a shame that they got all of this huge hype and praise.
And don't say it isn't hype. Pitchfork knows exactly what they're doing when they plop on a huge score and a best new music.
Posted by: Greyscale at February 20, 2008 5:44 PM | ReplyScore = 1
Okay, so this VW band is really dull, uninspiring and thus far is not deserving of the hype.
Nick's assessment of VW is spot-on, but I think it's great that VW was able to take it as constructive criticism.
Yes, Pitchfork knows exactly what they are doing when they plop a huge score on their friend's band.
Posted by: MF McNutt at February 21, 2008 1:56 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Who is this guy?
Anyways, how can you say a band is overhyped? 99% of people who are saying that wouldn't have heard of them if it wasn't for the press - is that hype?
Posted by: Julian at February 22, 2008 1:08 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Who is this guy?
Anyways, how can you say a band is overhyped? 99% of people who are saying that wouldn't have heard of them if it wasn't for the press - is that hype?
Posted by: Julian at February 22, 2008 1:09 AM | ReplyScore = 0
not overhyped in the uk.
Posted by: sean at August 10, 2008 12:30 PM | ReplyScore = 0