You are surely aware by now that Vampire Weekend are preparing to unsheathe Contra on the world January 12, 2010. If for whatever reason, you’ve had the pleasure of exploring and drinking in this fine indie rock web site on the regular, you’ll also be familiar with the equally rich taste of new mpfree “Horchata.” Those four guys have been taking care of business over the past few weeks both in Europe and on the West Coast, playing new material of which the folks over at Pitchfork have collected video footage. In addition to borrowing that from zee Fork, we’re also sharing the new VW UK tour dates they lifted from NME. The Internet is so weird!

Dates below

11.05 Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy and Harriet’s
11.07 Lafayette, CA @ Town Hall Theatre
11.08 Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst
11.09 Visalia, CA @ The Cellar Door
11.10 San Luis Obispo, CA @ Downtown Brew
11.12 Bakersfield, CA @ Chencho’s
11.14 Lomita, CA @ VFW Hall
11.17 Tokyo, Japan @ Tokyo Unit
11.21 Sydney, Australia @ Oxford Art Factory
02.07 Cambridge, England @ Cambridge Corn Exchange
02.08 Manchester, England @ Manchester Apollo
02.09 Leeds, England @ O2 Academy
02.10 Birmingham, England @ O2 Academy
02.12 Newcastle, England @ O2 Academy
02.13 Glasgow, Scotland @ Barrowlands
02.14 Edinburgh, Scotland @ Picture House
02.16 London, England @ O2 Academy Brixton

“Run”

“Holiday”

This could absolutely revolutionize the entire Williamsburg busking scene. Forever. Q TV now has a feature entitled “How To” With Q that features indie-bands and acts showing you how to play their songs on guitar. Thus far, the show has featured the likes of Vampire Weekend (”A Punk”), The National (”Fake Empire,” “Slow Show”), Tegan & Sara (”Walking With A Ghost”) and Sondre Lerche’s bizarrely quirky 13-minute description of  “To Be Surprised”. The old dude near Union Square that covers “Landslide” every night is never going to know what hit him. Check out the  “A Punk” video above, the video for “Fake Empire” and “Slow Show” below. Also: practice your scales, man.
(Via: Stereogum)

Above is a streaming player for “Horchata,” the opening track and leadoff mpfree from Vampire Weekend’s forthcoming sophomore full-length Contra. If you hate fancy widgets as much as our parents, below is a more simpler version just for you. We had the pleasure of hearing said album two weeks ago and it set our hair on fire. Not too many people can say that about a Vampire Weekend album! While there are still elements of African musics peppered throughout in both guitar and rhythmic form, the onetime purveyors of “Upper West Side Soweto” have taken a very thoughtful step outside of the sometimes safe (haters say too safe/manicured) confines of their pop bubble. It’s expansive and it’s thrilling and warm and we’re probably as excited for everyone to hear it as those dudes are. Start here.

Vampire Weekend, Horchata

MP3 Download

If you drink Darjeeling, can appreciate a polo-clad blond or simply like good music then mark January 12 on your calendar immediately. Vampire Weekend has announced said date for their new album (with the same old Futura font) entitled Contra. They also announced the 10-song track listing for the album.

Contra

1. Horchata
2. White Sky
3. Holiday
4. California English
5. Taxi Cab
6. Run
7. Cousins
8. Giving Up the Gun
9. Diplomat’s Son
10. I Think Ur a Contra

A concise album with track names like “Horchata”, “California English” and “Diplomat’s Son” eh? Hey, if it ain’t broke… (Via: P4K)

The cardigan-wearing boys (edit: men’s men) of Vampire Weekend are back in the studio recording their as-of-yet untitled sophomore album, which promises to be even sunnier than their first. As keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij puts it, “These songs would be perfect for driving up the Pacific coast, or making an egg-white omelet. Basically, doing fresh things.” Since they’ve made name for themselves and quit their day jobs, Vampire Weekend have had more time and energy to devote to music-making than the first time around. What does this mean for listeners? Ample opportunity to flesh out their Afro-pop influences and wax twee-sodic about trips to MoMA. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for a release date this fall. (via Rolling Stone)