1. Ezra Michael Koenig is an American musician, record producer, and radio personality.
28 Facts About Ezra Koenig
1. 2.
Ezra Koenig is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of indie rock band Vampire Weekend.
3.
Ezra Koenig was nominated for Album of the Year in 2016 for his production work on Beyonce's album Lemonade.
4.
Ezra Koenig was born in New York City and is the son of Bobby Bass, a psychotherapist, and Robin Ezra Koenig, a set dresser on film and TV productions.
5.
Ezra Koenig is Jewish, and his family emigrated to the US from Romania and Hungary.
6.
Ezra Koenig's parents lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan before moving to Glen Ridge, New Jersey shortly after their son's birth.
7.
Ezra Koenig began writing music around the age of ten, and his first song ever was titled "Bad Birthday Party".
8.
Students recalled Ezra Koenig bringing his guitar with him to class, despite trying to hide it and his music career.
9.
Ezra Koenig was described as a laid-back teacher who successfully made bonds with his students.
10.
In 2004, Ezra Koenig formed the hip hop group L'Homme Run, which was notable for the comedic track "Pizza Party", with Andrew Kalaidjian and fellow Vampire Weekend band member Chris Tomson, played saxophone for the indie rock band Dirty Projectors and worked as an intern for The Walkmen.
11.
In 2005, Ezra Koenig formed the indie rock band Vampire Weekend.
12.
Ezra Koenig met his bandmates at Columbia University, prior to 2003.
13.
In 2015 Ezra Koenig began hosting his own podcast on Apple Music.
14.
In 2009, Ezra Koenig provided vocals on the song "Carby" on LP, the debut album from Discovery, a group which features Vampire Weekend keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot vocalist Wes Miles.
15.
In 2012, Ezra Koenig performed "I Think Ur a Contra" with Angelique Kidjo in her PBS special.
16.
Ezra Koenig appeared and provided vocals in the music video for Duck Sauce's "Barbra Streisand".
17.
Ezra Koenig's recording of the song "Papa Hobo", by Paul Simon, was included as part of the soundtrack for Max Winkler's film Ceremony.
18.
In 2013, Ezra Koenig was featured in the song "Jessica" by Major Lazer.
19.
In 2014, Koenig was featured on "Ezra's Interlude" by Chromeo, as well as "New Dorp, New York" by SBTRKT.
20.
Ezra Koenig appeared in the HBO drama series Girls and Haim's music video for "My Song 5" featuring A$AP Ferg, and performed the voice of Ryland on the animated series Major Lazer.
21.
At the 86th Academy Awards, Ezra Koenig accompanied Karen O on backing vocals and acoustic guitar for her performance of the Oscar-nominated song "The Moon Song" from the film Her.
22.
In 2016, Ezra Koenig was credited as a writer and producer on the song "Hold Up" by Beyonce.
23.
In January and April 2016, Ezra Koenig vocally supported political candidate Bernie Sanders by performing at a number of his rallies.
24.
In 2017, Ezra Koenig made an appearance in Charli XCX's music video for "Boys".
25.
In 2018, Ezra Koenig was credited as a songwriter and producer on the single "I Promise You" by James Corden, from the film Peter Rabbit, which prominently featured Vampire Weekend's songs.
26.
In 2022, Ezra Koenig was credited as a co-writer and producer of Liam Gallagher's song "Moscow Rules" from his album C'mon You Know.
27.
Since the age of 9, Ezra Koenig has been an admirer of music.
28.
Ezra Koenig is a self-professed fan of bands such as the Grateful Dead and Sublime, who he believes largely influenced his musical taste.