VAMPIRE WEEKEND: 2021, 40:42
by Goose & Sam Gendel
“[2021] leaves you satisfied while wanting more…”
—ESQUIRE
… More has arrived in the form of 40:42.
Vampire Weekend have commissioned universally acclaimed jazz saxophonist Sam Gendel and Connecticut-based rock quintet Goose to each craft reinterpretations of the understated but oddly addictive (NME)“2021.”
The artists were given one directive: make their versions twenty minutes and twenty-one seconds in length (as opposed to the short and sweet (Newsweek) 1:39 original on the band’s GRAMMY winning album, Father of the Bride). Sam Gendel met this challenge with the track “2021 (in the space between two pieces of wood).” Goose’s personal interpretation is titled “2021 (January 5th, to be exact).” The combined effort comprises the upcoming EP, 40:42.
Both of these unique expressions of “2021″ are stunning and unexpected versions of what has become a Vampire Weekend fan favorite. Watch Gendel’s jazz take laid atop his own improvisational animation and Goose perform the song up close and intimately.
Watch both of them here:
The 40:42 EP is available now across all digital platforms and is being self-released by Vampire Weekend.
Sam Gendel is a jazz musician and producer living in Los Angeles. He is most known for his work with the saxophone, though he is proficient on multiple instruments. He has collaborated with Vampire Weekend on the FOTB tracks “Spring Snow” and “Flower Moon,” adding to a diverse CV featuring work with a range of artists including Ry Cooder, Blake Mills, Sam Amidon, Perfume Genius, Moses Sumney, Knower and inc. no world. Gendel’s own discography includes the critically praised Music for Saxofone & Bass Guitar with bassist Sam Wilkes and 4444. Gendel released two full length albums on Nonesuch in 2020, Satin Doll followed by DRM. Both releases were met with universal critical acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Pitchfork and others, and the latter garnered a “Top 10 Best L.A. Albums of 2020” from the Los Angeles Times.
Goose is Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, keyboards/guitar), Trevor Bass (bass), Ben Atkind (drums) and Jeff Arevalo (vocals, percussion). The rock quintet is comprised of friends of differing ages and experiences from the same small town in Connecticut, drawn together through a deep love of music and storytelling. Vampire Weekend and Goose have formed a mutual admiration society, with Ezra singing the praises of Goose on his Beats1Radio show, Time Crisis and Goose’s Peter Anspach heaping similar props on VW as one of his “biggest inspirations… a great band that’s pushing musical boundaries.”
For more information and press photos please visit:
https://www.nastylittleman.com/clients/vampire-weekend/
