118. Brian Dunne Discusses Vampire Weekend, Father of the Bride

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Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Dunne joins Al for this episode to introduce him to Vampire Weekend’s Father of the Bride. Brian talks about why he loves the album’s frequent shifting of genres, what he admires about Ezra Koenig as a songwriter and the specific time period that the album references. Brian also discusses his new album, Loser On The Ropes, and playing the songs from the album live for the first time.

Al has a previous guest to thank for his being aware of Brian’s music, and ultimately, for Brian joining him for this episode. Joan Holiday, who was Al's guest on ep. 66, played “Rockaway” on her drive time show on WRSI The River.

At 51:46, Al and Mary Beth’s horse Fynn makes his first podcast appearance!

Be sure to follow Brian on Twitter and Instagram at @briandunnemusic!

Brian also has a website, https://www.briandunnemusic.net/…

…and a Bandcamp page: https://briandunne.bandcamp.com/.

Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.

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1:15 Brian joins the show

1:36 Brian explains why he chose to discuss Father of the Bride

3:03 The album’s frequent changes in styles and genres made an immediate impression on Brian

5:47 Brian cites an example of great songwriting on the album

9:30 Father of the Bride has been a polarizing album for Vampire Weekend fans

11:23 Al wonders why he has such a hard time “getting” Vampire Weekend

14:05 Brian places Vampire Weekend in the context of indie rock

17:30 There is a purpose to all of the switching between genres

21:56 Brian talks about growing up with classic rock

24:11 Brian digs into his favorite songs on the album

27:57 Al asks Brian for his interpretation of “Jerusalem, New York, Berlin”

31:49 Brian understands that Father of the Bride is not for everybody

33:04 Al talks about one of his favorite moments on the album

34:50 Brian sees Modern Vampires of the City as a pivotal album

37:07 Father of the Bride takes Brian back to 1994

40:45 Brian makes an analogy between Father of the Bride and Bruce Springsteen’s The River

46:46 Brain explains what he was conveying with the song “Rockaway”

51:58 Brian talks about playing the songs from Loser On The Ropes live

Outro is from “Rockaway” by Brian Dunne.

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