On top of producing and remixing tracks for other artists all year, Batmanglij has started to slowly release music under Rostam. His song “Don’t Let It Get to You” was just released, and shows some promise from the soon-to-be 28-year old.

“Don’t Let It Get to You” is the second track Batmanglij has posted online in the last month. The song starts with a rapid-fire drum pattern that recalls his previous electro-soul side-project Discovery, but then the five minute track settles into a beautiful groove around flutes, synths and a one hell-of-a catchy hook from Rostam himself. (He sings backup vocals for VW, but his voice sounds lead-vocal worthy here.)

“Don’t Let It Get to You” is a perfect blend of the melodic, eclectic work that Vampire Weekend have produced over the past four years.

[Photo Gallery] ACX 2010…
Coachella 2010 – Vampire Weekend
[Photo Gallery] ACX 2010 Vampire…

Dropkick Murphys

It’s been a good week of good deals and cheap eats for all the poor degenerates out there like myself. First, we had Free Pancake Day at IHOP a couple days ago. Then, all this week we’ve had 88 cent Crunchwrap Supremes at Taco Bell. And now, we get some entertainment to go with the food courtesy of Amazon. They’ve put up a fantastic collection of mp3 albums that you can buy for only $5.

You can’t really go wrong with anything on the list, it’s that good. So don’t miss out on great deals for Radiohead, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jimmy Eat World, LCD Soundsystem, Dropkick Murphys and more.

Click each band for the direct Amazon link.

Going Out In Style by Dropkick Murphys

Greatest Hits – We Will Rock You Edition by Queen

The Valley by Eisley

Contra by Vampire Weekend

In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson

Incredibad by The Lonely Island

Young The Giant by Young The Giant

Hot Fuss by The Killers

OK Computer by Radiohead

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Room On Fire by The Strokes

In Utero by Nirvana

Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys

Superunknown by Soundgarden

Sound Of Silver by LCD Soundsystem

Greatest by Duran Duran

Jimmy Eat World by Jimmy Eat World

Sea Change by Beck

Together by The New Pornographers

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Band Of Gypsys (Live) by Jimi Hendrix

Morning View by Incubus

Use Your Illusion II by Guns N’ Roses

Mezmerize by System of a Down

Insomniac by Green Day

Hit To Death In The Future Head by The Flaming Lips

Greatest Hits by Devo

Monster by R.E.M.

Death To False Metal by Weezer

Conor Oberst by Conor Oberst

Pump by Aerosmith

Vampire Weekend has been nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 2011 Grammy Awards for the group’s sophomore album Contra. This is the band’s first-ever Grammy nomination, so will they have beginner’s luck?

Today, Last.fm Trends looks at Vampire Weekend’s scrobbling and some Grammy history to see how they’re doing with fans, and if they’re in with a chance for the award.

On Last.fm, the band’s most popular tracks overall are from their self-titled debut, but Contra tracks such as “Cousins” have a good showing as well: they have an upward trend of weekly listeners, peaking just after their performance at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas. However Vampire Weekend fares during the Grammys, the group’s nomination is sure to bring them to new ears.

Over the past few years it’s been more established acts that have gained the award: previous winners Phoenix were on their fourth album, whilst Radiohead and The White Stripes were on their seventh and sixth respectively. 2006 winners Gnarls Barkley showed that a zeitgeist-capturing debut could go the distance, however, so it’s just possible that Vampire Weekend’s second effort has the chops.

Last.fm Trends will be bringing you Grammy profiles and predictions over the next few weeks, right up until the Grammy Awards air date on February 13. Remember, you can tune in to the show itself on CBS at 8pm.

Read more Grammys stories on Last.fm Trends

See all Grammys 2011 nominees

Indie rockers (and 2x Almost Acoustic Christmas veterans) Vampire Weekend came by Studio R and performed their songs “A-Punk” and “Cousins” live on the Kevin & Bean Show. Not only was it one of the first in-studio performances of 2010, but it was also one of the best and most memorable.

We’ll continue to bring you our favorite performances of 2010 throughout the weekend, so make sure to check back in to see who else made our list. Enjoy the videos after the jump and have a safe New Year’s Eve! See you in 2011!

“A-Punk”

“Cousins”

Photo by Alex Rauch

Unfortunately, Vampire Weekend didn’t wear the ugly Christmas sweaters that we were hoping for, but they did bring their patented brand of preppy, yacht-rock, uber-intellectual lyrics that have been selling out arenas in Europe and England.

We watched as band members Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, Rostam Batmanglij, and Chris Tomson sauntered through the backstage VIP area, while young girls turned their heads away from the presence of Joe Jonas to awkwardly stare at the gorgeously academic looking gentleman.

On stage, they are just as studied; each song is a perfectly constructed gem worthy of high marks.

They started off their set with the ubiquitous and highly appropriate “Holiday,” meeting voluptuous cheers and girlie screams. While they performed their African-tinged “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa,” bass player Chris Baio did a jaunty little 2-step dance, biting his bottom lip in excitement.

The band also perfectly played “Cousins” and “Oxford Comma.”

Vampire Weekend definitely makes us happy to celebrate our “holiday!”

[Photo Gallery] ACX 2010…

Photos by Alex Rauch

Ezra and Chris from Vampire Weekend sat down on the backstage couch with Kat Corbett while Florence & The Machine were on stage.

They had a good laugh as they discussed their family traditions of holiday gingerbread cookies. Kat asked if they were bringing a eukelele out on stage with them, to which they replied, “We’re not quite ready for that.”

The guys just got back from Europe and said that this was pretty much their last show for a while. A few more words about basketball (and playing dirty) and they were on their way back to their green room backstage.

[Photo Gallery] ACX 2010 Vampire…

Photos by Cody Black

No, it isn’t one of the few commercials that this song is airing in, but the OFFICIAL music video for Vampire Weekend‘s “Holiday” takes over as the #1 Video.

Be sure to catch Vampire Weekend on night 2 of the 21st Annual Almost Acoustic Christmas.

Maybe it’s the fact that Vampire Weekend‘s song “Holiday” is appearing in two TV commercials, but this week it’s the #1 Downloaded Song. Guess you guys can’t get enough of them huh?

Catch Vampire Weekend at Night 2 of the 21st Annual Almost Acoustic Christmas.