Vampire Weekend’s album, Contra, remains the subject of a $2 million lawsuit arising from a dispute over the rights to the cover-art photograph. Model Kristen Kennis says she never authorized use of the 1983 photograph. Ezra Koenig, lead singer for the group, is a 2002 Glen Ridge High School graduate.
Vampire Weekend and its recording label are staying mum. Sonya Kolowrat, senior director of publicity at XL Recordings, said in a statement:
As is standard practice, Vampire Weekend and XL Recordings licensed the rights to use the photo on the cover of Contra pursuant to a license agreement that contains representations and warranties authorizing this use of the photo. Now that a lawsuit has been filed, we look forward to having the matter resolved in Court. We will be filing our response after we have had an opportunity to review the allegations. Consistent with our practice, we will not be commenting further about the pending litigation at this time.
Interestingly enough, Koenig’s sister, Emma, who was a star of the Glen Ridge stage before she graduated from high school in 2006, appears on the cover of one of my son’s CD’s, looking more like she’s had an encounter with a Vampire than Kennis, who filed her suit in July.
Alex Patrick and his Montclair-based punk band Forever Stark selected Emma Koenig for the cover of ”If I Knew You Were Coming I’d Have Set Fire To The Place” after she agreed to pose for the cover shot, so there’s no issue there.
The Montclair-based band also includes Lucas Carine, Noah Chapman, Robin Carine and Jed Crocker.
Emma Koenig currently lives in New York City and is pursuing a career in acting and music.
You know punk is dead when your mom plugs your album.
“They used a cutout of the queen on the cover of me son’s punk rock album!”
- Ma Vicious
Sadly, I gotta agree with you there Mrx5000.
If you listen to the only “current rock” station out of NYC, you’ll hear some of the best main-stream rock fom the 80s and 90s. But, if what the new stuff they’re playing is typical of the scene today; rock in general (not just punk) is in some big trouble.
(Though WDHA out of Dover plays GREAT music from new bands that I constantly find myself wishing they’d play on a station I can get West of Rt. 23.)
There’s a lid for every pot and a chair for every ass. Taste, age and testosterone levels determine what music is listenable and what isn’t, I suppose. WFUV is more my speed, frankly, but will check out DHA since Generically Named Mike recommends it.
Baristagem,
If your ipod playlist runs something like Joan Jett, STP, Guns n Roses, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Rush, Pink Floyd, Zeplin, Thorogood… then you will probably like WDHA.
I heard a song by each of those bands so far this week on that station and quite a bit more from new bands like Halestorm (very rockin’ band with a female lead you would swear is the reincarnation of Joann Jett).
The number on the dial is 105.5.
There’s tons of great music coming out. Listening to the radio is a waste of time. Sadly the UK seems to be more musically open-minded and enthusiastic about bands and live shows. I always try to grab Mojo, Q, & Uncut at any decent magazine store and I’ve found out about lots of great new music. Rolling Stone is too busy writing about Jennifer Aniston and Twilight and crap like that.
… send lawyers, guns and money … the …
@GNM good station!
WFMU all the way.