The Song That Changed My Life: Rostam

Episode notes

(Photo: Emma McIntyre / Getty Images)

The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they are today. This time around we’re joined by singer songwriter Rostam.

He got his start as a member of Vampire Weekend. He produced the band’s first three records, including some of their biggest hits.

He’s since left the band, but keeps busy producing. He collaborated on a record with Hamilton Leithauser of the Walkmen in 2016, followed that up with his solo debut, and produced the acclaimed Haim record Women in Music Pt. III.

Rostam joins us to talk about The Coast by Paul Simon. A lot of critics consider Graceland to be Simon’s masterpiece, but as Rostam tells it, The Coast from the album The Rhythm of the Saints is also a rewarding listen.

Rostam explains how the song helped him visualize and produce the first Vampire Weekend album. Plus, he’ll shares a story about the time he met Paul Simon when the band performed on SNL.

Rostam’s second solo album Changephobia is out now.

In this episode...

Jesse Thorn

Host

Kevin Ferguson

Senior Producer

Jesus Ambrosio

Producer

Richard Robey

Maximum Fun Producer

Daniel Huecias

Maximum Fun Production Fellow

Guests

Rostam

About the show

Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.

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