Ezra Koenig
Birthday: 8 April 1984
Height: 182 cm
Ezra Koenig was born on April 8, 1984.
Just because I grew up a white guy in America doesn't mean that's the music of my life.
Just because I grew up a white guy in America doesn't mean that's the music of my life.
My dad has a really great record collection that basically went up to the year I was born: 1984.
My dad has a really great record collection that basically went up to the year I was born: 1984.
Making every record is a process full of tough times.
Making every record is a process full of tough times.
Sometimes you want to dress a certain way... that doesn't always reflect your pedigree.
Sometimes you want to dress a certain way... that doesn't always reflect your pedigree.
It's cool to have instruments lying around because they give you different ideas.
It's cool to have instruments lying around because they give you different ideas.
I'm a huge fan of the Bay Area so I always love coming to San Francisco.
I'm a huge fan of the Bay Area so I always love coming to San Francisco.
I like how Ralph Lauren creates a mystical world through his clothing.
I like how Ralph Lauren creates a mystical world through his clothing.
Playing 'Tetris' for 15 minutes is like meditation.
Playing 'Tetris' for 15 minutes is like meditation.
All I know for sure is that issues like race, like class, are always best approached with compassion Show more
All I know for sure is that issues like race, like class, are always best approached with compassion and open-mindedness. Hide
When Obama came to power, there was a lot of talk about a post-racial America.
When Obama came to power, there was a lot of talk about a post-racial America.
You can be 24 and continue to live like you're at college, or even continue to live like you're in h Show more
You can be 24 and continue to live like you're at college, or even continue to live like you're in high school. Or you can put on a shirt and tie and pretend to be an adult. Hide
I'm pretty sure that the Walkmen are the band that I've paid to see the most in my life.
I'm pretty sure that the Walkmen are the band that I've paid to see the most in my life.
Anyways, trying to express yourself to the press is often like arguing with a hysterical person.
Anyways, trying to express yourself to the press is often like arguing with a hysterical person.
I remember the first pangs of stress arriving at the end of school. Once I graduated I had to get a Show more
I remember the first pangs of stress arriving at the end of school. Once I graduated I had to get a full-time job, worry about health insurance, saving money, paying rent - things I'd never thought about before. Hide
I do think sometimes there's danger in guest appearance mania. I've seen too many examples that soun Show more
I do think sometimes there's danger in guest appearance mania. I've seen too many examples that sound cool on paper, like 'Oh, get that guy to sing the hook on that guy's song,' and then that's all it is. It's a cool idea that sounds good on paper. Hide
Musicals don't get enough credit for being so surreal. It's like an alternate universe.
Musicals don't get enough credit for being so surreal. It's like an alternate universe.
It's so easy for anyone to deal with their own guilt of being a middle-class white music fan by poin Show more
It's so easy for anyone to deal with their own guilt of being a middle-class white music fan by pointing to other people who they perceive to be richer than them, whiter than them. Hide
It's pretty cool that people will pay for something even though they don't have to. It's totally dif Show more
It's pretty cool that people will pay for something even though they don't have to. It's totally different now to back in the day. Now you're paying for a record because you believe in the band. In the future that will be the only time people will pay for albums, because there's some kind of connection. Hide
I go to great pains to find the best yogurt and granola.
I go to great pains to find the best yogurt and granola.
Rapping and singing are not two polar opposites. There's so much middle ground. And I think there's Show more
Rapping and singing are not two polar opposites. There's so much middle ground. And I think there's a lot of people who find that middle ground. Hide
There aren't that many people walking about who are a total class stereotype.
There aren't that many people walking about who are a total class stereotype.
My dad grew up in a working-class Jewish neighbourhood, and I got a scholarship from my dad's union Show more
My dad grew up in a working-class Jewish neighbourhood, and I got a scholarship from my dad's union to go to college. I went there to get an education, not as an extension of privilege. Hide
I still think that if you're excited about something, you have to work at it.
I still think that if you're excited about something, you have to work at it.
No part of Manhattan these days really has the same vibe I get from a Ramones song or a Velvet Under Show more
No part of Manhattan these days really has the same vibe I get from a Ramones song or a Velvet Underground song. Hide
If kids and teenagers can get into a band, it's probably not because they think it's brainy.
If kids and teenagers can get into a band, it's probably not because they think it's brainy.
Some people say video games rot your brain, but I think they work different muscles that maybe you d Show more
Some people say video games rot your brain, but I think they work different muscles that maybe you don't normally use. Hide
As an artist you have the luxury of maybe presenting an issue in a certain way, as opposed to actual Show more
As an artist you have the luxury of maybe presenting an issue in a certain way, as opposed to actually solving it. Hide
I still to this day get the most inspiration from rap lyrics.
I still to this day get the most inspiration from rap lyrics.
I grew up listening to Jay-Z, and I think the first time I really became obsessed with learning and Show more
I grew up listening to Jay-Z, and I think the first time I really became obsessed with learning and thinking about lyrics was when I started listening to rap; I was 11, 12, and started becoming aware of music beyond the familiar. Hide
I went to Columbia University because I knew I wanted to go to a school that was academically rigoro Show more
I went to Columbia University because I knew I wanted to go to a school that was academically rigorous. I prided myself on getting good grades, but I also hated it. Hide
In Europe, I always have fun bike riding in Amsterdam.
In Europe, I always have fun bike riding in Amsterdam.
Growing up listening to rap music, you almost feel like you should have haters. That's an important Show more
Growing up listening to rap music, you almost feel like you should have haters. That's an important part of being a successful musician. It's a good thing, I guess. Hide
Well, growing up in the '90s, my first true love was ska music.
Well, growing up in the '90s, my first true love was ska music.
I don't like to generalize but I've had nothing but bad experiences with Mexican food in Europe.
I don't like to generalize but I've had nothing but bad experiences with Mexican food in Europe.
Ezra Koenig's FILMOGRAPHY
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as Actor (37)
as Creator (1)
