Indie rock band Vampire Weekend took # 1 on the weekly Billboard 200 album chart this week. The band’s most recent album, Modern Vampires of the City, beat out country legend George Strait and pop star Demi Lavoto to take the top spot. Previously the New York natives earned the top bill on the Billboard 200 with their rookie album Contra in 2010.
Vampires of the City is the nineteenth independently- distributed album to debut at #1 since 1991, also making it the first indie album to debut at #1 this year. Vampires was released on XL Recordings and distributed by Warner Music’s indie- distribution arm Alternative Alliance.
The New York based rockers are currently making their way across North America promoting their new album and are set to make a stop at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, Texas.
