music
May 4, 2026
'My generation have deluded themselves': ex-Vampire Weekender Rostam on pop, protest and life as an Iranian-American
Inspired in part by Zohran Mamdani’s NY mayorship, Rostam Batmanglij’s gorgeous new album fuses Americana with sounds of the Middle East. So why isn’t his mum happy?
TL;DR
- Rostam Batmanglij, a producer and former Vampire Weekend member, discusses his fascination with US culture and his identity as an Iranian-American.
- His third solo album, 'American Stories,' blends Persian and Americana musical elements, addressing love, songwriting, and the political landscape.
- The election of Zohran Mamdani influenced Batmanglij's focus on the definition of 'American' and the expansion of American leadership.
- Some songs on the album subtly reference the conflict in the Middle East, touching on themes of resilience and solidarity.
- Batmanglij believes younger generations have greater clarity about world events compared to older generations.
- Leaving Vampire Weekend allowed him to pursue his creative ideas more freely, exemplified by the track 'Hardy' featuring Clairo.