NPR: Mansard Roof

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Mansard Roof

by Bob Boilen

I was playing The Vampire Weekend CD for my family on a ride to the National Gallery of Art. We were going to see the Edward Hopper exhibit before it moves on to Chicago.

The opening cut to the Vampire Weekend CD is called Mansard Roof.

As it turns out one of the first paintings in the extraordinary Hopper exhibit is called The Mansard Roof.

Edward Hopper "The Mansard Roof"

So what is a Mansard roof?
As you can see in the Hopper painting, and according to the Wiki it is "characterized by two slopes on each of its four sides with the lower slope being much steeper, almost a vertical wall, while the upper slope, usually not visible from the ground, is pitched at the minimum needed to shed water."
It is a common feature of late 19th century buildings in Europe. It also became popular around Boston and by Victorian style buildings back then. It also made its way to the Gloucester, Massachusetts where Hopper did his painting.
Gloucester is not terribly far from Cape Cod the subject of Vampire Weekend songs.

I figured that Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend must have been inspired by all that Northeastern architecture.

I wrote to Ezra and asked him.
I was wrong.

He didn't know the Hopper painting. He knows of a painting his mom likes; a French painting with Mansard roofs. The roof that inspired the song however is in Bloomfield, NJ.

I love the stories behind songs.
It's something we should explore.
I'm not sure of the best way.
Any ideas?

8:48 PM ET | 01-26-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Inspiration is varied and subjective, no? That is to say, it differs from person to person. Plus, you're bringing the subject of inspiration to the surface with "Project Song" anyway. However, it would be very interesting to do a show on a bunch of songs by different artists inspired by the same thing, but each story being different for each song. obviously, it would have to be more specific than things like "love." start looking for similarities and write to a bunch of artists would be my approach. i look forward to this potential show along with the show about a band you can call your own.

Sent by the.audio.phile | 4:53 PM ET | 01-27-2008

I always want to know what the stories are behind favorite songs, but I've found that discovering what they are, even utilizing the internet, is very difficult. Some artists are very forthcoming with what inspired them, while others prefer to their listeners come up with stories of their own.

Personally, I would love to see you try a Storytellers approach with artists. Sit down with one for an hour or so, and just let them speak about either the stories behind their songs, or the stories that have grown up around their songs.
good idea, and you're right, some love to talk and others love to avoid the talk!
bb

Sent by racerabbit | 8:53 PM ET | 02-03-2008

Hold a competition or do a review of the best Stories Behind Songs. That would be super great. Cheers from Detroit.

this could be interesting....I want to think how to make something like that work...any more thoughts post them here
bb

Sent by Angela | 9:42 AM ET | 02-04-2008

Perhaps a great way to do this would be to take the host out of the equation, for the most part. That is, let a listener tell an artist what they think the story is behind the song and then let the artist respond. It could be light or profound. It could be silly or powerful.

Sent by Alex Ezell | 12:56 AM ET | 02-19-2008

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