Christopher Baio is best known for being the bassist for the New York City-based indie rock band Vampire Weekend. But a few years ago, he started a solo project under the stage name Baio. I met Chris backstage at the Biltmore while his mouth was full of humus. The Biltmore was too loud and outside was too rainy, so we ended up standing in the doorway at the top of a long set of stairs that ended at rush hour Kingsway--this is why you can hear both traffic and the echoes from the long hallway while we chat.

What is Chris’ favorite Vampire Weekend song? Who is his favorite hockey player? What was it like going from bassist to producer? Which one of his songs does he describe as a “blackout bender?” How does he decide when a song is done? How did a visit to London’s Tate Modern Museum and a Robert Delaunay painting inspire a song? Which rookie mistake will Chris never make again? Which side project by another established musician does Chris especially admire? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Tracks played on the radio edit of the show…

1) BAIO, The Names (2015) “Sister of Pearl”

2) Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City (2013) “Ya Hey”

3) BAIO, Sunburn EP (2012), “Modern Sunburn”

4) BAIO, The Names (2015) “Endless Rhythm”

5) BAIO, The Names (2015) “Scarlett”

NO songs CANCON