They're smart, they're talented, they look good in skinny jeans. They marry teen celebutantes, Pharrell thinks they're hot, female fans want to have their babies, and they're playing The Studio at Webster Hall tonight. Harvard rock duo Chester French is a perfect storm of "next big thing," and gave us an interview before launching their firstworldwide tour. With Harvard correspondent Adam Estes asking the questions, D.A. Wallach and Max Drummey talk music, fashion, and spooge:

Max: We just look up to [Vampire Weekend] so much. I mean, those guys are our idols and to be mentioned in the same breath as them is just fucking—it feels so good. But slightly wrong. Like the first time you jerk off. Yeah, I guess being compared to Vampire Weekend feels like the first time jerking off.

Max: We've got a lot of semen to clean up.
D.A.: It's everywhere.

Interview and more pictures after the jump.

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Hey, there's a great new band that I wonder if any of you have heard of: Vampire Weekend.

Don't worry, I'm totally kidding. And, to make up for that lame attempt at humor, I've made you guys a present: your very own Muxtape.

What's a muxtape? It's a playlist that you stream, rather than download. So for all of you idle Ivy Leaguers hunched over your computers at a miserable unpaid internship, staring mournfully at the clock and dreaming of a cold Corona, here's a little something to make the last few hours before the weekend a little bit more bearable:

HEY IT'S IVYGATE (indie rockin' the ivies)

So dig out your earbuds and click to listen to an awesome playlist featuring music by Ivy League bands Bishop Allen, Chester French, July Miles, the Kitchen Cabinet, the Sinister Turns, and yes, Vampire Weekend. And, if you like what you hear, check out these (Harvard and Columbia) bands on myspace:

Bishop Allen

Chester French

July Miles

the Kitchen Cabinet

the Sinister Turns

Vampire Weekend

It's Monday morning, chappies. Maybe this week you'll do a little more work and spend a little less time screwing around on the internet. But why would you do work if the internet exists? Would you still exist if the internet didn't exist? It's an existential dilemma.

Last night New York was a good place for young rock and rollers and genial lesser- Ivy bashing. The Mercury Lounge played host to Glen Rock, New Jersey heroes Titus Andronicus, along with spazz cuties Ponytail and the recently Pitchfork-approved Abe Vigoda. It was just about the most fun one could have on a Sunday night without going to church, especially when Titus Andonicus crashed into their song "Titus Andronicus" and everyone almost had a heart-attack.

Andronicus's lead singer, Patrick Stickles, who is very tall and has a beard, was seen outside of the club slagging off Columbia prior to his band's set, wondering aloud if it was ranked 13th (try 9th!) and noting the inferiority of its students and events. As a point of comparison, Harvard's graduation ceremony was highly praised. It apparently included a gaggle of trombones and a resplendent JK Rowling "emerging from beneath her invisibility cloak." Columbia's graduation, it should be noted, featured Joel Klein (!) and , uh, lots of students not protesting for a change.

All comments were spoken in good humor, of course (probably), but I can't help but feel that someone should step forward to defend Columbia's honor against marauding young lead singers with no respect for tradition and gentility. I'm trying to think of an indie rock band who went to Columbia that has enjoyed some degree of success recently. I think it might rhyme with Campfire Beacon.

But seriously: VW vs. TA. If anyone's going to Chicago next weekend for the Pitchfork fest, let us know who wins. TA is certainly louder and more ass-kicking, but don't underestimate Vampire Weekend's... connections.