Kurt Samuel Vile is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.
He best known for his solo career and as a former member of indie rock band The War on
Drugs, with whom he recorded one full studio album.
Both in the studio and during live performances, Vile is accompanied by his backing band, The
Violators, which currently includes multi-instrumentalists Jesse Trbovich and Rob Laakso, alongside drummer
Kyle Spence.
Influenced by Pavement, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Tom Petty, and John Fahey, Vile
began his musical career creating lo-fi home recordings with frequent collaborator Adam
Granduciel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The duo subsequently formed the indie rock band The War on Drugs, with Vile departing
following the release of their debut studio album, Wagonwheel Blues.
Focusing on his solo career, Vile released two albums, Constant Hitmaker and God Is Saying
This to You..., before signing to Matador Records, in May 2009, and releasing Childish
Prodigy that same year.
In 2011, Vile released his fourth studio album, Smoke Ring for My Halo, which significantly
increased his exposure.
His fifth studio album, Wakin on a Pretty Daze, was released in 2013.
Biography Beginnings
At the age of fourteen, Kurt Vile was given a banjo by his father, with Vile noting, "I
kind of wished [it] was a guitar.
So I'd kind of just play it like a guitar anyway.
I was really into writing pretty primitive tunes, and really into recording.
I pretty much knew I was going to do music [with my life] then."
Vile began writing songs on the banjo, describing his first self-penned track as: "a joke song.
It was a good instrumental; I knew all these chords, but then I was quoting a cartoon as
the lyrics on top of it.
I had seen this cartoon about Superman and Lex Luthor; it was like the back history of
why Lex Luthor hated Superman.
They used to be friends, and then some giant stone of kryptonite fell and it made Lex Luthor's
hair fall out, and he was like, "You made all my hair fall out!"
It was a really stupid cartoon, but that was my song, 'You Made All My Hair Fall Out'."
Three years later, Vile created his first "mass-produced" tape at the age of seventeen.
Influenced by Pavement, Beck, and the record label, Drag City, Vile noted, "I really thought
I could be on Drag City.
I really wanted that.
I heard these people that made good music but it was still pretty raw, and had this
real cult quality."
While working on his home recordings, Vile worked as a forklift driver, from 2000 to
2002.
Regarding this time in his life, Vile noted "It was a really fast-paced job, unloading
trucks.
Though music was my passion, I had a long way to go then and a lot to learn.
I got depressed so many times by my blue-collar life, and self-conscious about the fact that
I didn't go to college.
I was always working super low-end jobs, being the complete opposite of what I wanted to
be.
But I just fell into it, and I was also sorta shy.
It was definitely a pretty rough time."
The War on Drugs and Constant Hitmaker In 2003, after staying in Boston for two years,
Vile moved back to his hometown of Philadelphia, and began collaborating with musician and
songwriter Adam Granduciel.
The duo subsequently formed the indie rock band The War on Drugs in 2005.
Regarding his friendship with Granduciel, Vile noted, "We're essentially best friends.
He was backing me up in my band when he started working on his own music, so I thought I’d
return the favor."
Granduciel and Vile released their debut studio album, Wagonwheel Blues, in 2008 and embarked
on a tour in support of its release.
At this time, Vile's debut solo album, Constant Hitmaker, was released on Gulcher Records.
Vile subsequently decided to leave The War on Drugs to concentrate on his solo career.
In 2009, Vile noted, "The War On Drugs got put out on a bigger label first, so, in the
blogosphere, some claim that The War on Drugs was my first, main band.
But that’s just the way it looks.
I've made more music than Adam has, and have been doing my Kurt Vile thing for a little
bit longer.
And Constant Hitmaker came out around that same time.
Right when that [War on Drugs] record came out, I went to Europe with them, and also
opened as Kurt Vile.
That was right when I decided I wanted to concentrate on doing my own thing."
Despite Vile's departure, Granduciel remained a member of his backing band, The Violators,
with Granduciel noting, "There was never, despite what lazy journalists have assumed,
any sort of falling out, or resentment."
God Is Saying This to You... and Childish Prodigy
In April 2009, Mexican Summer released Vile's second album, God Is Saying This to You...;
a collection of Vile's home recordings dating back to 2003.
Upon its release, Vile had already recorded a studio album, Childish Prodigy, which Vile
described as "definitely not as lo-fi" as his previous releases.
After shopping the record to various labels, Vile signed with Matador Records in May 2009.
Vile noted, "It's a perfect fit.
They were my number one choice.
I don't really consider my music indie rock or think that Matador cater only to indie
rock, but I still feel I can relate most to Matador, more than any other label.
Not to mention the fact that they are way on top of their shit."
Recorded with backing band The Violators, Childish Prodigy was released on October 6,
2009, and increased Vile's exposure significantly.
Support slots with Dinosaur Jr, Thurston Moore and Fucked Up followed the album's release.
Regarding his new position, Vile stated, "Obviously there's more touring, more press and more
hype which I won't say is not deserved.
There's like a faction of people, too, who like to talk shit, which is kind of new.
When I was more independent, there were people who got really excited and there still are
but once I got more press people started to comment on blogs.
People like to talk shit.
[...] It's like climbing a ladder.
I like to climb it really slowly.
I could probably get really professional right away, but I like to take baby steps and find
my own way."
Smoke Ring for My Halo Vile released his fourth studio album, Smoke
Ring for My Halo, in 2011.
The album peaked at #154 on the Billboard Top 200 and placed highly on many end-of-year
lists.
Later in the year, Vile released a companion EP, So Outta Reach, and appeared on his former
band The War on Drugs' second studio album, Slave Ambient.
Shortly after the release of Smoke Ring for My Halo, longtime Violators guitarist Adam
Granduciel departed from the band to fully focus on The War on Drugs, with Vile noting,
"Adam, he plays in The War on Drugs, his record came out a little after mine did, so at first
he toured, and now he’s obviously busy with that and now he’s working on his new record."
Wakin on a Pretty Daze Wakin on a Pretty Daze was released on April
9, 2013.
Regarding the current line-up of his backing band, Vile noted, "I’m playing with Jesse
[Trbovich] and Rob [Laakso].
[...] Rob Laakso is the newest member and Jesse has been a member forever.
They’re steady members.
Our drummer is no longer with us, but other than that, different friends played drums
on the record and we’re doing rehearsals with that right now.
But other than that, the Violators are me, Jesse, and Rob and we’ll see how it evolves."
Priestess drummer Vince Nudo subsequently joined the band on drums and percussion, after
performing on two of Wakin on a Pretty Daze's tracks.
Steve Gunn joined the band as an "auxiliary Violator", during the band's May 2013 tour
dates, with Vile noting, "It’s impossible to just talk about Steve.
He’s too good!
He’s so good; just listen to him.
What can I even say about him that touches that?
I just want to listen to him."
On September 24, 2013, Vile announced the release of a new EP, It's a Big World Out
There, and a deluxe edition of Wakin on a Pretty Daze.
Backing band The Violators
Vile's band, both live and in the studio, consists of:
Jesse Trbovich – guitars, bass guitar, saxophone
Rob Laakso – guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, various instruments
Kyle Spence – drums, percussion Former
Vince Nudo – drums Steve Gunn – additional live guitars
Adam Granduciel – guitars, various instruments Mike Zanghi – drums, percussion
"Cousin" Dan Bower – drums, percussion Michael Johnson – drums
Sore Eros' Robert Robinson]] – percussion, guitar, effects
Jay Ganas – bass guitar Discography
Solo Studio albums
EPs 2009: Fall Demons
2009: The Hunchback EP 2010: Square Shells
2011: So Outta Reach 2013: It's a Big World Out There
Singles 2008: "Freeway"
2009: "He's Alright" 2010: "In My Time"
2013: "Never Run Away" The War on Drugs
Studio albums Wagonwheel Blues
EPs Demo EP
Barrel of Batteries Future Weather
References
External links Official website