KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS
Kurt Vile is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his distinctive blend of indie rock, folk, and psychedelic music, whose career began in the early 2000s when he started writing and recording songs in his bedroom. In 2008, he released his debut album, “Constant Hitmaker,” which led to his signing to Matador Records.
Following the success of “Constant Hitmaker,” Vile continued to release a string of critically acclaimed albums, including “Childish Prodigy” (2009), “Smoke Ring for My Halo” (2011), “Wakin on a Pretty Daze” (2013), and “b’lieve i’m goin down… (2015),” which further solidified his reputation as one of the most important voices in contemporary rock music. In 2022 he signed to Verve Records, releasing his major label debut “(watch my moves),” followed by a 2023 EP titled “Back to Moon Beach.”
Throughout his career, Vile has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Courtney Barnett, J Mascis, John Prine, Kim Gordon, Warpaint, Willie Nelson, and more. His collaborative album with Barnett, “Lotta Sea Lice” (2017), received widespread acclaim and showcased the chemistry between the two musicians.
Kurt Vile has achieved significant commercial success, with over 1 million albums sold globally and over 500 million streams on Spotify. His single “Pretty Pimpin” has been certified Gold by the RIAA.
Vile’s live performances have been featured on late-night television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Late Show with David Letterman. He has also performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and made appearances on Austin City Limits TV for a John Prine tribute, Portlandia, and HBO’s Animals, where he played an animated squirrel. He was even an answer on Jeopardy. Additionally, Vile’s influence and talent have been recognized by Rolling Stone magazine, which named him one of the 250 Best Guitarists Of All Time.