Today, Verve Records announced the signing of singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Kurt Vile. Vile joins a legendary roster of active and retired artists and bands, including The Velvet Underground, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, Jon Batiste, Billie Holiday, and many more. Vile is currently readying his major-label debut, set for release in 2022.
Kurt Vile has been an innovative figure in indie rock for over two decades, first as a member of The War on Drugs and more recently as a solo artist. His collaborative and solo efforts alike have, at every turn, been met with critical praise and increased attention.
“A philosopher in search of philosophy,” mused the New York Times. His recent work with the late and beloved singer-songwriter John Prine, in addition to artists like Courtney Barnett, speak to Vile’s self-possessed ability to cross-pollinate with both heroes and contemporaries, bringing his unique POV to to a myriad of projects.
Kurt Vile says of the signing: “I’ve admired the verve logo on the back (and front!) of many a Velvet Underground album since my teens. in particular, the logo on the back of the vinyl boxset of the quine tapes has been haunting me for the last several years now… for whatever reason I often find myself staring into it (true story!). So when I was approached by the label to be signed I was surprised and honored to be sure… but I had already felt that subliminal enchantment and I knew it was a, well… sign!
I think my previous album “bottle it in” is my deepest record and I’m still really proud of it. I’m excited to release its follow-up on verve. it’s been a crazy fuckin year and I’ve got hundreds of songs and ideas in the can, on paper, and in tape recorders all strewn about the “kv zone”… nuggets recorded before-and-after pandemic times… in studios and from home… music past, present and, yup, we’re still rolling. it’s gonna be heavy, it’s gonna be beautiful… and it’s gonna be out there.” Vile breathes and speaks music, his references built upon 1960s folk and ’70s psychedelic rock.
Jamie Krents, head of Verve Records, “I’ve been a massive fan of Kurt’s for years and feel beyond lucky to have him join the Verve roster. Simply put, he’s one of my favorite artists and songwriters of any era and he makes timeless records. Verve Records has always been a home for unique artists of integrity and creativity, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Kurt to the Verve family.”
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