The Days of Lore

Kurt Vile’s got a fever

Friday, January 7th, 2011 | musiX | No Comments

I can’t say I’m a big fan of any Kurt Vile record as a whole, but he sure has written some great songs. Vile cranks out effortless jams like Petty. And he’s only gonna get better.

I recently came across an interview with the Philly-bred guitarist on Tiny Mix Tapes where he talked about being exposed to music as a kid: “I was always just really into music. It just always made me feel real good.” That statement is almost nondescript, but I found it so damned endearing. Not to mention it sums up many of his own tunes—strummy nods to classic rock and folk that, even when Vile experiments with darker, weirder sounds, have a way of making you feel real good.

The former War On Drugs guitarist is gearing up for the release of his second full-length for Matador, who snatched him up in 2009. Smoke Ring For My Halo isn’t out until March 8, but the label has dished up another single for TDoL to dish up for you. And it’s a tasty one. Dig in.

“Jesus Fever” - Kurt Vile

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Tags: Kurt Vile, Matador, Smoke Ring For My Halo

In the name of rock

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 | musiX | No Comments

I love rock ‘n’ roll names—the Sex Pistols had Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious, the Cramps had Lux Interior, Madness—Suggs. There’s Flea, Slash, Zakk Wylde. Me? I’d go with something like Marck Rock or Marky Malarkey.

Then you have a name like Spiral Stairs … not necessarily cool, but when you’re in Pavement not being cool is what actually makes you cool. Since Pavement, Scott Kannberg—aka Spiral Stairs—has been making music with Preston School of Industry. His new album The Real Feel will be his first under the moniker Spiral Stairs. The first single—a fun, jangly number called “Maltese Terrier”—is out now, and the new record will be released on Matador Oct. 20, which, incidentally, will be the date Marky Malarkey releases his debut album called … Marky Malarkey.

Actually, don’t believe anything I say. But feel free to enjoy Spiral Stairs and to post your favorite rock names in the comments section.

“Maltese Terrier” - Spiral Stairs

Tags: Matador, Pavement, Preston School of Industry, rock names, Scott Kannberg, Spiral Stairs