03/01 Boston, MA – Newbury Comics (Newbury Street store)
03/02 Washington, DC – Red Onion Records and Books
03/02 Baltimore, MD – Sound Garden
03/04 Philadelphia, PA – AKA Music
03/08 Brooklyn, NY – Academy LPs (with Northampton Wools)
03/08 New York, NY – Generation Records
03/08 New York, NY – Other Music
03/10 Ithaca, NY – Castaways (with J Mascis)
03/11 Toronto, Ontario – The Great Hall (Canadian Music Fest) (with J Mascis)
03/12 Kingston, Ontario – The Mansion
03/13 Burlington, VT – Monkey House
03/14 Milford, CT – Daniel Street
03/19 Austin, TX – Ground Control Showcase at Auditorium Shores (SXSW)
03/22 Brattleboro, MA – Headroom Stages (with J Mascis)
03/23 Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live (with J Mascis)
03/24 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge (with J Mascis)
03/25 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg (with J Mascis)
03/26 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall (with J Mascis)
03/28 Red Hook, NY – Bard College
03/29 Pittsburgh, PA – Andy Warhol Museum
03/30 Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop (with J Mascis)
03/31 Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig (with J Mascis)
04/01 Chicago, IL – Subterranean (with J Mascis)
04/02 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry (with J Mascis)
04/03 Iowa City, IA – The Mill
04/05 Gambier, OH – Kenyon College
04/06 Nashville, TN – The End
04/07 Atlanta, GA – The Earl (with J Mascis)
04/08 Athens, GA – Melting Point (with J Mascis)
04/09 Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle (with J Mascis)
04/10 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle (with J Mascis)
04/21 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
04/22 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
04/23 Portland, OR – Bunk Bar
04/24 Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
04/25 Vancouver, British Columbia – Waldorf Hotel
05/11 Berlin, Germany – Festaal Kreuzberg
05/15 Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli
05/19 London, England – Corsica Studios
05/20 Liverpool, England – Sound City Festival
05/21 Glasgow, Scotland – Stag & Dagger Festival @ Captains Rest
05/25-29 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Festival
06/30-7-3 Roskilde, Denmark – Roskilde Festival
Perhaps you’re not aware, but long before I rose to the ranks of Matablog editor / label co-owner, I dabbled a bit in the wild world of music press. Back in the go-go 1980′s, I wrote for publications including (but not limited to) High Wire, The Wayland Town Crier, and of course, Smegma Journal. During that period, I had the good fortune of covering such emerging, pioneering acts as the Little River Band, Nantucket and The Sickness.
So it’s with that body of work (probably part of an Experience Music Project exhibit, if not an entirely new wing someday) in mind, that I’d like to help you, the mystified, befuddled rock fans of today, make some sense of what modern music journalists are banging on about. For instance, when Uncut’s Louis Pattison writes of Kurt Vile’s ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’, “the real heart of this record seems to lie in the moments of stillness and rest, where strung-out slackerdom attains an almost sacred quality”, what the layperson might not understand is that Mr. Pattison is really trying to say,“THIS IS THE GREATEST RECORD OF 2011 SO FAR AND IF YOU DISAGREE, I’M GOING TO HIT YOU WITH A SHOVEL”.
Likewise, when Mojo’s Stevie Chick might cause some casual readers to scratch their heads with his thoughts regarding ‘Smoke Ring’ (“while the melodies and vibe seem to be channeling lost AM radio transmissions from the ’70′s, Vile’s no relic-treasuring throwback, finding a unique, laconic voice of his own amongst the tangle”), the Rock-Criticism-To-English-Translator ™ generates the following ; “it is a work of total genius, to only purchase one copy would be a crime against art, beauty and the human spirit.”
Of course, our good friends from the British monthlies aren’t the only ones prone to bouts of understatement, and that’s why you’re so very lucky I’m here to make sense of yet another Kurt Vile rave, this one coming from Pitchfork’s Jayson Greene, who argues ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo”‘s “Ghost Town”, “churns along in a similar weightless middle space as Wilco’s ‘I Am Trying To Break Your Heart’ but instead of Jeff Tweedy’s earnest napkin poetry Vile gives us muttered, inscrutable darts, a series of private jokes for an audience of one.” What Mr. Greene wanted to testify was actually, “Kurt Vile’s prose has molested my mind. And I was asking for it.”
It’s been my pleasure to walk you through the intellectual mine field that passes for record reviews, and who knows? The next time one of these analysts is beating around the bush, I’ll not hesitate to assist, particularly if it can put the work of Kurt Vile in a deserved, wider context.
After completing a whole load of north american dates, Kurt Vile (and the Violators) will be heading over to Europe for 3 weeks worth of shows, starting early May and taking in headline shows and festivals, including Primavera Sound, Stag & Dagger and Liverpool Sound City festivals.
Ahead of the release of the new album ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ Pitchfork have previewed the album track ‘Ghost Town’ naming it best new music – you can head there now to hear it for yourself.
Regular Matablog readers will be both familiar with and appreciative of the restraint with which we discuss the various going-on that are inevitably a part of life here in the music industry’s fast lane. It’s at the risk of ruining our reputation for understatement, then, that I describe the anticipation for Kurt Vile’s forthcoming album, Smoke Ring For My Halo, as approaching a fever pitch. Kurt & The Violators are happy to contribute to that build-up with today’s live broadcast of their WXPN Free at Noon show, which starts exactly when you would think it would: 12:00 noon EST. Philadelphia, tune in at 88.5FM. Rest of the world, do yourself a favor and listen online.
As previously reported Kurt Vile And The Violators will be touring North America this Spring in support of the forthcoming Kurt Vile LP, Smoke Ring For My Halo.
We’re happy to report some more dates to the touring schedule, including a West Coast headline run at the end of April (new dates below in bold).
But before all this kicks off, don’t forget, Mr. Vile will be doing a run of East Coast solo in-store dates around Smoke Ring For My Halo’s March 8 release. You can find all in-store date and location info here.
Kurt Vile And The Violators Spring Tour
Thursday, March 10 – Ithaca, NY – Castaways #
Friday, March 11 – Toronto, ONT – The Great Hall (Canadian Music Fest) # Saturday, March 12 — Kingston, ONT — The Mansion **
Sunday, March 13 — Burlington, VT — Monkey House **
Monday, March 14 — Milford, CT — Daniel Street ** Saturday, March 19 — Austin, TX — Ground Control Showcase at Auditorium Shores (SXSW)
Tuesday, March 22 – Battleboro, VT – Headroom Stages #
Wednesday, March 23 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live #
Thursday, March 24 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge # (SOLD OUT)
Friday, March 25 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg #
Saturday, March 26 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall # Monday, March 28 — Red Hook, NY — BARD College **
Tuesday, March 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Andy Warhol Museum **
Wednesday, March 30 – Cleveland Hts, OH – Grog Shop #
Thursday, March 31 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig #
Friday, April 01 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean #
Saturday, April 02 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry # Sunday, April 03 — Iowa City, IA — The Mill **
Tuesday, April 05 — Gambier, OH — Kenyon College **
Wednesday, April 06 — Nashville, TN — The End **
Thursday, April 07 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
Friday, April 08 – Athens, GA – Melting Point #
Saturday, April 09 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle #
Sunday, April 10 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle # Thursday, April 21 — Los Angeles, CA — The Echo **
Friday, April 22 — San Francisco, CA — Bottom Of The Hill **
Saturday, April 23 — Portland, OR — Bunk Bar **
Sunday, April 24 — Seattle, WA — Sunset Tavern **
Monday, April 25 — Vancouver, BC — Waldorf Hotel **
# Supporting J Mascis
** Kurt Vile And The Violators Headline
Pre-order Smoke Ring For My Halohere for 15% off + a free poster
Listen to “Jesus Fever” here
In anticipation of the release of his upcoming ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ (out 3/8), Kurt Vile will be running around the northeast and stopping in some of our favorite independent record shops playing a series of solo acoustic (and one full-band) instores. Some very special guests are in the works, with Northampton Wools (Thurston Moore + Bill Nace) already confirmed for one of the three NYC engagements.
As previously mentioned on the Matablog, Kurt Vile is heading out on the road this Spring in support of the March 8 release of Smoke Ring For My Halo.
Well we’re now happy to announce that Kurt Vile And The Violators will be supporting J Mascis on the following run of dates (tickets on sale this Friday and Saturday):
Thursday, March 10 – Ithaca, NY – Castaways #
Friday, March 11 – Toronto, ONT – The Great Hall (Canadian Music Fest) #
Tuesday, March 22 – Battleboro, VT – Headroom Stages #
Wednesday, March 23 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live #
Thursday, March 24 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge #
Friday, March 25 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg #
Saturday, March 26 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall #
Tuesday, March 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Andy Warhol Museum **
Wednesday, March 30 – Cleveland Hts, OH – Grog Shop #
Thursday, March 31 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig #
Friday, April 01 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean #
Saturday, April 02 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry #
Thursday, April 07 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
Friday, April 08 – Athens, GA – Melting Point #
Saturday, April 09 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle #
Sunday, April 10 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle #
# Supporting J Mascis
** Kurt Vile And The Violators Headline
And on top of all this live goodness, Kurt and the Violators will also be making their way through this year’s SXSW (further details to be announced).
Pre-order Smoke Ring For My Halo on LP/CD here
Listen to “Jesus Fever” here
We’ve been touting the March 8 release of ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ for several weeks, but at present find ourselves in a no-caffeine-necessary frenzy over the sudden availability of the album’s 2nd MP3, “Jesus Fever”
Granted, the prior version was pretty cool, but we’re far more pleased with the new sleeve for Kurt Vile’s forthcoming ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ LP/CD/digital album (March 8, 2011). More news about this hotly anticipated album coming later this week…
Fans of modern American troubadour Kurt Vile (and we hope that’s a category that includes each and every one of you) aren’t getting a chance to catch their breath this week. Hot on the heels of yesterday’s announcement of Mr. Vile’s forthcoming opus, Smoke Ring For My Halo, comes the news that Kurt will be appearing tonight on Tom Scharpling’s The Best Show On WFMU. Given the Best Show’s well-known connection to Kurt’s hometown of Philadelphia, we can only imagine what will transpire on this broadcast.
On top of that, Andrew Earles of Earles & Jensen fame will also be in the studio with Tom to discuss his recently published book on the legendary Husker Du.
This explosion of star power starts tonight at 9:00PM EST and goes all the way til midnight, so there’s plenty of time for you to tune in at 91.1FM or wfmu.org.
Some 17 months ago, a particularly hyperbole-crazed record company functionary gushed about this imprint’s signing of “one of the more important figures in American music circa 2009″, certainly the sort of poisoned chalice a young musician would have as much trouble living down as the subject of Jon Landau’s 1974 claim in The Real Paper, “I have seen rock’n'roll future.”
We of course know that in the latter instance, Landau was referring to Paul Williams, and in the former, I was writing about Philadelphia’s Kurt Vile. Through a succession of releases for Matador, Woodsist, Gulcher, Richie and Mexican Summer (not to mention constant touring, both as a headliner an in support of a dizzying range of artists including Ariel Pink, Sonic Youth, Fucked Up, Big Star, The National, Dinosaur Jr.and others) Kurt has quickly established himself as the troubadour du jour for an increasingly large number of clued-in persons. Though initially praised in some corners for having “absorbed a lifetime’s worth of FM rock”, Kurt’s music has developed into something less genre/period-specific yet far more focused & powerful. On March 8, we’ll be unveiling the next stage in that development with the LP/CD/digital album, ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ ; recorded by John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) throughout 2010 at various studios in NYC, Hoboken and Philadelphia, the 2nd Kurt Vile full-length for Matador is easily his most ambitious work to date. Assisted by a cast including but not limited to the Violators, ‘Smoke Ring’ doesn’t merely showcase Kurt’s versatility (keep in mind, this is a guy who was once compared to Leonard Cohen, Psychic TV, Tom Petty and Animal Collective — in the same review), but truly ties otherwise disparate elements together in a way that hopefully causes everyone to seriously re-evaluate the very nature of what they consider to be a classic album.
Or failing that, the sort of album you’ll be playing very loud in the car. Or first thing in the morning. Or perhaps at 3am. We could call it a record for every mood but you might be far moodier than any of us and that wouldn’t be fair.
‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ :
A side:
Baby’s Arms
Jesus Fever
Puppet To The Man
On Tour
Society Is My Friend
B side:
Runner Ups
In My Time
Peeping Tomboy
Smoke Ring For My Halo
Ghost Town
In the very near future, we’ll be making another preview MP3 from ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ available, but until then, you’ll have to be satisfied with the titular track from the recently released 7″ EP, “In My Time”. We’re planning a special, limited edition version of the ‘Smoke Ring’ LP but need to keep the details to ourselves for the time being, but expect a formal announcement soon, along with information about Kurt’s 2011 live activity.
Aside from this coming Saturday’s solo acoustic instore, Mr. Vile only has one left on his calendar (at least for this tour).
Next Thursday November 18 @ 7:30pm Kurt is stopping in Waterloo records for a very cool, very free solo acoustic set. Check it out if you’re in Austin.
And check out Kurt’s show with his band The Violators at Emo’s later that night.
By Jeremy P. Goldstein on Thursday, November 4th, 2010
Photo courtesy of Tim Bugbee
Indeed. Philly’s own Kurt Vile and his band of merry minstrels, known as The Violators, will be taking over the airwaves at Seattle’s KEXP today at 12 Noon PDT/3PM EDT. Listen to Kurt showcase his wares, possibly including tracks from his new 7″, “In My Time”, available starting November 9. Tune in on 90.3FM or click on over to KEXP’s website to listen in real time.
The train keeps on rolling but don’t fret… this isn’t the last of the Kurt Vile instores that we’re announcing along KV’s current tour. We’ve got at least one more to announce. When? Where? You’ll have to wait and see…
Until then check out Kurt at M-Theory in San Diego next Saturday and then check him out again that night at Casbah.
In music biz parlance, you’d call this new 7″ a “teaser/single/pre-release for Kurt Vile’s forthcoming long-player produced by John Agnello hitting streets in 2011.” And although you’re likely to hear one of these tracks on Kurt’s next album, this 7″, like every other of his releases, is an item that’s worthy of its own recognition. We’re excited to announce three brand new tracks by Kurt Vile which will be available for purchase at digital retailers on October 25, and on 7″ vinyl on November 9.
You can also pick the 7″ up on Kurt Vile and the Violator’s nationwide tour, which is happening now!
Wed-Oct-20 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Thu-Oct-21 Atlanta, GA The Earl
Fri-Oct-22 Birmingham, AL The Nick
Sat-Oct-23 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
Mon-Oct-25 Toledo, OH Mickey Finn
Tue-Oct-26 Covington, OH Mad Hatters
Wed-Oct-27 Columbus, OH Skully’s
Thu-Oct-28 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig
Fri-Oct-29 Indianapolis, IN White Rabbit Cabaret
Sat-Oct-30 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Sun-Oct-31 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Mon-Nov-01 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock
Thu-Nov-04 Seattle, WA Neumos
Fri-Nov-05 Vancouver, BC Biltmore
Sat-Nov-06 Portland, OR Berbatis Pan
Tue-Nov-09 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
Thu-Nov-11 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
Sat-Nov-13 San Diego, CA Casbah
Sun-Nov-14 Tempe, AZ Trunk Space
Wed-Nov-17 San Antonio, TX The Korova
Thu-Nov-18 Austin, TX Emo’s (w/ Purling Hiss, The Young, Air Traffic Controllers)
Fri-Nov-19 Dallas, TX Club Dada
Sat-Nov-20 Little Rock, AR Whitewater Tavern
Sun-Nov-21 Memphis, TN Hi Tone
Wed-Nov-24 Washington, DC Black Cat (backstage)
Fri-Nov-26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brendas
Fri-Dec-03 Brooklyn, NY Knitting Factory (w/ Metal Mountains)
The above clip (7 months old) is mostly being employed in this instance to accompany the following Kurt Vile & The Violators tour dates. Also, I was trying to put something else up at the top of this page. Thanks for understanding .
Tue-Oct-19 Charlottesville, VA Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
Wed-Oct-20 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Thu-Oct-21 Atlanta, GA The Earl
Fri-Oct-22 Birmingham, AL The Nick
Sat-Oct-23 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
Mon-Oct-25 Toledo, OH Mickey Finn
Tue-Oct-26 Covington, OH Mad Hatters
Wed-Oct-27 Columbus, OH Skully’s
Thu-Oct-28 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig
Fri-Oct-29 Indianapolis, IN White Rabbit Cabaret
Sat-Oct-30 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Sun-Oct-31 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Mon-Nov-01 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock
Thu-Nov-04 Seattle, WA Neumos
Fri-Nov-05 Vancouver, BC Biltmore
Sat-Nov-06 Portland, OR Berbatis Pan
Tue-Nov-09 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
Thu-Nov-11 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
Sat-Nov-13 San Diego, CA Casbah
Sun-Nov-14 Tempe, AZ Trunk Space
Wed-Nov-17 San Antonio, TX The Korova
Thu-Nov-18 Austin, TX Emo’s (w/ Purling Hiss, The Young, Air Traffic Controllers)
Fri-Nov-19 Dallas, TX Club Dada
Sat-Nov-20 Little Rock, AR Whitewater Tavern
Sun-Nov-21 Memphis, TN Hi Tone
Wed-Nov-24 Washington, DC Black Cat (backstage)
Fri-Nov-26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brendas
Fri-Dec-03 Brooklyn, NY Knitting Factory
First off, if these changes have left anyone disappointed or inconvenienced, we’re truly sorry. I’ve been watching videos of the guys in the BP commercials all week trying to strike the right tone for this post, and wouldn’t you know it, MY VIDEO CAMERA IS BROKEN. Bullet dodged.
On the bright side, hey, DEAD MEADOW are playing. The opening VIP gala is still happening at 4pm Friday in the Hardwood Suite with dj sets by Ted Leo and myself. Same room becomes a VIP lounge Friday and Saturday nights, plus late night dj action on Friday (James McNew, Dean Bein) and Saturday (Dave Martin, Robby Morris). Here’s the live entertainment schedule of events. Much like real life, everything is subject to change.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1st
THE PEARL
Pavement: 12:00am – 1:00am
Sonic Youth: 10:40pm – 11:30am
Fucked Up: 9:35pm – 10:15pm
Chavez: 8:30pm – 9:10pm
Guitar Wolf: 7:30pm – 8:10pm
Doors: 7:00pm
MC : Jeff Jensen
LATE NIGHT PARTY IN PALMS BALLROOM (LIMITED CAPACITY)
Fucked Up Vs. Ted Leo and The Pharmacists: 1:30am – 2:30am
(One stage. Two bands. At once. They’re supposed to take turns, song by song…but who knows?)
Doors: 1:00am
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2nd
THE PEARL
Belle & Sebastian: 11:45pm – 1:00am
Spoon: 10:25pm – 11:15pm
Superchunk: 9:20pm – 10:00pm
Cat Power: 8:15pm – 8:55pm
Perfume Genius: 7:55pm – 8:15pm
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: 6:50pm – 7:30pm
Come: 5:45pm – 6:25pm
Girls: 4:40pm – 5:20pm
Doors 4:00pm
MC : Bob Nastanovich
MATINEE IN THE PALMS BALLROOM (LIMITED CAPACITY)
Dead Meadow: 2:30pm – 3:15pm
Harlem: 1:30pm – 2:05pm
Doors: 1:00pm
LATE NIGHT PARTY IN PALMS BALLROOM (LIMITED CAPACITY)
Cold Cave: 2:25am – 3:15am
Esben and The Witch: 1:30am – 2:00am
Doors: 1:00am
THE PEARL
Guided By Voices: 11:30pm – 1:00am
Yo La Tengo: 10:10pm – 11:05pm
Liz Phair: 9:50pm – 10:10pm
The New Pornographers: 8:40pm – 9:25pm
Ted Leo and The Pharmacists: 7:35pm – 8:15pm
Shearwater: 6:30pm – 7:10pm
Doors: 6:00pm
MC’s : Tom Scharpling & Jon Wurster
MATINEE IN THE PALMS BALLROOM
The Clean: 4:30pm – 5:15pm
Times New Viking: 3:30pm – 4:05pm
Kurt Vile: 2:30pm – 3:05pm
Doors: 2:00pm
First of all, we know you’ve been waiting patiently for the information below, and we sincerely apologize for the length of time it took to get it together. But if wanting to put together an even sicker bill than previously announced is a crime, PLEASE LOCK US UP.
1) 50 additional pairs of tickets priced at $250.00 per person (not including taxes and fees) will be available via a public lottery sometime next week. We’ll announce the details here and on the 21 site beforehand.
2) Details regarding a limited number of room upgrades will be available at that time.
3) We regret to announce that at present, our supply of VIP tickets has been exhausted. If that situation changes, we’ll let you know.
4) As rumored in a bunch of places (including this very blog), we’re very happy to confirm the following additions to The Lost Weekend Bill ; Liz Phair, Times New Viking, Esben and the Witch, Perfume Genius, The Clean, MC’s Jeff Jensen, Bob Nastanovich, Tom Scharpling & Jon Wurster, and a late Friday evening presentation by Austin’s Karaoke Underground. The rough schedule can be found below, and is very much subject to change :
Friday:
4 PM: Gala opening party, Hardwood Suite (VIP ticketholders, limited capacity)
MAIN STAGE (The Pearl):
doors open 6 PM, first band (Guitar Wolf) on at 7 PM
Pavement
Sonic Youth
Fucked Up
Chavez
Cold Cave
Guitar Wolf
MC : Jeff Jensen
2am onwards : Superchunk/Fucked Up/bands TBC, Hardwood Suite (VIP ticketholders only, capacity limited)
2am onwards : Karaoke Underground at Little Buddha (open to all ticketholders, space permitting)
Saturday:
MAIN STAGE (The Pearl):
Belle and Sebastian
Spoon
Superchunk
Cat Power
Perfume Genius
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Come
Girls
MC : Bob Nastanovich
2am : Esben and the Witch, Harlem, Key West Ballroom (open to all ticketholders, space permitting)
Sunday (MATINEE, in Key West Ballroom, open to all ticketholders, capacity limited):
The Clean
Times New Viking
Kurt Vile
Sunday evening :
MAIN STAGE (The Pearl):
Guided By Voices
Yo La Tengo
Liz Phair
The New Pornographers
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
Shearwater
MC’s : Tom Scharpling & Jon Wurster
Matador at 21: The Lost Weekend takes place at the Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from October 1-3, 2010. This event is sponsored by MySpace Music, Altamont and Incase.
(because we can never enough of photos that show Kurt tuning. pic taken from C89′s flicker page)
Following the recent release of the ‘Square Shells’ 12″ / digital EP and subsequent recording in NYC with John Agnello, Kurt Vile (accompanied by the Violators on all dates) will be hitting the road this Autumn for dates with San Diego quartet The Soft Pack. They’ll be taking turns on who’s playing last each night — headliner noted with initials following venue name on the schedule below ;
October
21 Atlanta, GA The Earl KV
22 Birmingham, AL The Nick TSP
23 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge KV
26 Cincinnati, OH Mad Hatter’s TSP
27 Columbus, OH Skully¹s KV
28 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig TSP
29 Indianapolis, IN White Rabbit KV
30 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle TSP
31 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle KV
November
01 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club TSP
04 Seattle, WA Neumos KV
05 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret TSP
06 Portland, OR Berbatis Pan KV
09 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop KV
11 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex TSP
13 San Diego, CA The Casbah TSP
Tickets for “The Lost Weekend” aka Matador’s 21st birthday celebrations at The Palms will go on sale this Friday morning at 9am, PST. Here’s the details you’ve been hassling all of us about over the last week (and don’t think we don’t appreciate it)
a) Tickets/Pricing : An initial quantity will be on sale Friday for $SOLD. .After the $SOLD tickets sell out, the price increases to $SOLD. A Ticketfly.com link will be posted on this site on Thursday, July 8th. Starting Friday, you’ll have the opportunity to reserve standard rooms at the Palms for the discounted rate of $SOLD per night (the full 3 nights of the festival, only). The rooms feature two double bed and occupancy of up to 4 persons is allowed. The above rate is only available when purchasing tickets thru us. If you are interested in upgrading to a larger room or a suite you will be able to do so after purchasing the standard room. TICKETS FOR THE 3 NIGHTS + ROOMS are being sold jointly — we’re not selling tickets to the shows separately at this time, nor are we selling tickets for individual nights.
(ADDENDUM -i) A limited number of 3-day tickets priced at $SOLD—with no Palms reservation required — will be available Friday morning at 9am PST via Ticketfly.com
ii) if, for example, you’re buying 4 tickets to the shows, the $SOLD per night hotel fee can cover up to 4 people. $SOLD over 3 nights divided by 4 is hopefully not an crazy amount to charge for rooms in a world class resort).
B) VIP tickets. A limited number of VIP packages will be available at $SOLD — details about what you’ll get for the $SOLD are forthcoming. You’ll have the ability to upgrade from the regular tickets, assuming the VIP tickets aren’t sold out.
D) MORE BANDS. OK, we’re working on it. But in addition to the 19 artists confirmed on the above poster, we can confirm the original lineup of COME — Thalia Zedek, Chris Brokaw, Sean O’Brien and Arthur Johnson — will be participating. Actually, we already know who some of the other bands are, we’re just trying to drag this out. MORE MATABLOG CONTENT between now and October!
E) Set times - we’ll post these the week before the event.
F) These shows are open to all ages. However, access to the casino floor is limited to those 21 and over.
F) WHAT ABOUT LAS VEGAS HUMANS? Las Vegas’ Zia Records is selling 50 tickets to “The Lost Weekend” starting Friday, July 9. You’ll need a Nevada I.D. Reservations at the Palms are not required to purchase these tickets.
(ADDENDUM II :
INFORMATION FOR TICKETS AVAILABLE IN LAS VEGAS
Zia Records
4225 South Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119-5485
702-735-4942
Zia Records
4503 W. SAHARA
LAS VEGAS, NV 89102
702-233-4942
Tickets will go onsale at both stores at 10:00am on Friday, July 9th via lottery. By overwhelming demand by Nevada Residents we will be increasing the amount of tickets available (50 X 2 = 100) . There is a two ticket limit. Nevada state ID required for purchase. Any questions please email 21@matadorecords.com
As mentioned previously in this space, Matador will be celebrating the label’s 21st anniversary this October and this much we can finally confirm : there will be 3 nights of shows starting Friday October 1, and concluding Sunday October 3 at the Palms Casino & Resort In Las Vegas, NV. We’ll be dropping further hints about the amazing lineup in the days ahead, but a final announcement and information about how to purchase tickets will be made here at the trusty Matablog on July 5. Are you as psyched as we are? (hopefully yes, because we’re getting in for free).
(ADDENDUM – there’s been a bit of confusion so just to clear things up, tickets DO NOT GO ON SALE JULY 5. We’ll merely be announcing the on sale date/time on July 5. thanks – GC)
Live in a fairly sizable metropolitan area, or Bloomington? If so, there’s a good chance Kurt Vile will be stopping in your town in the next few weeks with Square Shells EP atop the merch tables (it’s also available in stores). Have a great weekend!
Sat-Jun-05 Seattle, WA High Dive w/ The Sadies
Sun-Jun-06 Bellingham, WA Wild Buffalo w/ The Sadies
Mon-Jun-07 Portland, OR Doug Fir w/ The Sadies
Fri-Jun-11 San Francisco, CA Slims w/ Woods
Sat-Jun-12 Big Sur, CA Henry Miller Library / Woodsist Festival
Mon-Jun-14 Santa Barbara, CA Jensen’s w/ Woods
Tue-Jun-15 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex – Woodsist Festival
Fri-Jun-18 Brooklyn, NY Union Pool w/ The Mad Scene, Meg Baird
Fri-Jul-09 New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge w/ Real Estate
Sat-Jul-10 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell’s w/ Real Estate
Sun-Jul-11 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s w/ Real Estate
Mon-Jul-12 Baltimore, MD Ottobar w/ Real Estate
Tue-Jul-13 Pittsburgh, PA Garfield Artworks w/ Real Estate
Wed-Jul-14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern w/ Real Estate
Thu-Jul-15 Bloomington, IN The Bishop w/ Real Estate
Sat-Jul-17 Chicago, IL Pitchfork Music Festival
Mon-Jul-19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick w/ Real Estate
Tue-Jul-20 Toronto, ON The Great Hall w/ Real Estate
Wed-Jul-21 Ottawa, ON Babylon w/ Real Estate
Thu-Jul-22 Montreal, QC Il Motore w/ Real Estate
Fri-Jul-23 Boston, MA Harpers Ferry w/ Real Estate
Sat-Jul-24 New Haven, CT Lilly Pad w/ Real Estate
Tue-Aug-10 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theatre w/ Deerhunter
Fri-Aug-13 Boston, MA Royale Nightclub w/ Deerhunter
Sat-Aug14 Northampton, MA Pearl Street w/ Deerhunter
Around 2008/2009 Kurt Vile was releasing so many amazing recordings (not excluding the Matador-released barnburner, ‘Childish Prodigy’) it at times could get pretty difficult to keep up. It’s been a little quiet on the recorded music front lately; Kurt’s been touring pretty much non-stop only taking time of to put the finishing touches on his third longplayer, which we’ll be telling you about very soon.
But, today we’re excited to release the newest recorded missive from KV, his ‘Square Shells’ EP — in fact, we’re so excited for you to hear this, thatwe’re giving away a free download of the EP right now and for the next 24 hours, or so.
UPDATE: Thanks for checking in, the free download is now closed but the EP is available to purchase over at our webstore, in record shops around the world and through your favorite online retailers.
You’ve probably already heard the the track we leaked a few weeks ago, “Invisibility: Non-Existent”, but you’re gonna want to dig into this EP to hear all of it’s perfect summery strummers and psyched-out soundscapes.
By entering your email address below, you’ll get an instant download (and be on a very special Kurt Vile mailing list — we promise we won’t share, sell, or make fun of your email address)
Hey guys, can’t hurt to remind you again that tomorrow is INTERNATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY, and if heaps of RSD-exclusive vinyl and that fulfilling feeling of buying great music from great retailers isn’t enough to get you out of the house, here are two more events members of the Matador-family are involved with:
article via Record Collector Magazine
Damian Abraham of Fucked Up @ Sonic Boom Records
512 Bloor Street St. West Toronto, ON M5S 1Y3
416-532-0334 | info@sonicboommusic.com
Fucked Up‘s Pink Eyes will be hosting an all day event at Toronto’s Sonic Boom Records that features in-store performances from Sloan, Adam Green, Meligrove Band, Metz, Buck 65, Valery Gore and more. Damian’s also hinted at a special guest appearance for those who show up before 3PM!
When he’s not performing in Cold Cave and as Prurient, Dominick Fernow spends his time overseeing the Hospital Productions record label and shop, which primarily focuses in noise and black metal music. For Record Store Day, the store will debut 13 new cassette releases on the label. In addition, the first 100 people to visit the store are invited to come to the store to record their very own noise cassette. The recording gear will be set up and supplied by the store and you can record your own
1 minute noise tape. The store will personalize your cover for you and you will be the only person to have a copy. You get to keep your recording free of charge.
100 people. 1 minute tapes. Limited to 1.
Times like this I wish I never left Philly… Kurt will be stopping by Beautiful World Syndicate this Record Store Day for a free, all ages instore at 3pm. This is gonna rule.
Check it out. Buy some records. Then check it out some more.
Kurt Vile & The Violators are currently working on an autumn 2010 followup to last year’s tremendous ‘Childish Prodigy’ with producer John Agnello, and while early signs are Kurt’s got a monster of a new album in the works, let’s address the gap between albums with a new 12″/digital EP of post-’Prodigy’ recordings, ‘Square Shells’ hitting stores on May 25. We’ve made a bit of racket over the past year about Vile being one of the more important figures in American music and while we love aggressive hyperbole as much as the next record label (especially when you agree with us), 2010 is shaping up to be a year in which Kurt’s versatility as a singer-songwriter will be undeniable. It’s hard for us to think of an artist who’s been equally in his element sharing a stage with Big Star as he was doing the same with Fucked Up, and at the risk of really clobbering you over the head about our depth of feeling for this artist, we’re thoroughly convinced his songs and performances are gonna be remembered long after considerations of genre & circuit have been forgotten.
Here’s a taste in the form of “Invisibility : Nonexistent” ;
Though there’s a long list of shows about to be confirmed for mid-to-late Summer, here’s a handful we’re allowed to announce presently.
JUNE:
Sat-Jun-05 Seattle, WA – High Dive w/ the Sadies
Sun-Jun-06 Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo w/ the Sadies
Mon-Jun-07 Portland, OR – Doug Fir w/ the Sadies
Fri – Jun – 18 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool (with The Mad Scene)
Our very own Kurt Vile will be the opening act for the so-hot-right-now Panda Bear in Europe. Tickets are like gold-dust so be prepared to beg, steal or barter your soul for this.
March
10th – Cabaret Sauvage, Paris (with Panda Bear)
11th – Heaven, London (with Panda Bear)
12th – Vicar Street, Dublin (with Panda Bear)
(Kurt photo by Shawn Brackbill; Panda photo from muzikid. Photoshop skills by Annette Lee)
Photo grabbed from 
