Kurt Vile & The Violators

Every so often, an artist emerges who is marked as the “savior” of a particular genre. And while these proclamations are almost always overstated, it’s easy to see why Kurt Vile has been hailed as indie rock’s greatest current champion, earning the songwriter comparisons to indie darlings like Neil Young and Sonic Youth. Acclaimed for his inventiveness, distinctive guitar style, and laid-back affability, Vile has continued to grow in both skill and popularity with each subsequent release. The Philadelphia native got his start with a series of lo-fi home recordings before co-founding the band the War on Drugs. Since then, he has largely focused on his prolific solo career, which has resulted in eight celebrated studio albums, countless EPs, and some notable collaborative efforts with artists like Courtney Barnett and John Prine. With his band the Violators, Kurt Vile is one of today’s most enigmatic and exciting rock stars.