Kurt Vile, True Widow

Tuesday, August 2, at The Loft

Comments (0) Thursday, Jul 28 2011

Philadelphia native Kurt Vile is a tough act to pin down, despite the fact that so many seem to think they have him figured out. To be fair to those quick-to-judge folks: Yes, a lot has changed for Vile in recent years. The artist, who started his mystical odyssey by recording lo-fi albums to CD-R and handling everything himself, is now signed to the mighty Matador Records label.

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The Loft

1135 S. Lamar St.
Dallas, TX 75215-1036

Category: Bars/Clubs

Region: Oak Cliff & South Dallas

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Kurt Vile

His second LP for the independent powerhouse, this year's Smoke Ring for My Halo, isn't the fuzzy lo-fi folk nor the 1970s radio rock that bloggers want to so hastily deem it. It's one of the year's best records so far, more of a combination of the aforementioned styles than anything else. Throw in some droning guitar and some skillful finger-picking and, over repeated listens, you'll continue to hear divergent styles come together in a well-blended fashion.

Adding to his enigmatic essence, Vile has faithfully employed religious imagery in lyrics and titles for both songs and albums throughout his career. Is he a devout follower? Is he raging against the church-going machine? Neither? Tough to say. Like I said: He's not an easy guy to figure out.

This much is sure, though: His live show leans to the louder end of his spectrum. So it makes sense, then, that for Vile's Dallas show, local stone-gaze trio True Widow is slated to open the proceedings.

—Kelly Dearmore