JT Habersaat.
Vile recently tracked a Stones cover of “Before They Make Me Run” with my all-time biggest rock crush Jennifer Herrema (of Royal Trux/Black Bananas infamy).
“It’s been out for awhile but Jennifer and all from Black Bananas/RTX are my buddies and rule. They’re legendary,” says Vile. Like Herrema, Vile manages to stay edgy regardless of trends because he’s coming from more honest place while others hunt for coolness.
“The ultimate goal is to keep getting more successful but to stay true. Neil Young did it,” Vile believes. “He’d get slick and then really lo-fi again. The coolest thing to do would be to put out a record that does really well, then put out a tape of some ambient thing, but have it be good. Do it all. It’s not giving a f— but totally at the same time.”
I mention that O + Fest inspired a lot of art in Kingston and ask Vile about working on his last album cover with street artist Steve Powers, who created a building-side mural for the record.
“I’ve always liked graffiti and the idea of collaborating with an artist who was legit,” Kurt tells me. “Powers is from Philly. In the early days I would see beauty in urban decay. My Constant Hitmakers album, that cover of the wall to me was like a Rauschenberg piece in itself. Finding beauty in the sun setting on buildings. If you take that further and add art, it does something to someone walking around a town. They are going through struggles and look up at nice art with positive vibes and it is for the greater good.”
