Kurt Vile Creates EP Inspired by His Favorite Song

## Kurt Vile’s Appreciation for Luke Roberts

When you chat with Kurt Vile about today’s singer-songwriters, he’ll likely recommend you check out Luke Roberts. A fellow artist from East Nashville, Roberts has captured Vile’s attention for more than 15 years. “His songwriting, delivery, and recording are just classic,” Vile notes. “He follows the Nashville tradition, yet he stands out as his own unique weirdo.”

Vile is well-acquainted with unique talents, and he has made it his mission to introduce more listeners to Roberts’ work. This week, he’s taking a significant step by releasing a new EP centered on Roberts’ track “Classic Love,” a haunting ballad that Vile has been eager to showcase for years.

## Celebrating a Special Song

“We always knew it was something special,” Vile shares. “It’s outstanding. Enough so that I built an entire EP around it.”

### Discovering Roberts’ Music

Vile first came across Roberts’ music in 2009, thanks to a recommendation from his manager, Rennie Jaffe. Upon listening to “Unspotted Clothes,” which would later feature prominently in Roberts’ debut album, *Big Bells and Dime Songs*, Vile immediately felt a connection.

“My music often emerges from a place of sadness, but I always try to add humor or twists,” he explains. “Roberts has that knack too. He can strike a chord emotionally while also making you laugh—often in the same line.”

## A Flourishing Friendship

Communicating online soon developed into a friendship. Kyle Spence, a drummer and one of Roberts’ closest collaborators, became part of Vile’s backing band, the Violators. As Vile gained wider recognition for his music, he invited Roberts to tour with him in 2015, alongside Waxahatchee.

Reflecting on that tour, Vile recalls it as chaotic yet rewarding. “We had our one and only Number One hit, and I was grappling with new technology,” he chuckles. “It was a bit of a mess at times.” Despite the hectic atmosphere, Vile cherishes those moments, often joining Roberts onstage for a duet of “Unspotted Clothes.”

## Crafting the *Classic Love* EP

Vile first heard the song “Classic Love” while working on an unreleased album with Roberts and Spence. “I thought, ‘This could belong to our record,'” he shares. The EP features two unique versions of the song—an original recording by Roberts, enhanced with Vile’s vocals, and a “folky, trancey” rendition that Vile recorded with the Violators.

“This is my nod to Luke,” Vile states about the cover. Featuring jangly guitars and inventive drumming, the track captures a fresh energy.

### Additional Collaborations

The EP also offers another collaboration between Vile and Roberts titled “Hit of the Highlife.” This track explores a dreamy soundscape filled with guitar effects and synth loops. “It’s hypnotic, about us drawing inspiration from our hometowns,” Vile explains.

To round out the EP, Vile revisits an old favorite, “Slow Talkers ’22,” from his debut album and covers Beach House’s “Wildflower.” After attending a Beach House concert with his daughters, he decided to record the song, praising its emotional depth.

## A New Era with Verve Records

*Classic Love* marks Vile’s latest venture with Verve Records, a shift from his past decade on independent labels. Recorded in Spence’s studio in Athens and in Philadelphia, he appreciates the freedom and resources he now enjoys. “It’s a return to my roots, but with better equipment,” he remarks.

### Looking Ahead

On the road between summer shows with Pixies, Vile shares that he’s been diving into hip-hop lately, inspired by the biography of the late MF DOOM. “I love how he produced multiple albums simultaneously; it’s rekindled my creativity,” he reveals.

Upon returning to Philadelphia, Vile looks forward to completing his first full-length album since *Watch My Moves*. “I have plenty of songs ready, and I plan to turn it in soon.”

Are you excited to hear more from Kurt Vile and Luke Roberts?