Mar
07

Douglas Martin’s Dirty Shoes: A Smoke Ring for Kurt Vile’s Halo

Charlie Sheen may have ruined it, but Douglas Martin pioneered winning. As the protagonist of his own songs, Kurt Vile has a reputation for being kind of a tough guy. A misanthrope. A brilliant kiss-off artist who doesn’t suffer fools. And though he confesses, “I get sick of just about everyone,” it’s what happens next… Continue reading »

Sep
01

Douglas Martin’s Dirty Shoes: I Know Kurt Vile Got Religion

Douglas Martin is committed to his Latvian Orthodox faith.  Kurt Vile is generally known for two things: big, sweeping classic-rock stompers or quiet acoustic numbers peppered with chintzy synthesizers and drum machines. Maybe I’m in the minority, but my favorite Kurt Vile tunes are the ones that show his prowess as an old-school folk-troubadour, the… Continue reading »