Kurt Vile will release Back to Moon Beach on November 17 via Verve. He calls it an EP, but Kurt is putting the “extended” in “Extended Play,” as this record is nearly an hour long and is an odds-and-ends collection of new songs, covers (Wilco, Mitch Miller), reworked older songs and more. It also features Violators member Rob Laakso, who died earlier this year. There are a few different formats, from a six-song vinyl EP to a nine-track CD/digital version, and a 10-track direct-to-consumer double vinyl set (preorder). You can check out the tracklist and artwork below.
The single from Back to Moon Beach is “Another good year for the roses” which was co-produced by Cate LeBon and features drummer Stella Mozgawa, Chris Cohen and Laakso. The song references the classic country song “A Good Year for the Roses,” written by Jerry Chesnutt and made iconic by George Jones. “Everybody knows that was the greatest country song,” sings Kurt, “sung by a man possessed by the devil.” This is a good one and the video, directed by KV + Drew Saracco, co-stars actors Michael Shannon, Kevin Corrigan and David Wike, who are all in NYC band Big Daddy in the Sky that Kurt has played in a few times. The video starts in the woods and ends in East Village bar Otto’s Shrunken Head. Watch that below.
Here’s Kurt to tell you more about the song and EP : “Hi! Here’s the opening track from my upcoming ep… ok, it’s longer than an ep… now I call it a KV comp. The first 6 tracks — which are the ones that fit on a single LP — are new to the world, with one foot in the not-too-distant past and the other with one tiny toe pointing toward the future. Together my feet are like a couple spanning time together. This song was started at Stinson Beach, CA in September 2019 for a few days of recording with Rob Laakso, Stella Mozgawa, Chris Cohen, Cate Le Bon (and Adam Langellotti floating as a fly on the wall as well). Adam and I being the two overseers across this entire endeavor: we finished it on our own (and with some friends along the way). We ended up demonically overdubbing for weeks straight at OKV Central, Philly (my studio)… this was all of May 2023… so many magic moments.”
Kurt has also announced a 2024 tour surrounding his appearance at Big Ears festival. There’s no NYC date at the moment but you can check out his schedule below.
BACK TO MOON BEACH DIGITAL/STREAMING/CD TRACKLIST
1. Another good year for the roses (5:34)
2. Touched somethin (caught a virus) (6:31)
3. Back to Moon Beach (8:15)
4. Like a wounded bird trying to fly (5:29)
5. Blues come for some (5:09)
6. Tom Petty’s gone (but tell him i asked for him) (8:15)
7. Must Be Santa (5:12)
8. Passenger side (3:10)
9. Cool Water (Single Mix) (4:29)
BACK TO MOON BEACH VINYL (STANDARD) TRACKLIST
SIDE A
1. Another good year for the roses (5:34)
2. Touched somethin (caught a virus) (6:31)
3. Back to Moon Beach (8:15)
SIDE B
1. Like a wounded bird trying to fly (5:29)
2. Blues come for some (5:09)
3. Tom Petty’s gone (but tell him i asked for him) (8:15)
BACK TO MOON BEACH VINYL (DELUXE D2C-ONLY) TRACKLIST
SIDE A
1. Another good year for the roses (5:34)
2. Touched somethin (caught a virus) (6:31)
3. Back to Moon Beach (8:15)
SIDE B
1. Like a wounded bird trying to fly (5:29)
2. Blues come for some (5:09)
3. Tom Petty’s gone (but tell him i asked for him) (8:15)
SIDE C
1. Must Be Santa (5:12)
2. Passenger side (3:10)
SIDE D
1. Cool Water (Single Mix) (4:29)
2. Constant Repeat (5:22)
KURT VILE – 2023/2024 TOUR DATES
Sat. Nov. 18 – Allentown, PA @ Miller Symphony Hall
Sun. March 17 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar +
Mon. March 18 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall +
Tue. March 19 – Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall + &
Thu. March 21 – Sun. March 24 – Knoxville, TN @ Big Ears Festival
Fri. March 22 – Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall +
Sat. March 23 – Little Rock, AR @ The Hall +
Sun. March 24 – Oxford, MS @ The Lyric Oxford +
Tue. March 26 – New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s +
Wed. March 27 – Birmingham, AL @ Iron City +
Thu. March 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse +
Fri. March 29 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club +
+ w/ Weak Signal
+ & w/ King Kong and Weak Signal