Kurt Vile | photo courtesy of the artist
Kurt Vile just wants to park in the “Loading Zones” video
One might expect a song called “Loading Zones” from such a musician like Kurt Vile would reflect on his extensive touring with The War On Drugs, Courtney Barnett, or with the Violators, loading in and out for shows almost constantly since 2005. Instead, the track is a nostalgic and familiar contemplation of the everyday loading zone, Vile singing of avoiding paying parking by using the loading zones in his hometown streets. “Get my shopping done, laundry too, drop some dead weight, clean my hands of what I need to clean my hands of.” The structure of the song follows suit, never faltering in its churning groove.
Vile is both very driven and as stylishly carefree as ever in this track. The lyrics are a celebration of the quotidian rebellion and the swagger of saving a buck or two. In the music video accompanying the track, Vile drives around, hoodwinking a couple of parking cops desperately trying to give him a ticket. It’s also a homage to Philadelphia, Vile cruising throughout his neighborhood and accomplishing minor errands, such as stopping to pick up a single shirt from the laundry, donning the piece as he jumps into his shiny red Pontiac. As the track comes to a close, a talk-box drone enters to accompany Vile’s sleepy soloing, played over scenes of Vile and his ride in Philly settings. “I park for free!” echoes in the background, as self-satisfactory as it is anti-establishmentarian.
Currently there has been no news as to whether an album announcement will follow the track. Kurt Vile is touring thorugh Europe this Fall, then making a few stops along the East Coast later in the year. Dates can be found below, along with the “Loading Zones” video, and more info here.
Tour Dates
11/24 – Boston, MA – House of Blues *
11/28 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel *
11/30 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club *
12/3 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse *
12/5 – Oklahoma City, OK – Jones Assembly *
12/6 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater *
12/7 – Dallas, TX – Canton Hall *
12/9 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park *
12/11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern *
12/12 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre *
12/14 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom *
12/15 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre *
12/16 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom *
12/19 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue *
12/20 – Madison, WI – Sylvee *
12/21 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall *
12/22 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre *
4/18-20 – Tyagarah, Australia – Byron Bay Bluesfest
* w/ Jessica Pratt