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Posted on Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.

Kurt Vile making first-ever stop in Ann Arbor at the Blind Pig tonight

By Kaleb Roedel

Kurt Vile wanted out of his brewery job in Philadelphia.

Kurt-Vile.jpg

Kurt Vile plays the Blind Pig tonight.

Vile, a Philly native who played lead guitar for The War on Drugs at the time, was plotting a solo career. So, time away from the suds-work was spent spinning the necessary plates to put the solo wheels in motion.

In fact, “I would go on the computer on lunch breaks,” said Vile, 30. “I was just trying to … there are so many sides of music — writing, booking shows …”

Eventually, before he could quit, Vile was canned from the brewery. The Philadelphian could now turn his full attention towards music — finally.

“I had been getting show offers. Once I got fired, I just took all the show offers in Philly,” said Vile, adding, “and I knew once I put a record together I’d be on tour.”

With three full-length albums — a forthcoming fourth coming early next year, teased by a limited 7" out November 9 — and two EPs to show for since that fateful firing, Vile, 31, is making his first-ever stop in Ann Arbor tonight at the Blind Pig. Vile will be joined by his backing band The Violators, which includes Jesse Turbo (guitar, slide), Mike Zeng (percussion) and Adam Granduciel (guitar, bass). Listen to Kurt Vile "In My Time" (MP3).

“I’m excited that it’s somewhere different than Detroit,” said Vile, who played at The Magic Stick this past July. “I heard it’s (the Blind Pig) really nice. I’m stoked.”

The psych-folk, roots rocker Vile and The Violators will bring a mix of grunge-fueled reverb, wiry guitar solos, and percussion-paced finger-picking — many cuts intricate, open tuned and downright hypnotic — that spill a full heartland sound (think Neil Young’s Ditch Trilogy). Almost playing backup is Vile’s drone, which lifts and drops and echoes with life.

And Vile and his bandmates have a diverse song-stack to pluck from, the latest numbers coming off of “Childish Prodigy,” which was released in 2009 (Matador Records). Standouts include “Hunchback” (the album’s heavy opener, highlighted by a saxophone solo) and “Blackberry Song” (an acoustic ballad recalling the British Invasion-era).

Kurt Vile performing “Blackberry Song” live in Toledo earlier this week:

“We play a lot of the “Childish Prodigy” stuff, but we definitely tend to rock out the older tunes,” said Vile, who had an especially active 2009.

Earlier in the year, prior to Prodigy, Vile’s second effort “God Is Saying This To You” (Mexican Summer) was released. On top of that, his first LP “Constant Hitmaker” — released in 2008 under Gulcher Records — was reissued in 2009 by Woodsist Records.

And then there’s the yet-to-be-named fourth album projected to be released in early 2011.

“A lot of recording, a lot of music going on,” said Vile, who admitted, “We didn’t have time to practice much beforehand (the fourth album). (Recording) starts out a little raw, but that’s a good thing.”

Needless to say, Vile churns out albums at a Ryan Adams-esque pace and has a variety of labels supporting his prolific catalogue.

Attendees at the Blind Pig tonight will see why.

“I was working (on music) with a full intent to make it,” said Vile. “I realized how it works if you want to get on a label like Matador. Don’t think too much about where it’s going. Don’t wait around for anybody.”

The Soft Pack WSG Kurt Vile & the Violators and Purling Hiss: Thursday, October 28 at the Blind Pig, 208 South First Street. $12. 18+. Doors 9 p.m. 734-996-8555.

Kaleb Roedel is a sports writer for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734)623-2562 and e-mailed at kalebroedel@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kaleb_R.