It’s been teased for a while, but the first song off of the Kurt Vile/Courtney Barnett collaborative tape is here. The debut single, “Over Everything” shows the two artists performing in a series of black-and-white landscapes. They are shown everywhere from rocky shores to urban bridges, even car dealerships and suburban homes.
The video coming only one day after Lotta Sea Lice was officially announced shows that the duo means business. According to press release, “Over Everything” was the first song the two wrote together, and the lyrics reflect that. The two trade verses which muse on their songwriting process, and how it is therapeutic to them. “When I’m all alone on my own by my lonesome, And there ain’t a single ‘nother soul around, I wanna dig into my guitar, Bend a blues riff that hangs over everything,” Vile sings.
Fans can expect the rest of the album to include more of the chemistry which drips off of this track. The overall vibe of the album is described as “Barnett and Vile throwing open the doors to their house to listeners – it’s their party, but everyone is invited”. There will even be covers of each of their songs, played by the other member. In particular, Kurt Vile will be playing an amped up edition of Courtney Barnett’s “Outta the Woodwork”, and Barnett will be covering Vile’s “Peepin’ Tomboy.”
Lotta Sea Lice will be will be available on October 13th, and can be preordered here. Barnett and Vile will also be touring North America this fall. Their live band, The Sea Lice, is a revolving cast of musicians including Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag), Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint), Rob Laakso (The Violators, The Swirlies, Mice Parade) and Katie Harkin (Harkin, Sky Larkin and touring member of Sleater-Kinney and Wild Beasts).
Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna