PHOTO BY SARAH McKAY

Actually the much-loved indie label — current home to Cat Power, Yo La Tengo, New Pornographers, etc. — didn't just sign Philly's own Kurt Vile. They gave him a "worldwide, multi-album pact." And publicly declared their love for him:

...we’re REALLY pleased to announce — perhaps more than ever before in label history — an addition to the label roster we currently consider to be one of the more important figures in American music circa 2009.

Vile’s first Matador release, Childish Prodigy comes out this fall.

See also:

• Kurt Vile on myspace.
• The Testostertunes blog (some KV news).
• Kurt Vile's appearance on Jon Solomon's radio show on WPRB.

Matador signs Kurt Vile