Kurt Vile Signs Co-Publishing Deal With Third Side Music
The agreement grants the publisher representation of Vile's complete solo and band catalog moving forward.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Music — General
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Musician Kurt Vile has entered a new co-publishing agreement with Third Side Music, expanding their partnership to cover his entire solo and band catalog. This deal also includes all of Vile's future musical works, beginning with his May 2026 release.
Why it matters
The deal represents a significant expansion of the professional relationship between the artist and the publisher, which has grown since Third Side Music first began administering parts of Vile's catalog over a decade ago.
Vile's 2015 studio album B'lieve I'm Goin Down reached a peak position of No. 40 on the Billboard 200 chart. This builds on a history of industry recognition including a No. 10 placement on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.
The players
Kurt Vile
An American singer-songwriter and musician known for his work as a solo artist and as a former member of the indie rock band The War on Drugs.
Third Side Music
An independent music publishing company that represents songwriters and manages a diverse catalog of musical works.
Verve Records
A prominent American record label currently owned by Universal Music Group that holds Vile's recording contract.
The details
The new arrangement encompasses both solo material and songs recorded with Kurt Vile and the Violators. It specifically includes all future works following the release of his May 2026 album, Philadelphia's Been Good to Me.
Timeline
2015: Third Side Music began administering a portion of Vile's music catalog.
2021: Kurt Vile signed a recording contract with Verve Records.
May 2026: Vile released the album Philadelphia's Been Good to Me.
July 2026: Third Side Music launched the Animal Talk Publishing joint venture.
October 2026: The company announced the new comprehensive co-publishing agreement.
Industry Dynamics
This agreement follows the pattern of consolidation and expansion established by the publisher earlier in the year with the formation of the Animal Talk Publishing joint venture. It reflects a broader trend of publishers seeking deeper control over artists' catalogs to manage long-term revenue.
The transition to a comprehensive co-publishing model generally ensures greater consistency in how the artist's music is licensed for films, television, and other media. Fans should expect no change in the availability of Vile's current discography across streaming platforms.
The takeaway
Securing long-term co-publishing deals allows artists to maintain more unified management over their creative legacy. For listeners, these administrative shifts often facilitate wider distribution and licensing of an artist's catalog in future media projects.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest industry trends in the Music — General section.
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