Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy sits down with acclaimed author George Saunders to go deep on their process. In this expansive interview, Tweedy and Saunders cover everything from the death of loved ones, Tweedy’s new memoir and transitioning from songwriting to prose. Tweedy also does a live performance of his song “Bombs Above.”
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Jeff Tweedy and George Saunders Have an Epic Conversation | GQ
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It's so funny that both sides of the political field say the same exact thing about one another. I agree with Jeff when he said, and I'm paraphrasing, that both sides have a lot more in common than they expect.
"Epic", to be sure. I Loved it. Many thanks GQ
I love how open he was about that first song he played. All suffering is equal. I think right now in 2020 I needed to hear that. It's hard to watch people dealing with COVID and being mentally beaten down but telling yourself "Past generations had it worse" "Other people in the world have it worse." They had it worse, but that doesn't mean you don't get to feel bad too. That's so liberating.
Long live Tweedy
I’m a musician myself. There are other people I admire, big personalities like a Nick Cave or a Tom Waits. But what I’ve realised with time is that I could never be that kind of person (kind of obvious), nor would I want to. I want to be someone like Jeff Tweedy. A musician’s musician. It’s a high bar, but it’s at least one that I feel like I want to aim for. Chuck Klosterman once referred to Jeff as “probably the least pretentious semi-genius I’ve ever interviewed”, and I think that’s spot on (though the “semi” could be debated).
Any chance we are getting one of these in 2020? The last two George Saunders Epic Conversations have been incredible.
"Weaponized Victimhood" I finally have words for what I've been feeling is wrong with people right now. Couple that with the lie we all tell ourselves "I pulled myself up by my bootstraps!" and hey presto you've convinced yourself someone who is suffering, is getting a free ride by getting food and a safe place to sleep.
Fantastic interview…it is great for an artist to paint a picture to their own creative process. Tweedy is is very profound individual and George does such a good job at listening and asking purposeful and relevant questions. Thank you for sharing.
This is a very enjoyable and interesting interview, but epic? Come on! Lose the hyperbole!
Thanks for posting . Enjoyed it a lot 🙂
George Saunders should do an interview with Phil Elverum.
You can talk about acoustic guitars having character that is measurable. But when people talk about electric guitars having character, I think most of it is in their minds.
I didn't know that he had a book that came out! I just downloaded it on Audible. Sweet!
Great interview, great book, great album. Thanks Jeff.
if John Lennon was alive, I think they could have met and done something together.
If I’m ever in a modestly successful band, I want a creative loft like Wilco’s.
Tweedy4prez
Jeff needs some fingerless gloves and a couple cigar butts sticking our of his breast pocket
I love this–also loved the conversation with Saunders and Isbell. Please do more of these. I would pay for this content.
Was hoping he would speak a little about his relationship with Jay Bennett.
You know
Really a fantastic interview
What time he said ….this ..life if decay.
-you will always be alone.
-you are expandable _
https://youtu.be/bUfLHJg-CY0
This is great. Very helpful. Thanks
I love listening to Tweedy talk 🙂
Can't they afford heat at the WIlco Loft?
First wilco album was great, how bout shaving and take off the filthy old jacket, your a millionaire, he reeks of effort now.
Is Jeff Tweedy morphing into Badly Drawn Boy?
Anybody know the brand of the jacket Jeff is wearing?
that was indeed epic.
this is like the TOTAL NOVICE telling the guru how to levitate. Saunders–a god among men. Tweedy? come on, man.
nice Canadian tuxedo, Georgie. love you nevertheless.
Love Wilco and George Saunders. Amazing cross over
good stuff….but jesus, he looks like on his way to the soup kitchen…..jus sayin
When the aliens come and discover the earth and rummage through the rubble that will be left of human civilization, hopefully they will find some Wilco albums and realize that at least some of us were worth saving
What a thoughtful, inspirational artist. Respect.
This is amazing! I love Wilco's song writing so much!
What he says about what Americans have in common is something almost no one understands. Look at polls on basically every major substantive issue. There's broad agreement. (And our government is not at all representative of what people actually want.)
Clash of the giants. Loved every minute of it: thanks for posting!
George's jean outfit is epic
"Music sounds different when have the wrong companion" is so beautifully stated and completely true.
Great conversation.
I just filmed a video of my dog eating a plastic woodblock. Yesterday I found my missing cat dehydrated and scared trapped in a bass drum she overturned while I was away. Music. Our narrative.