Tweedy interview on Q TV

[Magnetized]

Here's a real gem just posted on youtube--apparently uploaded a day or two ago by a Canadian Boadcasting Company arts channel. I'm not sure when it was conducted, but sometime after the release of W(TA).

 

 

Can't say I care too much for the interviewer, Jian Ghomeshi, but it's great to hear Jeff speaking so articulately on a broad range of topics. He makes some very interesting observations about the band's history and reputation, the "death" of the album (vs. individual songs), his inspirations, etc. There's a little awkwardness when the interviewer brings up Jay Bennett and the impact of creative tension on the band; Jeff is obviously not really comfortable discussing him directly. See what you think.

 

I'm struck by Jeff's combination of elusiveness, candor and lack of bullshit. You never see him pander.

[WilcoFan]

Very cool! Thanks for the link.

[barbkm]

Great interview! Thanks. Yeah, that interviewer was not my fav.

[radiatortunes]

Thanks very much for posting this. Jeff's response to the "Neil" question, which was sort of a stupid question, was brilliant.

 

(The interview aired on CBC Radio One on Oct 21 last year. It must have been taped the week before when the band played Massey Hall.)

[tongue-tied]

i particularly like Jeff's facial expression after being called a dutiful chicago boy.

[uncle tupelo]

i particularly like Jeff's facial expression after being called a dutiful chicago boy.

 

that's what they call a dutiful st. louis boy expression.

[HeatherM]

Thanks for posting. One of the reasons I love Wilco is because Jeff is just so friggin' smart and thoughtful. He handled the Jay Bennett question really well. I also like what he had to say about the 'tortured artist' myth/idea. I don't think you need to be miserable to create good art, but I think it can help to be sensitive, maybe have a bit less emotional or psychic insulation than some people.

[Sweet Papa Crimbo]

Here's a real gem just posted on youtube--apparently uploaded a day or two ago by a Canadian Boadcasting Company arts channel. I'm not sure when it was conducted, but sometime after the release of W(TA).

 

 

Can't say I care too much for the interviewer, Jian Ghomeshi, but it's great to hear Jeff speaking so articulately on a broad range of topics. He makes some very interesting observations about the band's history and reputation, the "death" of the album (vs. individual songs), his inspirations, etc. There's a little awkwardness when the interviewer brings up Jay Bennett and the impact of creative tension on the band; Jeff is obviously not really comfortable discussing him directly. See what you think.

 

I'm struck by Jeff's combination of elusiveness, candor and lack of bullshit. You never see him pander.

 

Is this the interviewer who was involved in the Billy Bob Thornton meltdown?

[cooperissup3r]

what's with radio DJs who are so overly wordy?

[H.Stone]

Yes! That's what I thought of when I saw him, too.

[Magnetized]

Is this the interviewer who was involved in the Billy Bob Thornton meltdown?

 

Wow, I had heard about the Billy Bob debacle but had no idea it was this guy. But yes, it was. It's not worth posting a link to that whole hot mess, but just try googling billy bob thornton jian ghomeshi and you'll come up with the unedited interview. Talk about awkward! I really had no idea Billy Bob Thornton was such a dick. Even if he had some reason to be annoyed with the interviewer--and frankly, I can't see why in this case--there's no excuse for acting like such a petulant baby and humiliating your band members.

 

Just as an aside, anybody ever heard the Bright Eyes album Fevers and Mirrors? There's a cut called "An Attempt to Tip the Scales" that has a weird interlude--supposedly Conor Oberst being interviewed by a fatuous DJ who's kind of too cool for school--and when I first heard this guy Ghomeshi's voice in the Tweedy interview, I immediately flashed back to that cut. (It was not a real interview on the Bright Eyes album, by the way--more in the realm of a trippy performance piece.)

 

So anyway, enough of dumping on Ghomeshi and Thornton. I think we can all agree that Jeff Tweedy is THE MAN!

[Moss]

What a great interview, thanks for posting. I could listen to another 3 hours of that. I thought the interviewer asked some great questions. The stuff about great art occurring sometimes in spite of melancholy instead of as a result of melancholy was an interesting take on it as you so often hear the latter. Very cool.

[Chinese Apple]

Conducting a good interview is tricky work. I am watching this and not getting why people have a problem with this interviewer. His broadcast is for a general Canadian audience that probably doesn't know anything about Wilco or Tweedy, so I think he covered a lot of ground in a short time without being esoteric or pedantic.

 

I much preferred this interviewer to the one from the CBS Sunday Morning piece. She was so gushy. But again, she was probably a good fit for her audience.

 

Thanks for posting this. It is always great to hear JT wax philosophic. More please!

 

I wonder who JT would consider his favorite interviewer. If he could choose to be interviewed by anyone, who would it be? I would love to see him on Zach Whats-his-name in Between Two Ferns. Or on Oprah before she retires but that's too weird to admit to anyone in my real life. (ok to confess cybernetically to strangers though.)

[Magnetized]

Conducting a good interview is tricky work. I am watching this and not getting why people have a problem with this interviewer. His broadcast is for a general Canadian audience that probably doesn't know anything about Wilco or Tweedy, so I think he covered a lot of ground in a short time without being esoteric or pedantic.

 

Good point. We may be being too harsh, given that this was for a general audience and the interviewer would have to do some degree of summing up for the sake of context. I think it's the tone of his voice, actually, more than anything he said, that kinda grated on me: that very deep, polished radio voice with the odd pauses. That, and the weird comment about Wilco (The Song) sounding like rap?? Huh?? Again, though, it gave Jeff the opportunity to be magnanimous in his response, to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.

 

 

More please!

 

Yes! There must be a ton more audio/video interviews out there--I just spotted this one at random. Please, other VCers, post 'em if you find 'em. I love to hear him talk--just reinforces why it is perfectly rational to admire him so much.

 

I wonder who JT would consider his favorite interviewer. If he could choose to be interviewed by anyone, who would it be? I would love to see him on Zach Whats-his-name in Between Two Ferns. Or on Oprah before she retires but that's too weird to admit to anyone in my real life. (ok to confess cybernetically to strangers though.)

 

I vote for Terry Gross of Fresh Air or Charlie Rose. But Zach Galifianakis would be awesome too!

[smells like flowers]

I vote for Terry Gross of Fresh Air or Charlie Rose. But Zach Galifianakis would be awesome too!

 

I vote for Terry Gross too! She seems to really love interviewing rock stars. Her interviews with Bruce Springsteen and Gene Simmons are both memorable.

[Beltmann]

Should have kept the Brewers cap...

[barbkm]

 

Or on Oprah before she retires but that's too weird to admit to anyone in my real life. (ok to confess cybernetically to strangers though.)

 

 

Would there be couch jumping? Hey, both Chicago folks, it's possible.

 

I wonder if JT is sick of all the "melancholy" stuff. All these assumptions that he's a shriveling mess. Does he just wanna say," I gotta great job, great family... I'm ok... really... you don't have to worry. I'm good."

[MattZ]

Thanks for posting. Very cool.

I agree that the interviewer was pretty good all things considered. Would it have been better with me interviewing? Of course. Have I seen worse? Much worse.

[Wilco Worshipper]

Thanks for posting! Definitely need to re-watch it at some point!

 

"Too lazy or too stoned..."

[porkdog324]

I thought the interview was great, Jian is really a good radio guy, I like his style. He was also in a band called Moxy Früvous in the 90's

[TCP]

what's with radio DJs who are so overly wordy?

He works for the CBC, that's his job.

[AJ673]

Look up Jian and Billy Bob Thorton - don't know what was said but dear old Billy Bob just walked out!

[blindgonzo]

I've always been a fan of Jian. Generally I enjoy all of his interviews.

[Analogman]

There is also an interview he did with Alex and Geddy up on Youtube.

[Magnetized]

There is also an interview he did with Alex and Geddy up on Youtube.

I've tried searching with every combination I can think of but don't come up with anything. Could you share the link or what search words you used? Thanks.