JT interview in AZ Central

[Magnetized]

Here's a decent interview in advance of the Tempe, AZ show. Maybe the first time I've read Jeff explicitly talking about the "you won't set the kids on fire" lyric--he means it literally!

 

http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2012/01/13/20120113wilco-jeff-tweedy-interview-whole-love.html

 

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," a well-deserved yet unexpected breakthrough based, in part, on Wilco being dropped because the label said they'd gotten too experimental for their own good.

 

You can't buy that kind of buzz.

 

Four albums later, they're touring "The Whole Love," a brilliant new effort that finds them still pushing the musical envelope without turning their back on the pop sensibilities that make it hard to understand how any major-label suit could fail to be convinced of their timeless appeal.

 

Their sound is rock and roll the way the Beatles' sound was rock and roll -- a definition elastic enough to take in the Neil Young-gone-Krautrock approach of the new album's opening track, "Art of Almost," and the upbeat Motown accents and infectious '60s organ of "I Might."

 

We caught up with singer-guitarist Jeff Tweedy, who shared his thoughts on "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," "The Whole Love" and that line about setting the kids on fire in "I Might."

 

Question: Is it frustrating for you when people try to sum your albums up in seven words or less? "This is Wilco's avant-pop experimental album." "This is Wilco getting back to basics." "This is Wilco's soft-rock album."

Answer: Yeah. I mean, all of the critical stuff that people say about a record is to be taken with a grain of salt, both good and bad (laughs). Records are collections of songs where we're trying to make each one as awesome as we can and then trying to figure out a way to put them all together that makes sense. But I don't know. You can't expect people to put as much thought into it as we have.

Q: In the song "I Might," when you sing, "You won't set the kids on fire, but I might," I've seen people suggest that you're singing about your music and the odds of it exciting younger listeners.

A: No. I was thinking about literally setting children on fire. It's not necessarily autobiographical. But that's what I was thinking about, the possibilities we face and whether or not we take our freedom and act responsibly with that.

To me, that song is just about liberation and freedom -- freedom to be meaningless and freedom to be nonsensical -- and that lyric just felt bold and nonsensical and extreme. But I would never sing about wanting to set the kids on fire figuratively, as though it's my idea that I could be a sensation at this point in my life with children (laughs).

Q: What role do you think having a stable lineup has had on the creative process, the fact that this is your third album with these particular guys?

A: I just think it's exciting. A lot of the changes from record to record on the other Wilco albums, I think we did an amazing job with the fact that we were kind of a different entity each time. We took that and used it to our advantage in making each record its own thing.

Having had a band together for a while now, I don't think there's any comparison. I much prefer having had this opportunity to explore deeper and deeper into what we're capable of and getting better, in my opinion, at having a real group identity.

Q: But you've preserved that quality where each new record does sound different from the one before even with the same musicians.

A: Yeah, I think it just doesn't hit people over the head as much because we're 15 or 17 years into it. I don't know how long. But we have a certain vocabulary that I don't feel compelled to change.

Q: I read somewhere that you wrote 60 songs going into this album.

A: There was a really good period -- and I'm still kind of in it, to be honest -- in terms of just making a lot of stuff up. I wouldn't say that there were 60 complete songs, but I definitely went in with more song ideas and things that I could see being turned into a song than I have probably since "Being There."

Q: So when you're narrowing it down, do you choose songs more for the way they sound together in the context of the album or do you go for the songs you think are best?

A: I trust the process. I trust my subconscious. And at the end of the day, if something doesn't connect with everybody else in the band, we're gonna move on pretty quickly. So I guess the answer is that I don't try and stress too much about that. Certainly, the songs that I'm most satisfied with when I finish writing them are the ones that are in the front of my mind when I'm in the studio.

Q: I read that "Capitol City," one of the songs on the new album, is something you'd written around the time of 1996's "Being There?"A: Yeah, that's definitely as old as "Being There." It might even be a little bit older than that. I can't remember exactly. All I know is that the first versions I have of it are on cassette (laughs).

Q: So what brought you back to that?

A: I don't know. (Wilco drummer) Glenn (Kotche) has a siren that he's been bringing to sessions for almost a decade thinking that he's gonna get it on a record, and he finally got it on a record. And I have this song called "Capitol City" that I've been bringing to sessions for 14 years thinking I'm going to get it on a record, and I finally did. I honestly think I've played it for everybody every time we've made a record. And this is the first time people have indulged me long enough to finish it (laughs).

Q: I love that song. It kind of reminds of the kind of thing the Kinks were doing at one point.

A: It's really divisive. It seems like some people really hate that song, and I don't understand what could make people hate something like that. I could see someone saying, "Ehh, I don't like it." But hate it? Really? You know, we did put 15 minutes of noise on an album one time. That, you're OK with. But a nice little jaunty music hall number is where you draw the line, huh? All right (laughs).

Q: This year is the 10-year anniversary of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." I was wondering what you think now, looking back on the struggle with the label and the commercial breakthrough after you guys streamed the album and were held up as champions in this battle for artistic freedom.

A: Um ... (long pause). Well (laughs), I guess I'm struck by how little I do look back at something like that. I think a lot was made out of it that wasn't really the point.

To me, the point was we were really only doing what I thought everybody would do. It didn't feel like a big courageous battle. It felt more practical and pragmatic than that. We'd never made any money from records so why should we be that concerned with something like streaming a record? And they were making a decision totally in keeping with their mission statement.

Record companies are businesses, and they didn't think there was enough money to be made. I don't even think at the time I really begrudged them that much. I was more hurt, initially, that they didn't think my music was awesome (laughs).

Q: It's bizarre to me that anyone would hear that album as difficult.

A: That was my reaction at the time, and it still is. To me, it sounds like a pop record, and that's all it ever was. I never did hear, and I still don't hear, what was that challenging or experimental about it. That's stuff that's been a part of rock music and pop music for a long time in my opinion -- dissonance or a certain amount of static and noise. I thought it communicated very clearly.

Q: And it's stuff that had been creeping into Wilco's sound since "Being There" at least.

A: Exactly. If I listen to it now, the only thing that I would have accepted as legitimate criticism is I think we should have found a new singer (laughs).

 

[choo-choo-charlie]

Which is exactly what I've been saying since I first heard it -- that he's literally talking about setting fire to children.

[Shug]

I love this quote, hilarious!

 

Re: Capitol City A: It's really divisive. It seems like some people really hate that song, and I don't understand what could make people hate something like that. I could see someone saying, "Ehh, I don't like it." But hate it? Really? You know, we did put 15 minutes of noise on an album one time. That, you're OK with. But a nice little jaunty music hall number is where you draw the line, huh? All right (laughs).

[choo-choo-charlie]

I love this quote, hilarious!

 

Re: Capitol City A: It's really divisive. It seems like some people really hate that song, and I don't understand what could make people hate something like that. I could see someone saying, "Ehh, I don't like it." But hate it? Really? You know, we did put 15 minutes of noise on an album one time. That, you're OK with. But a nice little jaunty music hall number is where you draw the line, huh? All right (laughs).

 

 

He made the same reference when people were groaning about the Feist duet on "You and I."

[Queen Amaranthine]

LOL at the reply about kids on fire lyric! 1st and last sentences there, particularly.

 

I like Capitol City a lot. It fits well in TWL, and I can't picture it blending into any past albums. The timing was right for it, after all those years.

[Shug]

He made the same reference when people were groaning about the Feist duet on "You and I."

 

He must read this board, how else would he know in such detail about the things Wilco fans complain about?

[Magnetized]

My bet is that he looks at this board once in a while, but nowhere near as much as some of us (yes, I'm looking in the mirror) do. He's even said as much in some interviews--that recent one with Jian Ghomeshi, the Canadian guy,comes to mind. He said something about getting all wrapped up in what people think of him and Wilco, especially when there's a new album.

 

Speaking of what he thinks about what we think of him, have y'all seen this, from Chicago AV Club? It's an oldie but one of my favorites--Jeff was in an especially playful/cranky mood.

What Wilco's Jeff Tweedy thinks about what you think about him

October 14, 2009

Wilco has always been a nurturing band when it comes to embracing their fans: The Chicago outfit has streamed every album online since 2002’s game-changing masterpiece Yankee Hotel Foxtrot well before its release date, and the group supports the bootlegging and MP3-trading of its concerts. But the feeling hasn’t exactly been mutual: Online, fans have been vocal about their concern over Wilco's wandering muse. Over the course of the decade, the band has veered away from its pop and country roots toward experimentation, pop-folk, and, finally, almost goofy directness on this year’s Wilco (The Album). Rather than discussing the band’s newest album and direction, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy wanted to talk about people’s “willingness to share opinions before they’re even formed,” so before the band's show Sunday and Monday at the UIC Pavilion, The A.V. Club scoured the Internet for some notable anonymous comments to discuss.

 

Post: “But right now, I’d like to get this out of the way: Jeff Tweedy’s hair looks ridiculous [on The Tonight Show]. I don’t know if it’s thinning, or if he’s teasing it, or both, but it really needs to stop. And as a person who years ago may or may not have purchased a pair of shoes because he saw Tweedy wearing them, I only bring this up because I care.”

Jeff Tweedy: I agree 100 percent. I have no idea what to do with my hair. I wish I did. If this person really cared, they would have contacted me in a forum other than a national magazine to maybe suggest some product, but I don’t think that person really cares. I think they’re just being funny, and I agree. I wish I had an idea.

The A.V. Club: Well, you can turn to the Internet.

JT: It’s a sign that I’m old, I guess, that that’s not my first thought, but it should be my first thought. If there’s any problem, I should be able to solve it by going to the Internet. Well, that’s always been my M.O.: to distract people from my hair by getting them to look at my feet. So there’s a guy working at L Magazine that is wearing clown shoes.

AVC: Are you calling yourself a clown?

JT: No, no, no—but it fits sometimes, I suppose.

Post: “I touched Jeff Tweedy over the weekend. Actually, he spoke to me. More like he said, “Excuse me” when I was blocking his (and his family’s) way, but still. To me – and you can disagree, because this is my opinion after all – he’s one of the greatest musical geniuses (genii?) this city has ever spawned. And yes, I know he’s not originally from Chicago, but who’s going to split hairs here? Not me?”

JT: Wow. Well, same with the guy before, I couldn’t agree more. [Laughs.] I mean, what can you do? I’m kidding, obviously. That is a cry for help, I suppose. It’s really nice, and I’m really flattered that somebody thinks that, but I think I have a tougher time with that than the really, really negative stuff.

AVC: Why?

JT: Because I have an easier time believing the negative stuff. So I would point her to some Howlin’ Wolf records, and maybe just start there. That would be my prescription.

AVC: Surely you’ve had experiences like this where rather than telling the Internet, the fan will instead share their excitement to your face, right?

JT: Sometimes, yeah. The recognizability factor is off the charts in Chicago, so it can happen more frequently. My kids get a kick out of it because people are so weird. We were waiting for some food one time at a bar and we were taking it home, and this guy turned around and he recognized me, and he said, “Hey, man. I really wish your records would start selling.” [Laughs.]

I think he meant well, but there’s probably a reason this guy was sitting smashed at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, because he’s obviously got a lot of anger. That’s about as passive-aggressive as you can get.

Post: “I like listening to Wilco, but I do find them pretentious (both musically and personally) and that annoys me. It often doesn’t seem to me like they’re having fun.”

JT: That’s just plain and simple projection. He likes it, but he has to find some reason not to. That would be the person who would be taking things too seriously, and may be having some issues with pretension. I’ve got nothing against pretension. If you stand on stage, the idea is to pretend that it’s not fucking ridiculous to be standing on stage, you know? When I read something like that, I honestly feel a weird sadness, because it couldn’t be further from the truth. I thoroughly love what I get to do, and I think we have a lot of fun doing what we do as a band. I don’t think that that person particularly sounds happy, and I think it’s really clear. I mean, why even share that information?

That person is not only sharing the fact that they’re having trouble allowing themselves to like what they like, but they want to make sure that no one else can call them out on liking something because they have a built-in excuse. What the fuck, man? Just like it. Just shut up and like it. Or don’t like it, but whatever.

Post: “What exactly does Wilco stand for, besides good MOR dad rock? Do they represent a band winding down and becoming less adventurous? It’s very hard to see how whatever they are could be threatening in any fashion.”

JT: Well, the goal of all art is to be threatening in some fashion. [Laughs.] Obviously we’ve threatened this guy’s view of whatever it is he’s supposed to allow himself to like. If that’s not threatening, I don’t know what is, because he’s obviously being challenged. People really think narrowly when it comes to those types of challenges, and the idea that something has to be aggressive or avant grade, or atonal, even, to be a challenge. I’ve found it to be the exact opposite. We literally put 15 minutes of noise on a record that did not raise an eyebrow, but if you make a pop song with Feist on it, people are going to cry like the sky’s falling. It’s really going to hurt somebody. Our goal is to make some shit that we fucking like to play and feel good about, with the knowledge that that doesn’t hurt anybody. You’re basically doing something that you love to do, and you’re not really hurting anybody.

AVC: So stop complicating it.

JT: It’s not complicated at all. To finish that, I would say that that person is, if not under 20 years old, really close to 20.

Post: “I don’t know that I can even fathom a ‘top’ list of Jeff’s lyrics. They’re that great to me. He is the Lennon of my generation.”

JT: Wow. Well, you know, I don’t know where else people do that as much as they do it in the music business. Why can’t you just have Jeff Tweedy, and just be happy with it, and not have to fucking compare every single thing to another generation? Or look for some way to put things in context by imagining that everything mirrors another era? There’s very little about what’s happened to Wilco over the last 15 years that, to me, has anything to do with what happened to The Beatles.

AVC: You just wait until Wilco Rock Band comes out.

JT: Yeah, that would sell tens of copies.

AVC: Finally, I wanted to do a lightning round of just words used to describe you in the context of Wilco. In no particular order: “angsty,” “frontdude,” “Jewish,” “rumpled,” “grizzled,” “a not-so-tortured star,” and, “if you met him on a bus, you wouldn’t know he was a rock star.”

JT: That’s a pretty good cross-section of humanity. I’m picturing someone who’s probably in an adult day care center. I don’t know, that doesn’t sound very appealing. Other than the Jewish part, which… I wish I was Jewish. I’m not Jewish, but my wife and my children are Jewish, so that would clear up a lot of identity issues.

AVC: They were referring to that recent synagogue benefit show you did in Chicago with Peter Grosz.

JT: Yeah. Well, Tweedy is a very Jewish name. “Grizzled” I’ve seen a lot. I can understand a lot of those types of words being used. One that reminded me of hearing all that together was I saw a review of our show we played at Jazzfest a while ago. The review said, “You have to get up close to really appreciate how ugly Jeff Tweedy is.” And it was like, “That’s, wow, sideshow material or something.”

I don’t know where to start with that either, except that I’m sure that this person that wrote that is probably one of the most beautiful human beings that ever walked the face of the planet.

AVC: Inside and out?

JT: Inside and out.

[worldrecordplayer]

I love this quote, hilarious!

 

Re: Capitol City A: It's really divisive. It seems like some people really hate that song, and I don't understand what could make people hate something like that. I could see someone saying, "Ehh, I don't like it." But hate it? Really? You know, we did put 15 minutes of noise on an album one time. That, you're OK with. But a nice little jaunty music hall number is where you draw the line, huh? All right (laughs).

 

I was just about to also quote that answer. Love that response. Capitol City may not be my favorite on TWL, but it's a fun little ditty.