Free Low & JT Performance Plus Q&A - Chicago 7th March

[Albert Tatlock]

"On Thursday, March 7 at 7:00pm, Jeff Tweedy will join us at saki in Chicago for “Off the Record”, a partnership between saki and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.  We’ll be playing some stripped down tracks off The Invisible Way, and answering some questions along with Jeff about the making of The Invisible Way.  The event is free and open to the public, admittance will be on a first-come first-served basis."

 

http://chairkickers.com/

 

[LouieB]

Congrats to Saki. Good work.

 

LouieB

[barbkm]

Man...I wish I lived in Chicago

[nalafej]

Low sounded really good at the event. They played 6-7 songs. Really good. 

 

After a break, XRT dj Marty interviewed the band and Jeff and then opened up to audience questions. Most of the comments were along the same lines we've already read/heard Jeff and Low make. One comment Jeff made that sticks in my head is that he feels prouder of this project than any other he's been a part of. Thought that was interesting and would have liked to be able to ask a follow-up..."even Wilco?"

[Albert Tatlock]

 

More here:-

 

http://maddchicago.com/see-photos-of-lows-in-store-performace-at-saki/

[Cam Jones]

god damn Jeff needs a hair cut.

[Albert Tatlock]

god damn Jeff needs a hair cut.

 

My favourite description I ever read of Wilco is "five geography teachers and a tramp" :-)

[Magnetized]

My favourite description I ever read of Wilco is "five geography teachers and a tramp" :-)

 

I'm hoping he keeps it that way for just a few more days. I like him all scruffy. He'll clean up before they tour, I'm sure. 

[rareair]

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/10/173452523/first-listen-low-the-invisible-way?ps=mh_fl

 

low album streaming now.

[uncool2pillow]

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/10/173452523/first-listen-low-the-invisible-way?ps=mh_fl

 

low album streaming now.

Thanks for the notice!

[barbkm]

god damn Jeff needs a hair cut.

I know I am suppose to appreciate him as an artist, yadda yadda yadda, but I totally agree. On stage, he is a combination of Indiana Jones*, Han Solo*, Mr. Darcy** and Eric from True Blood***, but up close not so much.

 

PS And someone needs to remind him that he's not 15; what up with the hoodies?

 

I love him dearly, but John Stirratt is much more my type.

 

*My love for a young Harrison Ford has never wavered.

**As portrayed by Colin Firth.

***I do love the Swedes, especially Swedes with a nice ass.

[Magnetized]

Here's a short recap of the Low performance at Saki and the interview that followed with Low and JT. Interesting what he says about producing albums for other artists. Also the comment about needing outside help for producing. I wonder if, through his growing experience in producing others, he is valuing the role of an outside producer more than he has in the past. "Listening to Low's latest record, The Invisible Way, it's difficult to fathom that its inception was essentially a matter of chance. After numerous invitations, the band finally stopped by Wilco's studio last year and witnessed Jeff Tweedy at work on the next Mavis Staples album. Hearing the intimacy and warmth of these recordings, the Duluth-based group was inspired to book some time in the Loft, with Tweedy acting as producer. Last night's monthly Off the Record event at Saki homed in on the inspirations and process behind Low's new album, culminating in a lengthy Q&A session with the band and Tweedy. Over the course of a short, stripped-down set that preceded the interview, Low showcased songs from its upcoming record alongside tunes that dated back to the group's formation 20 years ago. The voices of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker intertwined atop the group's delicate arrangements, bolstered by instrumentalist Steve Garrington, who coaxed haunting chords from the store's upright piano. New songs like "Plastic Cup" and "Clarence White" seemed to signal a return to the sparse yet focused aesthetic that the band channeled on its early releases. The parallels were especially pronounced when the band played a rendition of "Words," culled from its debut LP, a song that established many of the defining characteristics that the band still clings to. Sparhawk acknowledged the similarities, explaining, "There's a lot of what we do that I feel is pretty much exactly that same as when we started, and there are parts of my brain that feel like they're trying to frame the same question over and over again." In the Q&A session that followed, Sparhawk and Tweedy spoke about their experience working together and—at the behest of a fan—their purchases at Saki (most notably, a well-worn copy of Pat Travers's Makin' Magic). Sparhawk was quick to praise Tweedy's expertise behind the boards at the Loft, noting that "There's something about really knowing your studio…because Jeff and Tom [schick] had been working in the studio for a long time, they had it all figured out." Tweedy acknowledged his increasing preference for production work, claiming "I do feel more comfortable doing that than making my own records because I have to deal with my own psychology which is much more difficult—you kind of need outside help for that." However, he continually downplayed his influence on the recording of The Invisible Way, insisting that Low came to him with ideas that were nearly fully realized. "I see Low and Mavis Staples as the same kind of thing," the Wilco frontman commented. "It's a beautiful thing that you just need to stay out of the way of and it sounds good."

[Jcamp]

Great post.

 

Low's previous visits may have set the tone for The Invisible Way sessions.

JT downplayed his producing role partially because "Low arrived at the Loft more prepared than any other group he had worked with".

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Tweedy acknowledged his increasing preference for production work, claiming "I do feel more comfortable doing that than making my own records because I have to deal with my own psychology which is much more difficult—you kind of need outside help for that." 

I really hope this does not mean he is less interested in writing or performing. That would be bad for all of us Wilco/Tweedy fans.

[Magnetized]

I really hope this does not mean he is less interested in writing or performing. That would be bad for all of us Wilco/Tweedy fans.

After reading this article I found 4 separate YouTube videos (parts 1-4) of the entire interview, so I got to hear exactly what he said and the intonation. After hearing that, I don't in any way think he was saying he's no longer interested in his own or Wilco's material. He was, though, really embracing the role of producer and saying he felt it was a good fit for him. His tone of voice was kind of self deprecating (typical Tweedy!) about how it's easier to guide or hone someone else's work than his own. I don't think we have anything to worry about.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Good, I'm glad that there's no bad news for us Wilco obsessives. Four YouTube videos? You might have me beat!

[Magnetized]

Good, I'm glad that there's no bad news for us Wilco obsessives. Four YouTube videos? You might have me beat!

Well, it wasn't all that long. (That's what she said.)

[nalafej]

Saki is closing...Didn't Jeff just say in a Q&A (reddit? twitter) that it was the store to visit in CHI if you could only visit one?

 

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/logan-square-record-store-saki-is-closing-110316

[zach5277]

Saki is closing...Didn't Jeff just say in a Q&A (reddit? twitter) that it was the store to visit in CHI if you could only visit one?

 

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/logan-square-record-store-saki-is-closing-110316

 

Yeah, he mentioned it in the recent Twitter Q&A: https://twitter.com/Wilco/status/773254798401503232

 

Pretty sure that Jeff is a friend of Saki's owner—I recall seeing him shopping there on Record Store Day a few years back. At one point, the store was working with Sue to put together an exhibition of Lounge Axe memorabilia, though I don't believe that ever came to fruition.

 

Saki is my neighborhood store, so I'm very sad to see it go. In terms of selection and the ability to quickly order just about anything you asked for, there's no place like it in the city.

 

If anyone knows of someone in Chicago who wants to get into the record store business (a tall order, I'm aware), there's some excellent stock (the shop also housed an independent distribution company, also being shut down) and a few very experienced employees that will be available in the coming weeks...

[bböp]

Sad news about saki. Always sad to hear about any record store closing, but I figured it would happen sooner or later. Just not enough profit to be made solely off new vinyl. For a store to really thrive these days, in my opinion, finding a way to get quality used stuff in regularly has to be the main focus. Gotta be really smart with what and how much new stuff you stock...

 

And FYI, the owner of saki (and Carrot Top Records/Distribution) Patrick Monaghan is married to Julia Adams, who used to be Susan Miller Tweedy's partner in Lounge Ax. So the connection with saki and the Tweedys was a pretty strong one. Sad that it seems like Patrick (and Julia?) are getting out of the music biz...

[nalafej]

I stopped in last week. Picked up Mermaid II at 50% off. Not bad. I am just playing it now and looking at the liner notes and artwork. Jeff Tweedy plays mandolin on it! I had no idea. I think Saki's last day is tomorrow...