What Jeff Tweedy doesn’t see in the mirror

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Jeff Tweedy recently realized something surprising: he’s now lived more years since the start of his career than the amount of time that passed between the big band era and when he began his own. He pointed this out, a little amazed, while wearing his glasses.

“How does that happen?”

I first discovered Jeff Tweedy way back in the late ’80s with Uncle Tupelo, a band that really pioneered what we now call alt-country. But most people these days know him as the leader of Wilco. Since 1994, they’ve been consistently pushing the limits of American roots rock, and it’s been amazing to watch their evolution.

Over the past four decades, the 58-year-old has also been incredibly productive, writing three books and producing albums for artists like Mavis Staples and Richard Thompson. More recently, he and his wife, Susie Miller Tweedy (who once owned the famous Chicago rock club Lounge Ax), along with their sons Spencer and Sammy, even hosted a variety show on Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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I’m really excited about Jeff Tweedy’s new album, “Twilight Override!” It’s a huge project – a triple album with 30 songs! He really dug deep into themes like love, growing up, and everything in between. He recorded it at the Loft in Chicago with a fantastic band – Spencer and Sammy Tweedy, plus Sima Cunningham, Liam Kazar, and Macie Stewart. And guess what? They’re coming to Los Angeles this weekend! I’m planning to catch them at the Belasco on Friday and then again at the United Theater on Broadway on Saturday – can’t wait!

I sat down with comedian Martin Tweedy in January while he was in town performing his yearly show at Largo at the Coronet. He’s been using this show for years as a chance to test out new jokes and share stories about his classic material.

Does Tweedy, the devoted Chicagoan, like L.A.?

Before a show in Largo, Tweedy admitted he wasn’t a fan of Indianapolis. Sitting backstage in the dressing room, he smiled and confessed, ‘Indianapolis is okay, but I don’t really trust my own judgment when it comes to cities.’

While we were talking, Spencer came in carrying a four-pack of Ardor energy drinks, which Tweedy put in a cooler. Tweedy joked about his “decadent rock and roll lifestyle” involving the fancy drink, explaining, “I don’t drink coffee, but I need caffeine. I like knowing exactly how much I’m getting because I have anxiety and need to be careful.”

I really enjoyed your performance the other night, and I noticed how comfortable you seemed just being yourself on stage. When did you feel you reached that level of confidence? Well, I think that comfort actually comes from accepting that I’m not always comfortable. It really hit me when I started embracing my awkwardness. I’m definitely not as naturally charismatic as someone like David Lee Roth, but I wish I was!

It’s never too late.
It’s too late for him.

That’s not really accurate. You can find recent videos on YouTube that show what I mean. Honestly, I’ve actually come to see him as a kind of hero. I don’t know what his personal beliefs are, and I haven’t looked into them, but I really admire his confidence and how focused he is on his goals. That’s what I like about him.

Music

I recently checked out the new Beach Boys box set, ‘We Gotta Groove,’ and it’s a fascinating look back at a really creative period for the band. It focuses on the music they were making at Brother Studios in 1976 and 1977 – a time when they were clearly experimenting and finding their sound. It’s a treat for any fan interested in the band’s process.

You’ve become accustomed to challenging situations, and now you’ve also developed a good sense of pacing – knowing when to increase and decrease intensity. I’ve played many solo acoustic shows, but honestly, the most nerve-wracking performances have been in people’s homes. For over twenty years, I’ve done dozens of these shows in Chicago for charity. They usually involve playing 30 songs for around 30 people, and each person gets to request a song. It’s interesting because the audience isn’t always filled with enthusiastic fans. Often, it’s a mix of about ten dedicated fans, plus twenty other guests – friends, family, or neighbors of the person hosting.

I realized something important when I understood that the audience members I feared judging me were actually a lot like me. In fact, if the audience was entirely made up of people with my personality, there wouldn’t be any noise at all – just silence.

Your wife is incredibly funny – she might even be funnier than you! Her quick response when you asked for requests was perfectly timed and hilarious. Seriously, she’s the funniest person I know. I remember during those charity shows, she’d text me jokes during my set, like, “Why are you playing all the sad songs?”

Regarding passionate fans, I was listening to the “Wilco the Podcast” and they really understand fan culture. It made me wonder when I realized I had that kind of following. It’s something I’ve acknowledged, but it’s hard to fully accept. What helped me get more comfortable with having fans was doing “The Tweedy Show” during the pandemic. I hoped it would show people how connected we all are, without the usual stage setup or hierarchy – we were all going through the same thing. When we canceled our tour dates early on, people were really disappointed, and my wife suggested I let them know we were doing okay.

What I mean is, it wasn’t a particularly amazing experience, but I did feel a sense of purpose and it was good to feel responsible, almost like a pastor caring for their community. It made what was previously just a one-way connection feel a little more genuine.

Looking back five or six years, has anything from that experience really lasted? I think a lot has. The biggest thing for me was simply being seen. It’s tough to get used to having fans because they’re reacting to your work, to a public image – one you’ve created intentionally or not. But with ‘The Tweedy Show,’ we embraced our imperfections. Because of that, I’m much more comfortable sharing openly now.

You believe “Twilight Override” offers hope during a difficult time, but not everyone agrees that things are bleak. Some Trump supporters actually feel we’re entering a new era of American greatness.

However, despite this belief, they seem to constantly complain. Trump himself doesn’t project optimism; he focuses on negativity, portraying himself and his supporters as unfairly treated. Frankly, they come across as extremely whiny. While a small number of wealthy individuals genuinely believe this is a golden age, I don’t value their opinion because they aren’t personally affected by the issues. I acknowledge I can only judge them based on what I observe, but their perspective seems excessive and out of touch.

It feels like people are always worried about the end of the world, but every generation has felt that way. Eventually, one of them will be proven right.

You collaborated with your sons on this album. Was there anything about their playing style that took some getting used to? Not at all. I don’t think I ever approach other musicians with the idea that I know the ‘right’ way to do things. I definitely don’t think, ‘These younger musicians don’t understand real rock and roll.’ I’ve made a conscious effort to avoid getting stuck in the past and overly nostalgic.

It takes conscious effort to do that. It’s not a strict rule, and it shouldn’t be. I’m happy to enjoy a Creedence Clearwater Revival album, but I wouldn’t want to claim it’s better than music being made now.

Music

The up-and-coming pop and soul artist has begun her first major tour across the U.S., supporting her popular song ‘Die on This Hill.’

I recently saw a photo of you with Cameron Winter from the band Geese, and it made me realize you’re in an interesting spot – not quite the seasoned veteran yet… though some might disagree!

Wilco isn’t the fresh, new band we once were, and I’ve accepted that. We’ve been around long enough to realize how few rock bands are still playing at our level. Especially after losing someone like Tom Petty, it hits you that we might be one of the last places where people can reliably hear that kind of guitar-based music.

At what point do artists become legends like Petty, Springsteen, or Dylan? Is it around age 60 or 65?

I feel like I’m living in a transition period – between a time when those iconic artists existed and a time when they won’t be around anymore. I connected with Cameron early in his career, even attending one of his first solo shows, and we stayed in touch as he quickly rose to fame – going from a small club in Chicago to Carnegie Hall in under a year. He’s incredibly gifted and original, and I appreciate that he’s open to my support. Similarly, the band Geese is doing exactly what a new band should: captivating some, dividing others, and creating a real buzz. It’s really exciting to watch.

You know, spending time with Mavis Staples has really shifted my perspective on aging. It’s funny, we actually have a lot in common. She was always the baby of her family, completely cherished and taken care of, but also, she was the one who brought the energy to everything. Because of that, she just doesn’t seem old – I honestly never think about her age. It makes me think about my own aging process… I usually only confront it when something physical happens, like needing hip surgery. Otherwise, if I don’t look in the mirror, I honestly feel like I’m still 18, maybe even younger – like before life really started to shape who I am.

An internal biography is the story you tell yourself about who you are. It starts when you begin to define yourself, combining how you see yourself with how others perceive you. However, this self-defined image can actually limit your creativity and potential, narrowing your perspective and the possibilities available to you. I apologize for getting a bit carried away with these thoughts!

It’s like we create a fixed image of ourselves, but we don’t have to be limited by it. The people I admire most – artists like Little Richard, Howlin’ Wolf, and Captain Beefheart – possessed both a strong sense of self and an incredible ability to reinvent themselves. When you watch a truly captivating musician, it’s often not even about technical perfection. Take Jimi Hendrix, for example – he was frequently out of tune in performances, but that didn’t matter. It was inspiring to watch, and that’s what truly resonated with people.

Finally, in your book “World Within a Song,” you discuss growing to appreciate ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” What’s another ABBA song you really love?” “SOS.” It’s a fantastic song.

The chapter discusses how, as a young punk, you immediately dismissed pop music. However, you’ve mentioned enjoying some radio songs, like those by the Bay City Rollers. It’s interesting that you liked them, but not bands like ABBA. You’ve even compared the Bay City Rollers to the Ramones, suggesting a surprising similarity.

So, that’s the image people had of them? That’s certainly how the Ramones saw themselves. Their songs referenced “Saturday Night,” and they adopted the look of tough guys from Queens – leather jackets and plaid shirts. But unlike the disco scene, they weren’t associated with anything considered negative or uncool.

While some people might have disliked it, ABBA fully embraced it. I’ve always had a soft spot for them, but the way people wrote them off just didn’t feel right.

You called “Dancing Queen” ‘exuberantly sad.’ Do you try to create that feeling in your own music? Absolutely. I wish I could do it more consistently. I’ve written many songs I thought would be hits, but they didn’t become popular.

What’s an example?
Almost all of “Summerteeth.”

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2026-03-18 13:34