It's been a while since we've checked in with Wilco, but suffice it to say: the band's been busy. After completing their contract with Nonesuch, the band has broken out on their own, and decided to start their own record label, dBpm Records. Unlike last time, when the band departed their label amongst big-music tomfoolery, this time things seem to have gone much more smoothly.
As such, the band seems to be in good spirits, and is kicking off the summer with a limited edition 7" as the first release from their label. Containing two tracks, a new Wilco song "I Might" and a cover of Nick Drake's "I Love My Label", the record will be available in two formats on July 19th: clear blue vinyl (online preorder), and classic black (retail, above).
If that's not enough for the collector in you, then head to Wilco's Solid Sound fest in North Adams, MA on the weekend of June 24th. In addition to hosting a slew of awesome music (Wilco, Thurston Moore, and Levon Helm band, to name a few), the festival will have a third, clear vinyl, version of the single available for consumption. Win!
It's the end of the summer, and we know you've already been to a lot of shows, but don't give up! There's still so many great bands to see, and this weekend marks notable options on both sides of the continent!
While many of you, we're sure, own and enjoy Wilco's DVD Ashes Of American Flags (trailer below), tomorrow night at IFC offers something of a unique experience even for those who have it at home. In short, the film will be showing on the big screen (yes!) in high definition (double yes!). On top of that, there's all sorts of goodness going on at the showing, like a ticket giveaway to the Solid Sound Festival and, more importantly, the ability to nerd out with other New York Wilco fans. Yes, that means us too. See you there!
The last time we checked in with Beck's Record Club, he was hard at work re-recording the Velvet Underground's debut, to amazing results. Since then, he's continued the hard work, and this time he's managed to enlist most of Wilco to help him with the results.
Wilco at the Greek Theater, Berkeley in 2009, from the HAD Archive
Rain drenched picture courtesy of Andrew Choy
Now, this is more like it. After Wilco's relatively uninspired performance on Conan a couple of weeks back, we were happy to see them nail "You And I" as they paid David Letterman a visit.
Of course, it didn't exactly hurt things that Feist was on hand to help them out and add a fair dose of energy to the mix. As she sang with Tweedy, it was clear that he was more than a little happy to have her on hand, as was the rest of the band.
In fact, we can't say we've seen the Wilco crew be quite so grin-filled in quite a while. Then again, can you really blame them?
If there was any suitable way to follow up David Byrne's performance on Friday night at the Greek, then this was certainly it. Okkervil River and Wilco joined forces to descend upon the very same venue, and give Byrne an unquestionable run for his money on the superb show from the night before. The two bands both delivered sets that ran the gamut of their catalog, and underscored just how formidable both of those catalogs are. However, even more than that, both bands gave joyous performances that, when combined with the weather, closed out one of the most exciting weekends of music we've seen in a very long time.
Okkervil River took the stage promptly at 7:30, and the Greek was already packed. It was clear that most of the audience had come to see both bands, and they showed it in spades. Will Sheff, for his part, did exactly the same, and managed to squeeze all of his usual passion and antics into a quick 30 minute set.
This was the first time we had seen the band with their new lead guitarist Lauren Gurgiolo, and we have to say we thought that she nailed it. Her style is certainly a little different from the band's older material, but the fact that she was totally shredding on some solos, adding fantastic accents to other songs, and thoroughly multi-instrumental all added up to be super impressive.
While the crowd was enthusiastic across the board, they really dug in for the last two numbers, "Our Life Is Not A Movie (Or Maybe)" and "It's Kicks". Both of the upbeat tunes underscored just how well Okkervil River played as an opening band, and how masterfully they worked such a large venue. We've said it before, but we'll say it again: they're a band who are going to keep getting bigger and bigger - keep your eyes open.
Wilco took the stage right around 8:30, and it was clear from the outset that they were ready to have a good time: everyone was all smiles, and the crowd was eating it up. They led off the set with a old and new mix: "Wilco (The Song)", "Muzzle Of Bees", and "Shot In The Arm". The latter served to really get the crowd going, and proceeded to give way to what would end up being two and a half hours of awesome rock and roll.
At this point, it almost seems moot to mention the technical instrumental wizardry that Wilco brings to the stage, if only because it's such a constant. that being said, they are such a tight unit, that it's still worth bringing up. The onstage rapport, the expert arrangements, and the band's individual talents all serve to create a live awesomeness that really can't be captured outside of being there.
The set list was a healthy mix of new and old material, with a slightly heavier emphasis on the former. The band's forthcoming (as in, this week) new album was well represented, with five tracks accounted for. All of the new material went over extremely well, although for us the highlight was "Bull Black Nova". The song manages to be a bit more edgy than its cohorts on the new record, and in a live setting it was even more so. Definitely tasty.
Of the old material, there were some favorites ("Misunderstood", "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart", "California Stars", and "Jesus Etc" to name a few), and a few surprises. Specifically, we were shocked to hear "Box Full Of Letters" (from AM), and "I Can't Stand It" (the lead off track from Summerteeth). Both of these tracks were somewhat noted in Wilco lore for being radio-friendly, and not particularly loved by the band. That being said, the performances were totally amazing - we're guessing the band's decision to play all of their recorded material in Chicago last year may have been the inspiration. Either way, we were loving it.
At the end of the day, we'll sum it up by saying this: Wilco shows are magical, as are shows at the Greek. Combine the two on a beautiful 70 degree night, and you have about the best dose of entertainment you can get. To get to hear the band tear through such an awesome selection of material, and be smiling while doing it was simply amazing. Nels Cline, as always, delivered knock-you-out guitar solos, and the rest of the band served to provide the pieces for the always-expanding Wilco puzzle. As the night came to a close, and the band tore out some insane solos on "Hoodoo Voodoo", we were left smiling, and knowing we'd be that way for quite a while.
Many more pictures at the HAD Archive
Setlist
--
Wilco (The Song)
Muzzle Of Bees
A Shot In The Arm
At Least That's What You Said
Bull Black Nova
You Are My Face
Deeper Down
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
One Wing
Radio Cure
Impossible Germany
California Stars
I Can't Stand It
Jesus, Etc.
Handshake Drugs
Hate It Here
Walken
I'm The Man Who Loves You
--
You Never Know
The Late Greats
Box Full Of Letters
Misuderstood
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Hoodoo Voodoo
Look, we do like the new Wilco record, and lord knows we're huge fans of Tweedy and Co., but last night's performance on Conan just felt....empty. Sure, the band was playing in their fancy-shmancy suits, but they just seemed spaced out and sort of bland. Suffice it to say that it feel short of what we know the band is capable of, and it didn't exactly help that the refrain of "You Never Know" includes the lyric "I don't care any more".
We're sure things will be much better in Berkeley on Saturday. Stupid TV.
We have to admit that when we heard Wilco was delivering an iPhone app, we kinda wondered what good it would be. But the fact of the matter is, that it's pretty cool. The *free* app for Apple's ubiquitous entry to the phone market is structured much like the band's website, and gives a similar navigational feel.
At the end of the day, that's basically what the app is: it takes the content from the band's website, and makes it easily accessible on the iPhone. While it's not exactly a miracle of modern technology, it is quite neat (and convenient) to have the band's tour dates, discography, and news in the palm of your hand. What's more, we do so much fiddling on our iPhone when we're bored, that it's a nice way to catch up on the band during our downtime.
So, yeah, it's pretty tough to argue with free, and when it's free and cool, well that's a no brainer. We gotta say - other bands should really get on this bandwagon.
Wave of the future. Wave of the future. Wave of the future.
Picture from the HAD Archive
On Monday we mentioned that we were hankering to hear Wilco's latest, and apparently our prayers were quickly answered. The band has released a statement that the record has apparently leaked, and so in keeping with Wilco tradition, they've begun streaming the album via their web site.
The site itelf has been completely revamped as well, and there's a lot to check out. We're still in the midst of our first listen to the record, so those thoughts will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, what are you waiting for? Get over there and listen!
While we were a bit bummed not to hear any new material from Wilco's new record when we were caught them at Jazz Fest the other week, that certainly hasn't done anything to deter us from being psyched for their forthcoming record. Over the past year or so, the band has given tastes of the new material here and there, and to our ears it sounds like perhaps Mr. Tweedy is indulging his darker side a bit more than he has of late.
While Sky Blue Sky was an admitted foray into earnest singer-songwriter mode, the new material appears to hinge more on Tweedy's uncanny ability to pull influences from all over the rock spectrum and mix them into a unique bit of goodness. What's more, the lyrical content appears to have returned to Tweedy's more poetic influences, and depend less on a direct storyteller vibe.
As the album release grows near, more and more information is amassing, and this week the cover art dropped (above) as well as the following track list:
Wilco (the song)
Deeper Down
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
You And I
You Never Know
Country Disappeared
Solitaire
I'll Fight
Sonny Feeling
Everlasting Everything
While all the material has yet to surface, a few of the tracks are out there. We've linked to them so that you can get a taste for yourself. We have to say, we're thinking this record is gonna be a doozy.
On top of all the new album release goodness, the band has also released a sign-o-the-times download via their website. A cover of the Woody Guthrie tune "The Jolly Banker", the song is a well placed dig at our nation's current financial woes. While you can snag the track for free, the band is hoping that you'll at least make a small donation to the Woody Guthrie Foundation. Head to the band's site to grab the tune.
