Jeff Tweedy and George Saunders Have an Epic Conversation | GQ

Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy sits down with acclaimed author George Saunders to go deep on their process. In this expansive interview, Tweedy and Saunders cover everything from the death of loved ones, Tweedy's new memoir and transitioning from songwriting to prose. Tweedy also does a live performance of his song "Bombs Above."
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Jeff Tweedy and George Saunders Have an Epic Conversation | GQ

[@buckleygeneration]

I’m a musician myself. There are other people I admire, big personalities like a Nick Cave or a Tom Waits. But what I’ve realised with time is that I could never be that kind of person (kind of obvious), nor would I want to. I want to be someone like Jeff Tweedy. A musician’s musician. It’s a high bar, but it’s at least one that I feel like I want to aim for. Chuck Klosterman once referred to Jeff as “probably the least pretentious semi-genius I’ve ever interviewed”, and I think that’s spot on (though the “semi” could be debated).

[@mountart2]

I love when Jeff talks about just humming the tune to not stop the process of creating and recording a song until you have the words sussed out. John Lennon talked about the very same thing a lot, saying if you get stuck with the words, just say anything, don't stop the creative process and the inspiration of the moment, you can always go back and fill in the blanks later.

[@ryangood4595]

"Music sounds different when have the wrong companion" is so beautifully stated and completely true.

[@applemanuk]

Absolutely fantastic … You know that feeling when something totally engages you and an hour passes by and you swore it was only 10/15 minutes. Wonderful stuff.

[@williammaloney2003]

Tweedy is a wise and eloquent man, both with his words and his music. Loved the interview, thank you.

[@djeurosham]

I've been a Wilco fan for 15+ years, and this is still a very educational interview. Thank you for putting this together!

[@austin78993]

I love how open he was about that first song he played. All suffering is equal. I think right now in 2020 I needed to hear that. It's hard to watch people dealing with COVID and being mentally beaten down but telling yourself "Past generations had it worse" "Other people in the world have it worse." They had it worse, but that doesn't mean you don't get to feel bad too. That's so liberating.

[@LSUOdyssey]

Now, we know we had it worse. We were lied to by everyone

[@vilicus77]

I love this--also loved the conversation with Saunders and Isbell. Please do more of these. I would pay for this content.

[@Berbs73]

Me too!

[@phototristan]

His new album WARM is really great. I saw Wilco open for REM in '95 and have been a fan ever since.

[@carmineanastasio]

Fantastic interview...it is great for an artist to paint a picture to their own creative process. Tweedy is is very profound individual and George does such a good job at listening and asking purposeful and relevant questions. Thank you for sharing.

[@wildsmiley]

If I’m ever in a modestly successful band, I want a creative loft like Wilco’s.

[@jaytouvelle2359]

Wilco had a lot of breaks don't count on it todays musicians everything is cut throat no one helps them get started. I hope you make it but you should of been born 20 years earlier

[@HanzArtBodybuilding]

@@jaytouvelle2359 this is crazy 😂

[@jhendricks02]

@@jaytouvelle2359 you must be fun at parties

[@keithkoenig5320]

The one Tweedy kicked the late great Jay Bennett out of?

[@eclouds2007]

Brian rules

[@Mr1945pete]

one of the best interviews I have heard with Jeff Tweedy.

[@TatesNBeans]

I love listening to Tweedy talk :)

[@shannonslayter3162]

when he mention his Dad's best years, i asked my grandad at 76, what ere his best he said 43-5-

[@willimwelsyn5353]

"To me, a rock concert is kind of like eating some kind of meal together." - Bravo!

[@rdmkeytohwy]

George and Jeff are both very engaging in this interview. I have always felt Jeff was intelligent, sincere, and funny. I need to see him live on a solo tour. Can't wait to read the book!

[@myrtlewood500]

Thank you for the music Wilco

[@brndgtl]

Enjoyed every second of this

[@Berbs73]

I feel the same way. It felt very cozy and honest.

[@llebieck]

This is wonderful. My favorite musician in conversation with my favorite living author. Thank you, GQ!

[@mhbackman]

What a brilliant combo of genuine legends!

[@connorboyd3308]

Pemulis

[@connorboyd3308]

Hal

[@connorboyd3308]

dfw

[@christianscazzieri]

Clash of the giants. Loved every minute of it: thanks for posting!

[@dwightwest2885]

This is amazing! I love Wilco's song writing so much!

[@banjothebandit]

Really enjoyed this!

[@russellborenstein-burd6793]

So surprised that these GQ interviews are so good! Great job y'all

[@polymathematics_]

Love Wilco and George Saunders. Amazing cross over

[@arturrozirozlach7591]

This is great. Very helpful. Thanks

[@jeffhogue9953]

Great interview between two great artists. Thank you to all.

[@mylescoyne1]

Great interview, great book, great album. Thanks Jeff.

[@shackbhoy]

Great stuff , love Jeff and George is my favourite at the moment ( along with Lucia Berlin)

[@mjm0991]

Fascinating. A couple of brilliant guys talking over the creative process.

[@martinluthierking]

Thank you for this.

[@seanmcmorris]

Great conversation.

[@TheMerFree]

Jeff is so articulate! I definitely want to read his book.

[@Maximuss1999]

Really a fantastic interview

[@Berbs73]

I didn't know that he had a book that came out! I just downloaded it on Audible. Sweet!

[@alexanderrigda7002]

i must be a huge tweedy fan because i've heard the springsteen story like 15x

[@BaktaBak3]

Thanks for posting . Enjoyed it a lot :-)

[@dylanwylde4093]

Long live Tweedy

[@mkingw]

Outstanding!

[@averagejoesdojo]

Any chance we are getting one of these in 2020? The last two George Saunders Epic Conversations have been incredible.

[@BurstAndBlindThem]

George Saunders should do an interview with Phil Elverum.

[@adefergus67]

"Epic", to be sure. I Loved it. Many thanks GQ

[@reimereason]

What a thoughtful, inspirational artist. Respect.

[@OngoingBox]

lovely interview. I'd watch more interviews between two creative people. (I suppose like a video Interview magazine.)

[@jgoodell77]

"Weaponized Victimhood" I finally have words for what I've been feeling is wrong with people right now. Couple that with the lie we all tell ourselves "I pulled myself up by my bootstraps!" and hey presto you've convinced yourself someone who is suffering, is getting a free ride by getting food and a safe place to sleep.

[@1022rebelreddog]

i was drawn in by bands like whiskytown, son volt, the jayhawks...etc etc.that arty period threw me a curve.

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

What are arty period are you thinking about?

[@1022rebelreddog]

i own several guitars ..this part was cool!!!!

[@user-yq8sx2dh4k]

George's jean outfit is epic

[@mhbackman]

GS rocking the double denim! Winning a booker means you can do whatever you want!

[@malenurse51]

Two geniuses.

[@npuffer]

It's so funny that both sides of the political field say the same exact thing about one another. I agree with Jeff when he said, and I'm paraphrasing, that both sides have a lot more in common than they expect.

[@mhbackman]

I get the sneaking suspicion George could easily moonlight as a musical reviewer/interviewer. Brilliant conversation between two real minds.

[@theheartofablackbird2109]

I love Jeff and I do want to read the book, but I'd much rather listen to him play/sing for an hour than just hear him talk.

[@Berbs73]

Nothing wrong with that.

[@maxlaird6195]

My Dinner with Andre Pt. II

[@RobertGrayMusic]

I could watch an entire documentary about this studio...

[@smokyschanel6598]

What he says about what Americans have in common is something almost no one understands. Look at polls on basically every major substantive issue. There's broad agreement. (And our government is not at all representative of what people actually want.)

[@cavalier2eternal]

Anybody know the brand of the jacket Jeff is wearing?

[@dermen777]

Watching this and noticed im also wearing a tweedy shirt

[@leonardolores2255]

What time he said ....this ..life if decay. -you will always be alone. -you are expandable _

[@RobertGrayMusic]

I do that with the mumble tracks too, ha ha! The subconscious rules.

[@sarahchastain17]

boy the comments on this video are not indicative of the typical Wilco audience. Jeez. Anyway.... Thanks George and Jeff for a lovely interview. So great.

[@jefftweedyofficial]

🤘🤘🌹🎸 🎸

[@bearpickle]

that was indeed epic.

[@samcat2853]

When the aliens come and discover the earth and rummage through the rubble that will be left of human civilization, hopefully they will find some Wilco albums and realize that at least some of us were worth saving

[@sugarypuma509]

Tweedy4prez

[@justin-lb5uv]

You know

[@tbwatch88]

nice Canadian tuxedo, Georgie. love you nevertheless.

[@NanaYawAforo]

epic interview, don't feed the trolls!!!!

[@jefftweedyofficial]

🤘🤘🌹🎸 🎸

[@johnstephens5933]

Is Jeff Tweedy morphing into Badly Drawn Boy?

[@TallGreyMan]

Was hoping he would speak a little about his relationship with Jay Bennett.

[@octaviof.g.7316]

That's a heavy one.

[@SolamenteVees]

[TallGreyMan] He does at length in the book...

[@Berbs73]

You can talk about acoustic guitars having character that is measurable. But when people talk about electric guitars having character, I think most of it is in their minds.

[@shellyandrews169]

I just filmed a video of my dog eating a plastic woodblock. Yesterday I found my missing cat dehydrated and scared trapped in a bass drum she overturned while I was away. Music. Our narrative.

[@jefftweedyofficial]

🤘🤘🌹🎸 🎸

[@brooklynboy1000]

so bromantic

[@1022rebelreddog]

tweedy is a man like any other...I too have been aware of him since no depression era. im not in awe of him or his speaking ability....his songs though a unique..

[@duckbrew]

This is a much better interview than with marc maron the other day. Sorry marc.

[@mhbackman]

Yep. Listening to the Maron interview now and it's not his best.

[@duckbrew]

@@mhbackman Maron seems a little ill prepared, and probably that not that much of a fan

[@owenhackettmusic]

I really enjoyed him talking to Marc Maron so if this is better, I canny wait to listen!

[@duckbrew]

@@owenhackettmusic This is a ton better... Maron wants to get you in and out within an hour

[@drumsnotdead1]

Marc, shoulda read the book fully. I feel like I was listening to Jeff repeat or perform the book, but just not as good as the audio book...

[@zadelw2016]

Second

[@1022rebelreddog]

read the book the REAL LINCOLN BY THOMAS J DILORENZO...

[@dizmix]

Nerds....

[@wouterdeheus3626]

This is a very enjoyable and interesting interview, but epic? Come on! Lose the hyperbole!

[@buckleygeneration]

Pretty sure that’s referring to the length. Still hyperbolic, but quite a common way to use it.

[@adanacman666]

good stuff....but jesus, he looks like on his way to the soup kitchen.....jus sayin

[@Berbs73]

So.

[@inspectionnegross8695]

Jeff looks like a full blown homeless guy.

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

Obvously looks can be deceiving; a lesson for every day.

[@samcat2853]

geniuses don't have time to groom

[@michaeldematteis3409]

That's all you got out of this. Very sad

[@hundredeyes8917]

I think he looks pretty sharp. Nice jacket, nice hoodie, nice jeans, smart wayfarers. Do we want our rock musicians to dress like hedge fund execs?

[@Berbs73]

So.

[@ThePing1616]

what is "epic" about this. They're talking to each other.

[@Berbs73]

And not at each other.

[@tbwatch88]

this is like the TOTAL NOVICE telling the guru how to levitate. Saunders--a god among men. Tweedy? come on, man.

[@SpaceGhost1701]

Wilco has sucked for a decade.

[@jessewilks7]

what's the point of commenting something negative like this?

[@SpaceGhost1701]

@@jessewilks7 WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR FACE?

[@jacksonaldridge5029]

BaconOddity You are my face

[@MrChrisStingray]

Love how you think Wilco has sucked for a decade but have no supporting reasons why you would make a stupid comment like that.

[@brndgtl]

You’re a tool

[@1022rebelreddog]

capitalism has been good to wilco..lol ....read dinesh Dsouza book the big lie..

[@whaaaa869]

not reading crap by some felonious idiot

[@OngoingBox]

capitalism works for some, and it's great when people can remain genuine within a system built on greed . . . but Dsouza and his output are toxic, destructive, and dangerous. P.S. Let's finish that third Loose Fur record!

[@davidbarrett4586]

1022rebelreddog kindly GTFO

[@TR-yi8up]

Felon fiction

[@1022rebelreddog]

SAUNDERS UR TO LIBERAL...ENJOYED IT...LISTENED ALL THE WAY THRU...JUST SUPPORT UR US MILITARY.LAW INFORCEMENT,BORDER PATROL....AND POTUS...PEACE.

[@2wings1bird46]

First wilco album was great, how bout shaving and take off the filthy old jacket, your a millionaire, he reeks of effort now.

[@hundredeyes8917]

uguddabkiddn Everyone dresses like that in Chicago. Definitely Chicago chic