Jeff Tweedy has explained the reasons why Wilco surprise released their new album Star Wars as a free download from the band's website. Star Wars was released in July. The album - the band's first since 2011’s The Whole Love - was initially available as a free download for 30 days via wilcoworld...
Jeff Tweedy has explained the reasons why Wilco surprise released their new album Star Wars as a free download from the band’s website.
Star Wars was released in July.
The album – the band’s first since 2011’s The Whole Love – was initially available as a free download for 30 days via wilcoworld.net and anti.com, as well as through iTunes, Google Play and Amazon Digital. It was also available through traditional streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music and Rdio.
It will be released on CD on August 21 and on vinyl on October 13. You can pre-order both formats from the Wilco website by clicking here.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Tweedy explained, “I was really dreading the modern rollout pattern. Usually, by the time the record comes out, I hate it. I hate talking about it. I hate all the people that have weighed in on it. I think it’s done a disservice to our records, the way they’ve been heard in dribs and drabs, and a lot of people think they’ve heard a whole record after just hearing one song. That’s not the way Wilco records work.”
Also in the interview, Tweedy admitted he’s not a fan of the Star Wars move series: “No! In fact, I didn’t know there was a new Star Wars movie coming out until my lawyer told me.”
He continued, “Everybody advised me against [calling the album Star Wars], because there is a heavily protected trademark involved. But I think from our point of view, it was clearly recontextualized, clearly did not have any of the look and feel of what would be protected under law. So, you know, we’ll see. They haven’t said anything so far.”
He also revealed that work is currently progressing on the follow-up to Star Wars. “I’m about halfway done with the next record,” he said.
Tweedy also talked about touring with Bob Dylan in 2013, saying, “We’ve talked a little bit, and I actually get a really warm feeling from him. I felt very inspired just being in the presence of somebody that has that few fucks to give about anything. There’s a lot of middle ground there between somebody like Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney, who totally gives it up every night for the people and the songs. But if I had to choose one to be more inspired by, it’s definitely on the more curmudgeonly asshole side of the spectrum.”
You can read Uncut‘s review of Star Wars by clicking here.
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