The modern music industry is built almost entirely on Black art. The wealth that rightfully belonged to Black artists was stolen outright and to this day continues to grow outside their communities. No one artist could come close to paying the debt we owe to the Black originators of our modern music and their children and grandchildren. As an individual I have recognized the unfairness of the life I live in relation to the deprivation of people whose work mine is but a shadow of. I’ve tried to compensate for those inequities in both my public and private life. It hasn’t been enough.
I’ve often thought there should be an industry-wide plan to address this enormous injustice. Considering that our business prides itself on its progressive ideals and commitments to social justice, I’ve waited, thinking we would eventually put some type of sustained tithing in place — some initiative that would allow us all to redirect a portion of our revenue to the communities that have been deprived of it. I’ve resisted being the one to initiate such a plan for reasons I find unpersuasive now. I feel it’s important to pledge my personal commitment to paying this debt, and to publicly ask every one of my peers to work toward doing the same.
What I propose going forward is a program that allows songwriters and musicians to direct a percentage of their “writer’s share” revenue to organizations that assist and support Black communities. This could take the shape of a box to check on rights management contracts, putting it at the foundation of our business. Or it could take another shape entirely. I don’t possess the expertise to manifest this initiative, but I can begin to do my part by committing 5% of my writer revenue to organizations that are working toward racial justice, which include but are not limited to Movement for Black Lives and Black Women’s Blueprint.
To BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, and all other organizations that collect and disburse songwriter’s royalties, I ask you to please investigate a way to implement such a program. To industry leaders: please join me in forming a coalition. My small contribution alone is a sincere but insufficient gesture. Hundreds of us joining together could provide some tremendous relief. Thousands of us committing to a reparations initiative could change our business and the world we live in. Black Lives Matter. Thank you.
– Jeff Tweedy
Our Front of House series on nugs.net will explore Wilco’s 25+ years of live catalog, past and present. The series includes exclusive recordings and in-depth show notes.
This month’s addition to Wilco’s Front of House series features the band at The Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI circa 2002.
Check it out here.
photo by Richie Wireman
Wilco’s summer tour dates have been postponed.
We are working hard to reschedule postponed tour dates for 2021, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate these waters.
For the most up-to-date information check our shows page.
When new dates are confirmed you’ll be the first to know and your current ticket will be honored at the door. For additional ticketing questions, included information on refunds, please contact your point of purchase.
A new Wilco song called “Tell Your Friends” is available for immediate download with a charitable contribution via Bandcamp.
Watch the band perform the song with their families here.
Donations will go directly to World Central Kitchen, an organization working across America to safely distribute fresh meals in communities that need support.
“We miss each other. So we wrote a song about it to sing with each other, to sing to each other.” – Jeff Tweedy
“There is and was only one Daniel and to be able to work with him and help present his music was a huge honor for me and the band, one for which we are all very thankful.” – Jeff Tweedy
Daniel Johnston’s final album, Chicago 2017, is available now via Wilco’s own dBpm Records: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music
Profits from this release will be donated to the Johnston family’s “Hi How Are You” Foundation for the study and treatment of mental illness and addiction recovery.
Previously out-of-print, Pat’s book “100 Polaroids” is now available for preorder. A portion of proceeds will be donated to MusiCares.
“10 years ago I put together this book to commemorate an exhibit at the first Solid Sound Festival… an exhibit of 100 photographs chosen from the thousands I had taken in the previous few years. I had just begun to look at preparing this reprint when COVID emerged, and was on the fence about whether or not to move forward with the endeavor. But I decided that I’d rather continue to stay involved in creative pursuits and share it with others…”
Available to preorder here.
We’d rather be at a record store, that’s for sure.
Our indie friends are taking a hit. And while we agree nothing beats flipping through the bins, we encourage you to check in with your local record store to see if you can peruse their inventory online. Many shops are even offering curbside pick-up for new, used and collectable vinyl, CDs and more. Record Store Day has compiled a helpful list to get you started. After all, “without these stores, there’s just no way Wilco would still be around.” – Jeff Tweedy
And if you already own the Wilco catalog, browse a sampling of the band’s latest recommendations featured on this playlist.
Photo credit: Huckberry
The Raccoonists (Jeff, Spencer and Sammy Tweedy) reunited to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live From His House.
Watch the Tweedy’s sing “Evergreen” from Jeff’s album WARMER here.
In December, amid Wilco’s Winterlude residency in Chicago, the band played a surprise show – followed by a Q+A with Jeff moderated by TJ Jagodowski – from the CAA’s vintage basketball court.
During these strange times, we hope this is a welcome distraction.
Watch in full here.
Wilco and Sleater-Kinney. The tour we’ve been waiting for is on sale now.
We look forward to seeing you in Spokane, Big Sky, MT, Denver*, Kansas City*, Saint Louis*, ATL*, Nashville*, Asheville*, Richmond*, Columbia, MD*, NYC*, Philly*, Boston*, Portland, ME*, Buffalo NY* and Chicago*. For more info.
* dates include special guest NNAMDI
Wilco’s first trip to Mexico was a downright success.
We had a lot of fun, and we hope you did, too. Check out the recap video from Sky Blue Sky to relive your favorite moments.
Plus, download full live recordings of the Wilco sets via the Wilco Store Roadcase Series.
Photo by Josh Timmermans
Wilco’s 11th studio album is available now, in stores, online and on streaming services.
Ode to Joy features 11 new songs including the single, “Love is Everywhere.”
Happy Listening!
Wilco’s 2019 Chicago Winterlude Residency was one for the books. You can relive it now via our Roadcase series in the Wilco Store.
Wilco X Field Notes
Six unique, durable, made-in-the-USA, 48-Page Graph Paper Memo Books, each one designed by a different artist in collaboration with a Wilco.
Available now and ready for your ideas, setlists and meeting notes.
Now Playing: A new music video (feat. Wilco) for “Everyone Hides,” the second single from Ode to Joy.
Watch as the band plays the ultimate game of hide-and-seek around Chicago.
For the Wilco collector: We created a beautiful hand-crafted autographed deluxe edition of Ode to Joy that includes and hand-numbered pop-up art book paired with a 180g vinyl. To see more of the process, watch the video below. Available for purchase here.
Bundle up with WARM and WARMER. Jeff’s latest solo albums now available together in one package.
US Wilco Store | EU Wilco Store
Read liner notes from George Saunders and watch the video for the lead single “Some Birds” now via The New Yorker.
Get an inside look into the recording sessions for Ode to Joy via new video for “Before Us,” filmed by Zoran Orlic.