Episodes

What does Wilco look like through the eyes of a young fan? In this episode of Shoving Wilco, Todd sits down with his second cousin, Charlie Archambault—a passionate young Wilco fan who has built his life around the band's music, traveled to countless shows, and recently experienced his first Solid Sound Festival. Charlie shares the surprising story of how he discovered Wilco, why the band's music resonates with a younger generation, and what keeps him coming back. The conversation also dives i...

Tim Arnold hops into the hosting chair and interviews Todd, who is in North Adams, Mass for Solid Sound. We want your Solid Sound stories and would love to hear form you, drop us a line: shovingwilco@gmial.com

Todd is headed to his first Solid Sound Festival, so he calls on returning guest Dara Weyna — who experienced it for the first time in 2024 — to explain why Wilco’s Massachusetts weekend feels unlike any other festival. They talk MASS MoCA, surprise museum sets, meeting online friends in real life, and the particular joy of being surrounded by thousands of people who already speak Wilco! They also dig into the historic Wilco and Billy Bragg Mermaid Avenue performance, sharing the songs they mos...

Special Note: This episode is not new; it was deleted by the Spotify robots due to the usage of music, but we wanted it to stay in the library because the idea for the episode came from a listener, and we love that. So, here it is - back in the library - new episodes coming soon! ____ What happens when you flip one of our favorite questions on its head? In this episode, Todd Rossnagel and co-host Tim Arnold respond to a listener challenge from fan of the show Dave Schwind: instead of picking ...

What happens when you flip one of our favorite questions on its head? In this episode, Todd Rossnagel and co-host Tim Arnold respond to a listener challenge from fan of the show Dave Schwind: instead of picking songs they want Wilco to cover, they imagine which artists should be covering Wilco. From Beck tackling “Sunken Treasure” to Paul McCartney reimagining “Sonny Feeling,” from Dead & Company stretching out on “Kingpin” to Sturgill Simpson turning “Bull Black Nova” into a fuzz-drenched nig...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, Todd sits down with returning guest Saby Reyes-Kulkarni (PopMatters, Pitchfork, SPIN, Billboard) to unpack the artistic surge happening around Jeff Tweedy’s new triple album and unexpectedly expansive solo tour. What began as a side project now feels like a fully realized creative chapter — one defined by intimacy, vulnerability, sharper storytelling, and a renewed spark onstage. If Jeff’s recent work has felt different to you — deeper, looser, funnier, more im...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, Todd sits down with returning guest Saby Reyes-Kulkarni (PopMatters, Pitchfork, SPIN, Billboard) to unpack the artistic surge happening around Jeff Tweedy’s new triple album and unexpectedly expansive solo tour. What began as a side project now feels like a fully realized creative chapter — one defined by intimacy, vulnerability, sharper storytelling, and a renewed spark onstage. If Jeff’s recent work has felt different to you — deeper, looser, funnier, more im...

Pat Sansone has always lived at the intersection of melody and meaning. In this episode, Pat joins the show to talk about the long-awaited return of The Autumn Defense, the harmony-rich project he shares with John Stirratt. We trace the new record’s roots through years of friendship, shared playlists, and late-night rediscovery — and back even further to Pat’s Mississippi upbringing, where R.E.M. and Big Star first expanded his sense of what Southern music could be. Along the way, Pat reflects ...

Pat Sansone has always lived at the intersection of melody and meaning. In this episode, Pat joins the show to talk about the long-awaited return of The Autumn Defense, the harmony-rich project he shares with John Stirratt. We trace the new record’s roots through years of friendship, shared playlists, and late-night rediscovery — and back even further to Pat’s Mississippi upbringing, where R.E.M. and Big Star first expanded his sense of what Southern music could be. Along the way, Pat reflects ...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, Todd and Tim are joined by Mike Conklin, executive editor of InsideHook, to unpack Jeff Tweedy’s sprawling new triple album, Twilight Override. Conklin has spoken with every member of Jeff’s solo band — Spencer, Sammy, Sima Cunningham, Macie Stewart, and Liam Kazar — as well as Jeff himself, to explore how this group has quietly become as much of a creative constant for Tweedy as Wilco. Together, they discuss the making of Twilight Override, the interplay of f...

On this episode of Shoving Wilco, Todd welcomes YouTube creator Steve Westman. Known for his channel The Audiophiles, Westman has built a reputation for his deep dives into vinyl pressings, mastering engineers, and the joy of record collecting. Together, they unpack what it means to experience Wilco on vinyl—why pressing quality matters, which engineers have shaped the sound we love, and how the physical medium continues to bring listeners closer to the band’s music. They also discuss their fa...

On this episode of Shoving Wilco, we sit down with Canadian singer-songwriter Kalle Mattson to talk about Jeff Tweedy’s songwriting. Kalle breaks down what makes Tweedy’s lyrics stand out, from surreal fragments to plainspoken truths. We explore how Wilco has shaped his own music and teaching, and why the songs of Wilco continue to cut so deep. If you care about how Wilco’s words work—and why they matter—this is an episode you don’t want to miss. For more on Kalle, head to his website.

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, Todd and Tim are joined by Dara Weyna and Chad Brooks for a conversation that you've probably had! What three Wilco songs would you play for someone who’s never heard the band? It’s a deceptively tricky question—one that reveals personal favorites, unexpected picks, and the many eras and sounds of Wilco. Whether you're introducing a friend to the band or rediscovering the songs yourself, this episode is for anyone who's ever tried to explain why Wilco matters.

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, we sit down with music journalist and author Bob Mehr to explore the HiFi resurrection of Wilco’s debut album, A.M.. Thirty years after its original release, A.M. is getting the audiophile treatment as part of Rhino’s HiFi series — and it's never sounded better. Bob joins us to talk about the making of the album, his liner notes for the reissue, and how A.M., once seen as a modest debut, now shines with new dimension and clarity. Go here to get the record. B...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, we're thrilled to sit down once again with artist Matthew Pfahlert , who brings a unique perspective to the iconic world of Wilco’s album covers. Matthew, renowned for his poster designs for Wilco, dives deep into the visual storytelling that accompanies each album. We explore our favorite covers, unpack what makes them uniquely powerful, and reflect on how each piece of album art encapsulates the essence of Wilco. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, host Todd Rossnagel sits down with fellow Wilco devotee and music industry veteran Chris Campbell, whose YouTube channel is a treasure trove of insight on vinyl, alt-country, and, of course, Wilco. Todd and Chris dive deep into how Wilco arrived in their lives at the perfect time, with Chris tracing his journey from Uncle Tupelo to Being There, Summerteeth, and beyond. They swap personal connections to songs like “How to Fight Loneliness,” reflect on Jeff Tweed...

On this episode of Shoving Wilco, hosts Todd Rossnagel and Tim Arnold sit down with Wilco’s longtime keyboardist, Mikael Jorgensen. From his early days joining the band to what it's like prepping for a major tour, Mikael shares stories from the road and behind the keys. We dive into his musical influences, what’s currently spinning on his playlist, the value of listening to music with a crowd, and a fascinating documentary he's producing about jazz legend Bob James — a man whose fingerprints are...

What happens when a band tears apart its own music only to rebuild it into something even more powerful? Music journalist Saby Reyes-Kulkarni (PopMatters, Pitchfork, SPIN, Billboard) joins us to explore Wilco’s art of deconstruction—how their A Ghost Is Born reissue reveals new layers of the band’s sonic evolution. We discuss the delicate balance between melody and chaos and Jeff Tweedy’s songwriting genius. Saby also weighs in on the live Wilco experience, the mythology of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot...

Wilco’s A Ghost Is Born is an album wrapped in mystery, experimentation, and one of the most strikingly simple album covers in rock history—a single white egg. In this episode, we sit down with photographer Michael Schmelling, the creative mind behind the iconic image, to explore the story behind its creation. We dig into Jeff Tweedy’s curiosity about whether an egg had ever graced an album cover, Walter Sear’s belief that the egg is "the greatest marketing package of all time," and the deeper...

Two-time Grammy-winning writer Bob Mehr joins the show to take us inside the making of A Ghost Is Born and the long-awaited deluxe edition box set, which arrives February 7, 2025. Mehr, who penned the liner notes for this box, as well as the Yankee box, shares inside stories and his insight into the iconic album, including the creative chaos that shaped A Ghost is Born. This massive box set—available as either nine vinyl LPs and four CDs or nine CDs—features the original album, alternate takes...

In this episode, hosts Todd Rossnagel and Tim Arnold share what they have listened to in 2024. Todd shares some new artists that caught his attention, and Tim shares some artists that might not be new, but they might be new to you! Here's a Spotify playlist with everything we mentioned. And here's the list: Bob Dylan The Barr Brothers Dr. Dog Lo Moon Wild Pink Wunderhorse Autumn Defense And of course, Wilco Todd's 24 in 2024 is here. What did you listen to? Email the show: shovingwi...

In this episode, Todd Rossnagel and Tim Arnold dive into the exciting news of the upcoming 20th-anniversary deluxe edition of Wilco's iconic album A Ghost Is Born. They explore what we know so far about the reissue, including the promise of previously unreleased tracks and live recordings and why this announcement has reignited enthusiasm for one of Wilco’s boldest artistic statements. Todd and Tim also take a nostalgic journey through the album itself, reflecting on its groundbreaking experime...

Join hosts Todd Rossnagel and Tim Arnold as they take a deep dive into a pivotal moment in Wilco history: their very first live show on November 17, 1994, at Cicero’s in St. Louis. Performing as "Black Shampoo," Wilco debuted their sound with a setlist that included early classics like "I Must Be High." In this special episode, Todd and Tim celebrate the 30th anniversary of this legendary performance, sharing rare audio clips, behind-the-scenes insights, and reflections on how this night helped...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, Todd, and Tim dive into the analog warmth and timeless allure of vinyl records, specifically Wilco’s discography on wax. Joined by Mark Shaw, Jr., a vinyl aficionado who has meticulously studied Wilco’s records, they explore the nuances that make vinyl a unique listening experience. Mark shares insights from his “shootout” of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, comparing all eight pressings to uncover the best of the best. Together, they unpack why vinyl brings Wilco’s mus...