Tweedy perform live in The Current studio
by Mary Lucia, Leah Garaas and Tweedy
March 09, 2015
Ahead of a sold out gig at First Avenue, Tweedy (Jeff Tweedy and son Spencer) stopped by The Current studio to chat with host Mary Lucia and to perform tracks off their debut album Sukierae.
On recording Sukierae: "It [recording] was a very enjoyable process." ... "My wife's been dealing with some health issues and it [the album] turned out to be this really fortunate coincidence that this project was started and it ended up being, 'Boy, is this the most ideal time for this to be happening,' because we can really relax and take a little bit of pressure off."
On collaborating with his son Spencer: "[I knew wanted to be in a band with Spencer] probably the first time I figured out that he could play in time and keep a beat with me. We did start a band I think when you [to Spencer] were five or six years old. We had a band called Raccoonists and it's still an ongoing project. We have a really elusive lead singer, Spencer's little brother Sammy who is the Sinatra of noise vocalists." "We're pretty underground," says Spencer.
On his relationship with Mavis Staples after producing her two latest records: "We really hit it off. We felt really comfortable together pretty quickly." ... "We've just gotten to be closer and closer. She calls Sammy and Spencer her grandchildren. She thinks of my wife [Sukierae] as her daughter."
Listen to the full in-studio to hear Jeff and Mary chat more about producing Mavis and Pops Staples' records, his first memory of Minneapolis, Midwestern life and the bright side to alienation.
Songs Performed
"Summer Noon"
"World Apart"
"Low Key"
All songs off Tweedy's debut album Sukierae, out now on Jeff's own dBpm Records.
Hosted by Mary Lucia
Produced by Lindsay Kimball
Engineered by Mike DeMark
Web feature by Leah Garaas
