Shoving Wilco

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...

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...

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....

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 con...

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...

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...

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 r...

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 p...

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...

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...

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 songwr...

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,...

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 cou...

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 T...

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 performa...

In this episode of the Shoving Wilco podcast, host Todd Rossnagel and co-host Tim Arnold sit down with Peter Blackstock, co-founder of the influential music magazine No Depression. Peter shares his experiences from the early days of the magazine and its deep connections with the alt-country movement that Wilco helped define. From the origins of the No Depression name to the critical role the magaz...

One conversation is not enough! Greg Kot is back by popular demand. We hop into the time machine and discuss what was happening in Wilco world thirty years ago this summer. We discuss the break-up of Uncle Tupelo, the recording of AM, and the eventual recording of Being There. Greg also shares a song he wishes Wilco would cover. The answer might just surprise you. Greg Kot was the former rock crit...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco , we dive into an engaging conversation with Al Shipley, a music journalist who recently ranked all Wilco albums for Spin magazine . Al passionately argues for Sky Blue Sky as the best Wilco album, and he takes us through his thought process behind this ranking. Throughout the discussion, we explore various aspects of Wilco's expansive discography, touching on...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, host Todd Rossnagel shares his thoughts on the Deep Cuts show at the 2024 Solid Sound. Dara Weyna called in to the show to share her thoughts, as well. Dara is at her first Solid Sound and shares more about the experience. If you are at Solid Sound, we hope you are having a fantastic time!

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, hosts Todd Rossnagel and Tim Arnold review the new Wilco EP, Hot Sun Cool Shroud. The new EP came out on June 28th, and the hosts wasted no time jumping into the studio and sharing their thoughts. Are you at Solid Sound? Do you have a comment for the show? Leave us a message on the Shoving Wilco hotline (225) 286-1986 or email the show, ShovingWilco@gmail.com

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, we visit with Dara Weyna, a huge Wilco fan and a dedicated listener of The Shoving Wilco podcast. Dara shares her journey to becoming a huge fan of the band and how she believes, "There's a Wilco song for anything." She and Todd discuss the joy of raising kids on Wilco and how the band's music has become a soundtrack for her entire family. Dara a...

In this episode of Shoving Wilco, hosts Todd Rossnagel and Tim Arnold dive into the latest developments in the world of Wilco - the announcement of new music! No, they don't have a sneak listen but - hey - let's talk about it! Been a minute since we've had an EP! Todd and Tim have been away from the pod for a little bit, so they re-connect on a few older topics that were headlines this...

And it all comes down to this! You've voted and the results are in - the Final Four songs of the All-Time, Indisputable, totally-Your-Own Opinion, Greatest Songs of Wilco Bracket. Host Todd Rossnagel and Tim Arnold break down the final four songs, how they got to the championship round and what they all have in common! We want to thank WXRT's Marty Lennartz for dropping us a voice memo, an...

Click here for the bracket! In this episode of the "Shoving Wilco" podcast, hosts Todd Rossnagel and Tim Arnold provide an update on the ongoing competition: The All-Time, Indisputable, Totally-Your-Own-Opinion, Greatest Songs of Wilco Bracket . Having concluded two thrilling rounds, we've seen a blend of anticipated victories alongside some remarkable upsets. Todd and Tim dissect th...