It's funny what Jeff says about the meet-and-greet, because I had the exact same experience recently, but from the other side of the fan-artist relationship. I went to see Josh Rouse (whom I first became a fan of when he opened for Wilco back in '98 or '99 in support of his first album) at a very small venue (about 150 seats). After the show, he came out to chat with folks. He lives in Spain and doesn't tour in the U.S. very often, so it would be a rare opportunity to say hello (and I've never met him or interacted with him in any context). But, as I stood there, watching him have conversations with other people and waiting for my turn, and trying to think of what to say, it felt incredibly awkward and eventually I just left.
It was probably for the best because the most interesting thing I thought I might bring up was to tell him that I played one of his songs at my cat's funeral. I figure he probably gets people telling him every week that they played one of his songs at their wedding or some other festive event, but it's probably only a few times a year that he hears that his song was part of the program at a cat's funeral, so he might think it was weird.
For the record, no Wilco was played at either of my cats' funerals, although "Hate It Here" did make me cry the first time I listened to it after the first cat died.
I completely understand the awkwardness of those forced meetings. As someone on the other side of the “relationship”, I would never know what to say in that tiny window of time, sandwiched between other people who try to express their deepest feelings in 30 seconds. If I’m in a social setting and can talk freely to someone without feeling a sense of urgency, it’s great. But I can’t say I ever remember lining up after a show to meet someone. My feeling has always been that a “famous person”--well-known musician, actor, etc.--is just someone who chose a different line of work than I did. I’m not a fan of calling myself a fan. I don’t like the hierarchy that seems to imply. I’ve never met you, though I’ve been at the rail in front of you more times than I can count. I have an immense appreciation for you as a musician and a person, and I’m pretty sure we could sit down and have a great conversation. That’s a mutual interaction. But those organic discussions don’t come from situations like meet and greets. I love live shows more than anything, and the connections made when there isn’t anyone between me and the musicians. Even though we don’t speak to one another, sharing that moment is, for me, way more special than sharing words.
I finally got into Bean Club (unsuspectingly off the wait list, like Susie said) I feel like, a year after it was mentioned on The Tweedy Show. The beans are yes, awesome and now I just spend my life evangelizing about bein’ in a bean club. Bean Clerb 4 Lyfe
Can relate to the introvert’s desire for one on one style of meaningful conversation vs chit chat. (Oops. I didn’t mean to say chit chat. No offense. Rather idle chatter. )
Holy shit! This is so content-rich!! Absolutely love hearing the honesty in the last question. Your understanding of the weird dynamic between fan and artist is spot on for me. The knowing/not knowing is complicated. Navigating it cannot be fun. That’s why having these other avenues --books, Substack, etc.-- is so great for us. So much insight into who you are. Grateful for all. ☮️
Yay! Thank you, Tweedy's. I'm on the Rancho Gordo waitlist! Who knew that one day I would be thrilled at the prospect of getting a surprise box of heirloom beans (some of them the size of dinner plates!) in the mail! 😂 You guys are the best! ❤️
I totally get the not wanting to be part of the meet and greet thing. I see it every year at my cartoonists events. Not that ANYONE is lining up for me. There are always groups of people surrounding the Sergio Argones, Gary Trudeau, Jim Davis .... and I have forgone meeting some of my cartooning heroes by not wanting to be part of it. It's awkward to me on the other side. I see some of them go to a corner so they can talk to their friends and avoid the situation. It's hard to blame them. Not curmudgeons! Just wanting real interactions. People find it hard to believe that I have never met a Wilco. That's kinda part of it.
I remember meeting the band (sans Jeff) after the Brown University show in 2006 and everyone was pretty chill, but then Jeff came out of nowhere and in a louder than normal voice said “look at that woman’s head. It’s huge!” He was pointing across the way to a high rise apartment building where the blinds were open and you could see that woman’s “huge” head on the tv screen. We all laughed. Plus, someone gave Glenn a copy of A.M. to sign which made him make a funny face and a shrug to the fans looking on in disbelief.
Jeff talking about keeping a quiet voice after a show made me think of this immediately.
1. Rancho Gordo beans are the BOMB. You can order beans on their website without being a club member and follow their owner Steve Sando @rancho_gordo on IG for food ideas and positivity. Perhaps you had the Christmas Lima beans which are HUGE, delicious and gorgeous with the variegated colors. 2. Film - how do J&S feel about Being There - feel it would get some love. 3. The curmudgeon rant is amazing and wonder if the curmudgeonly-ness or David-eske moments have lessened due to COVID (but perhaps are now on the rise again). Thank you Captain and The Admiral (Susie) for all this love and fun and for all you do to make others less curmudgeonly.
The Rancho Gordo Bean Club is one of my very favorite things! It’s sublime. I got the Cool Beans cookbook recently and everything we’ve made from it has been 😍!
Curmudgeon conversation could be its own Substack 💟
It's funny what Jeff says about the meet-and-greet, because I had the exact same experience recently, but from the other side of the fan-artist relationship. I went to see Josh Rouse (whom I first became a fan of when he opened for Wilco back in '98 or '99 in support of his first album) at a very small venue (about 150 seats). After the show, he came out to chat with folks. He lives in Spain and doesn't tour in the U.S. very often, so it would be a rare opportunity to say hello (and I've never met him or interacted with him in any context). But, as I stood there, watching him have conversations with other people and waiting for my turn, and trying to think of what to say, it felt incredibly awkward and eventually I just left.
It was probably for the best because the most interesting thing I thought I might bring up was to tell him that I played one of his songs at my cat's funeral. I figure he probably gets people telling him every week that they played one of his songs at their wedding or some other festive event, but it's probably only a few times a year that he hears that his song was part of the program at a cat's funeral, so he might think it was weird.
For the record, no Wilco was played at either of my cats' funerals, although "Hate It Here" did make me cry the first time I listened to it after the first cat died.
I completely understand the awkwardness of those forced meetings. As someone on the other side of the “relationship”, I would never know what to say in that tiny window of time, sandwiched between other people who try to express their deepest feelings in 30 seconds. If I’m in a social setting and can talk freely to someone without feeling a sense of urgency, it’s great. But I can’t say I ever remember lining up after a show to meet someone. My feeling has always been that a “famous person”--well-known musician, actor, etc.--is just someone who chose a different line of work than I did. I’m not a fan of calling myself a fan. I don’t like the hierarchy that seems to imply. I’ve never met you, though I’ve been at the rail in front of you more times than I can count. I have an immense appreciation for you as a musician and a person, and I’m pretty sure we could sit down and have a great conversation. That’s a mutual interaction. But those organic discussions don’t come from situations like meet and greets. I love live shows more than anything, and the connections made when there isn’t anyone between me and the musicians. Even though we don’t speak to one another, sharing that moment is, for me, way more special than sharing words.
I finally got into Bean Club (unsuspectingly off the wait list, like Susie said) I feel like, a year after it was mentioned on The Tweedy Show. The beans are yes, awesome and now I just spend my life evangelizing about bein’ in a bean club. Bean Clerb 4 Lyfe
Rancho Gordo Bean website crashing in 3...2..1
Can relate to the introvert’s desire for one on one style of meaningful conversation vs chit chat. (Oops. I didn’t mean to say chit chat. No offense. Rather idle chatter. )
Holy shit! This is so content-rich!! Absolutely love hearing the honesty in the last question. Your understanding of the weird dynamic between fan and artist is spot on for me. The knowing/not knowing is complicated. Navigating it cannot be fun. That’s why having these other avenues --books, Substack, etc.-- is so great for us. So much insight into who you are. Grateful for all. ☮️
The banter between the two of you makes me happy.
Yay! Thank you, Tweedy's. I'm on the Rancho Gordo waitlist! Who knew that one day I would be thrilled at the prospect of getting a surprise box of heirloom beans (some of them the size of dinner plates!) in the mail! 😂 You guys are the best! ❤️
My electrician is Wilko Systems (William Kotowski). Needless to say, he’s awesome and runs a tight ship!
I totally get the not wanting to be part of the meet and greet thing. I see it every year at my cartoonists events. Not that ANYONE is lining up for me. There are always groups of people surrounding the Sergio Argones, Gary Trudeau, Jim Davis .... and I have forgone meeting some of my cartooning heroes by not wanting to be part of it. It's awkward to me on the other side. I see some of them go to a corner so they can talk to their friends and avoid the situation. It's hard to blame them. Not curmudgeons! Just wanting real interactions. People find it hard to believe that I have never met a Wilco. That's kinda part of it.
I remember meeting the band (sans Jeff) after the Brown University show in 2006 and everyone was pretty chill, but then Jeff came out of nowhere and in a louder than normal voice said “look at that woman’s head. It’s huge!” He was pointing across the way to a high rise apartment building where the blinds were open and you could see that woman’s “huge” head on the tv screen. We all laughed. Plus, someone gave Glenn a copy of A.M. to sign which made him make a funny face and a shrug to the fans looking on in disbelief.
Jeff talking about keeping a quiet voice after a show made me think of this immediately.
Even as a fan, meet and greets feel suuuuper awkward. I can’t imagine having to be on the receiving end of it. It sounds exhausting.
All this banter makes me miss the Tweedy Show!
OMG - so LOVE this episode.
1. Rancho Gordo beans are the BOMB. You can order beans on their website without being a club member and follow their owner Steve Sando @rancho_gordo on IG for food ideas and positivity. Perhaps you had the Christmas Lima beans which are HUGE, delicious and gorgeous with the variegated colors. 2. Film - how do J&S feel about Being There - feel it would get some love. 3. The curmudgeon rant is amazing and wonder if the curmudgeonly-ness or David-eske moments have lessened due to COVID (but perhaps are now on the rise again). Thank you Captain and The Admiral (Susie) for all this love and fun and for all you do to make others less curmudgeonly.
off topic, but how about THE 8 NIGHTS OF HANUKKAH WITH WILCO…or 2, 4, 6….one show? JUST A THOUGHT.
The Rancho Gordo Bean Club is one of my very favorite things! It’s sublime. I got the Cool Beans cookbook recently and everything we’ve made from it has been 😍!