Shoving Wilco
Shoving Wilco
Todd Rossnagel
Welcome to "Shoving Wilco," a podcast dedicated to celebrating the music of one of the most influential American bands, Wilco. Wilco has been making music for nearly three decades, blending elements of country, rock, alternative, and folk to create a unique sound that has captivated fans around the world. In this podcast, we'll delve into the stories behind the songs, explore the creative process of the band, and celebrate the enduring impact of Wilco's music. Shoving Wilco is hosted by award-winning podcaster Todd Rossnagel.
Covering Wilco: Dream Versions, Wild Ideas, and One Perfect Listener Email
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 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 nightmare.We talk about what makes a cover transcendent, why some songs seem built to be reinterpreted, and how Wilco’s catalog invites dialogue across genres and generations.As always, it’s less about settling debates and more about loving the music, thinking out loud, and continuing the long tradition of shoving Wilco onto friends, family, and anyone willing to listen.Listener ideas welcome. Voice memos encouraged. Got an idea? Email us: [email protected]
Mar 10
21 min
Pat Sansone: Listening to the Light
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 on his work with Wilco, his syndicated radio show Baroque Down Palace, and his passion for film photography. He shares how observation, patience, and gratitude shape both his images and his songs, and why creativity, at its best, feels a little like “flailing closer to God.”It’s a deep dive into harmony, memory, and the quiet joy of making art that endures — from the studio to the stage to the backroads of Mississippi.Check out Here and Nowhere by The Autumn DefenseCheck out Pat's photographyCheck out Baroque Down Palace, Pat's radio show
Oct 21, 2025
49 min
Twilight Override: Jeff Tweedy’s Triple Album with Mike Conklin
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. Read Conklin's article here. Together, they discuss the making of Twilight Override, the interplay of family and community at The Loft, the songs that linger long after the last chord, and what it means for Jeff to treat creativity as a way of life.Todd mentioned All Songs Considered; Robin Hilton interviews Jeff. Head here to listen to it.
Sep 25, 2025
32 min
Wilco for Audiophiles: A Conversation with Steve Westman
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 favorite Wilco albums ON VINYL. The list is below, with links to Discogs! Steve's Picks (in no order):AM, 2025 Rhino HiFiBeing There, 2017 DeluxeSummerteeth, 2020 DeluxeYankee Hotel Foxtrot, 2022 Deluxe. Todd's choice: for YHF: 2002 European PressingA Ghost is Born, 2025 ReissueSky Blue Sky, 2007 MasterKicking Television, 2010 RSD ReleaseTodd's Picks (in no order):Cruel Country, 2023 OGThe Whole Love, 2024 Reissue Schmilco, 2016 OG (do not sleep on the Schmilco release)
Sep 19, 2025
47 min
The Mystery and Honesty of Wilco’s Words
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.
Sep 9, 2025
28 min
The Wilco Welcome Kit
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.
Jul 18, 2025
31 min
Behind the Album Covers: Wilco’s Visual Identity
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 favorite Wilco album covers and what they mean to you in the comments.Check out Matt's latest poster design - a super cool glow-in-the-dark poster!
May 30, 2025
30 min
The Song Was Written for Me (And Maybe You Too)
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 Tweedy’s lyrical honesty, and explore what Yankee Hotel Foxtrot sounded like in a post-9/11 New York City—where Chris was front row at the band’s legendary shows.This one’s for the vinyl nerds, the alt-country lifers, and anyone who has ever felt like Tweedy wrote a song just for them.
Apr 24, 2025
32 min
A Conversation with Mikael Jorgensen
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 all over your music library, whether you realize it or not.Follow Mikael on Substack here. Have an idea for the show? Email us: [email protected]
Mar 31, 2025
42 min
The Kintsugi of Wilco – Breaking and Rebuilding with Saby Reyes-Kulkarni
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, and what three songs he’d choose to introduce someone to the band.Join us for a deep dive into Wilco’s creative process, where the cracks aren’t flaws—they’re where the gold seeps in.Follow Saby on Substack.
Feb 28, 2025
43 min
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