Jeff Tweedy

Jeff Tweedy

Jeff Tweedy is an American singer-songwriter, musician and poet from Belleville, United States, born in 1967. He is best known for his work with Wilco, and his recording and performing career spans alternative country, alternative rock and rock.

Early bands and Uncle Tupelo

Tweedy begins his career in the early 1980s, when he joins the rockabilly band The Plebes with his high school friend Jay Farrar. The group later changes its name to The Primitives in 1984 and then becomes Uncle Tupelo. Uncle Tupelo is one of the key bands in the alternative country scene, and Tweedy is part of its early development.

Wilco and other groups

He is best known as a member of Wilco, and he is also a member of Boxhead Ensemble, Coffee Creek, Loose Fur, Golden Smog, The Raccoonists and Tweedy. Golden Smog is an occasional collective with a shifting line-up that also includes musicians from The Jayhawks, Soul Asylum and The Replacements. Loose Fur includes Jim O'Rourke and Glenn Kotche, who is also a member of Wilco.

Collaborations and writing

Tweedy works with Billy Bragg on the albums Mermaid Avenue and Mermaid Avenue Vol II, which set lyrics by Woody Guthrie to new music. He is also identified as a poet, adding writing to his musical work.

Style and labels

His work is associated with alternative country, alternative rock, rock, indie, folk and americana. He is linked with Words Ampersand Music.