I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (film)
Encyclopedia
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco is a black-and-white
documentary film
by Sam Jones which follows the American alt-country rock band Wilco
through the creation and distribution of their fourth studio album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
. The film provides a unique insight into the politics of bands and their record labels, as well as an inside look at Wilco during the creation of what many critics describe as a landmark album. The title of the film shares its name with the first track of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
, a division of the Warner Music Group
. Wilco's prior albums hadn't performed to Reprise's sales expectations and Reprise were concerned with how to market the new album. They consequently rejected the work and dropped Wilco from the label.
With a completed album and no contractual obligations to Reprise, Wilco made the album available to download on their website. Awareness of the new album became apparent and Wilco's profile was rising. In response, another record label, Nonesuch Records
, offered Wilco a new record contract. Nonesuch Records is a division of Warner Music Group, like Reprise, so Wilco were essentially paid twice for the album by the same record company.
Other scenes depicted the breakdown of the relationship between members Jeff Tweedy
and Jay Bennett
, and Tweedy's debilitating migraines.
Disc 1
Disc 2
Plus:
All songs written by Jeff Tweedy, except as noted *, written by Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
by Sam Jones which follows the American alt-country rock band Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
through the creation and distribution of their fourth studio album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the fourth album by Chicago-based rock band Wilco. The album was completed in 2001, but Reprise Records, a Warner Music Group label, refused to release it. Wilco acquired the rights to the album when they left the label. In September 2001, Wilco streamed the entire album...
. The film provides a unique insight into the politics of bands and their record labels, as well as an inside look at Wilco during the creation of what many critics describe as a landmark album. The title of the film shares its name with the first track of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
Overview
With Wilco nearing completion of their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, conflict arose between the band and its record label RepriseReprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
, a division of the Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
. Wilco's prior albums hadn't performed to Reprise's sales expectations and Reprise were concerned with how to market the new album. They consequently rejected the work and dropped Wilco from the label.
With a completed album and no contractual obligations to Reprise, Wilco made the album available to download on their website. Awareness of the new album became apparent and Wilco's profile was rising. In response, another record label, Nonesuch Records
Nonesuch Records
Nonesuch Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed by Warner Bros. Records.-Company history:Nonesuch was founded in 1964 by Jac Holzman to produce "fine records at the same price as a trade paperback", which would be half the price of a normal LP...
, offered Wilco a new record contract. Nonesuch Records is a division of Warner Music Group, like Reprise, so Wilco were essentially paid twice for the album by the same record company.
Other scenes depicted the breakdown of the relationship between members Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy
Jeffrey Scot "Jeff" Tweedy is an American songwriter, musician and leader of the band Wilco. Tweedy joined rockabilly band The Plebes with high school friend Jay Farrar in the early 1980s, but Tweedy's musical interests caused one of Farrar's brothers to quit...
and Jay Bennett
Jay Bennett
Jay Walter Bennett was an American guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, engineer, producer, and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Wilco.-Early life and work with Wilco:...
, and Tweedy's debilitating migraines.
Film festival screenings
The film was submitted to and selected as part of the 'Official Selections of the Los Angeles, London and Stockholm International Film Festivals in 2002.DVD releases
(Note that there are two versions of the film on DVD: The original two-disc set, and a newer version which omits Disc 2 and is generally less expensive.)Disc 1
- The film (digital transfer, 16x9 anamorphic presentation)
- Feature commentary from director Sam Jones and Wilco
- Original theatrical trailer
- English subtitles for the hearing impaired
Disc 2
- Over 70 minutes of extra footage, featuring 17 additional Wilco songs, alternate versions of songs from Yankee Hotel FoxtrotYankee Hotel FoxtrotYankee Hotel Foxtrot is the fourth album by Chicago-based rock band Wilco. The album was completed in 2001, but Reprise Records, a Warner Music Group label, refused to release it. Wilco acquired the rights to the album when they left the label. In September 2001, Wilco streamed the entire album...
, live concert performances and new unreleased songs - I Am Trying To Make A Film making-of featurette
Plus:
- Deluxe 40-page booklet with filmmaker's diary, exclusive photos and liner notes from Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
's David FrickeDavid FrickeDavid Fricke is a senior editor at Rolling Stone magazine, where he writes predominantly on rock music. In the 1990s, he was managing editor before stepping down.-Background:David Fricke is a graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
DVD Disc 2 bonus track listing
- "Pot Kettle Black" *
- "Busy Bee Monkey Song" (also known as "Monkey Mess")
- "Why Would You Wanna Live"Being There (album)Being There is the second album by Chicago-based rock band Wilco. Despite its release as a nineteen-song double album, Being There was sold at a single album price due to a deal between lead singer Jeff Tweedy and Reprise Records...
- "Pieholden Suite" *
- "Acuff-Rose"Acuff-Rose MusicAcuff-Rose Music was an American music publishing firm formed by Roy Acuff and Fred Rose in Nashville, Tennessee. Acuff-Rose's honest behavior towards their writers set them apart from other music publishing firms at the time and lead them to fame throughout the 50's, 60's, 70's.-History:Acuff-Rose...
- "Please Tell My Brother"
- "Cars Can't Escape" *
- "I'm the Man Who Loves You" *
- "Magazine Called Sunset"
- "Wait Up"
- "Radio Cure" *
- "Monday"
- "Not for the Season"
- "Sunken Treasure"
All songs written by Jeff Tweedy, except as noted *, written by Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett