Sturgill Simpson Isn’t Being Outlaw. He’s Just Being an Asshole
This story has been updated.
The arena tour pairing Sturgill Simpson with Tyler Childers commences today (2-21) in Birmingham, Alabama, and ahead of the tour, Sturgill Simpson has given a slew of high profile interviews where he’s basically gone scorched earth, discounting his former producer Dave Cobb, fellow Dave Cobb-produced artist Chris Stapleton, his current label Elektra, his previous label Thirty Tigers, as well as many of his fans, his previous persona, his debut solo album High Top Mountain, The Grammy Awards, the entire music industry as a whole, and his give a shits about the upcoming tour that folks have paid their hard earned money to attend.
“We’re going on a damn-near sold out arena tour. This is literally the first time I’ve lifted a finger to fucking promote the record or the tour,” he starts off the interview with Steven Hyden of Uproxx in an article posted on Thursday (2-20).
But this is not true at all.
Sturgill made multiple public appearances and gave numerous interviews ahead of the release of his latest record Sound & Fury and this tour, including an appearance on the biggest podcast in the world, the Joe Rogan Experience on September 30th, 2019 where he announced the tour, an appearance at an anime convention on July 21st of 2019 where he announced the album, and appearance on the Beats 1 podcast with Zane Lowe where he debuted the first song on the album, among other appearances. Sturgill also played a series of club shows on the east and west coast. He also appeared for 1 1/2 hours on the Trillbilly Worker’s Podcast that was released on Sunday (2-16), but perhaps he recording it after the Uproxx interview.
But that’s beside the point. It’s what Sturgill said in the Uproxx interview, and some of what he said on the Trillbilly podcast that has everyone stirred.
Perhaps first and foremost to point out is that it appears Sturgill Simpson is very much lukewarm about this upcoming tour, and the one he played previously, and the new record he’s touring behind for that matter.
As we proceed here, please understand everything is being paraphrased. I’m not going to plagiarize the Uproxx interview, so go read it for the full context.
“So, I got talked into going out, playing a bunch of shows in 2017, when I was already burnt-out and exhausted. I wish I could give anybody’s money back who came to those shows, man, because my head was so far out of that … The worst part now is we made the record and then I spent a year and a half going back to Japan and making the film. So, now I’m completely burnt out on the record. I literally can’t listen to it … It’s very weird now, wrapping my head around the fact that I have to go out and sing these songs every night for 52 shows, because I’m so far out of that headspace that I almost can’t even remember how I got there … I just know that it’s going to be really hard to connect with people that are sitting 300 yards away. I like theaters. You can still rock a theater out. But to me, as a guy who spent so much of his musical life in smaller clubs, it’s going to take me a week or two to wrap my head around.”
So if Sturgill Simpson is ho hum on playing live and in arenas, why did he book the tour? Sturgill also revealed during this specific topic that he had fallen back into substance abuse in 2017, and that he doesn’t ever plan to tour again, at least at this moment. He also later softens his stance on the upcoming tour, a bit at least.
“So, this tour is really a celebration of the music and the fans and everything that’s happened, especially the band. Some way for us to go out and show this music and the creation the respect it deserves. But then, I don’t know that I’ll ever do this again.”
– – – – – – –
Sturgill Simpson then says of his major label deal, “I don’t talk to the record company. It’s really that simple. Or, maybe if you don’t want to be on a record label anymore, you make a record they can’t market, then you get them to spend a million bucks on an animation film and refuse to promote it, and leave them holding this giant un-recouped debt. Maybe the bean counters will make a decision for me. I can go back to just doing it myself better than they do. That’s what I’ve learned. Because they don’t know what the fuck to do with me. I’m done. I’m done. Unless they drop me, I’m done. I’m not going to give them anything ever again, so I guess I’m done.”
But this isn’t an “outlaw” move, this is an asshole move. Throughout this interview, Sturgill Simpson talks about how money has corrupted the music system. But he himself admits to using his major label deal to abscond with a huge signing bonus to pay his way through life, and then purposely dogging their efforts to recoup their investment. This isn’t Big Machine Records. His current label Elektra Records is the same imprint The Highwomen, Brandi Carlile, and Anderson East are on. And Sturgill Simpson taking the big payday and then not trying to live up to his end of the bargain is only going to discourage the label from signing up-and-coming talent in the future who may burn them just like Sturgill Simpson did here. They believed in him, and in his career and expressions, funded them to Sturgill’s benefit, and now his attitude is to tell them to fuck off.
Sturgill Simpson later says, “I’m done working for them. I’m done giving babies away. I equate it to, if you owned a fucking dry cleaners, and it took off, and somebody showed up like, ‘Hey, we want to buy your dry cleaners. You can sit here and run the counter, but we’ll keep all the money.’ Like, what other business model would anybody fucking think that makes sense in? And honestly, I don’t really see what they’ve done that I couldn’t have done myself, probably better. They haven’t delivered on any of their promises, so I’m fucking done there. But they wanted me to promote the tour, so here we are.”
He admits earlier in the interview that he conned them into making a million-dollar anime film and then refused to promote it. So really, who is not living up to their promises here? Most certainly as a major label, Elektra probably is difficult to work with, but Sturgill appears to be provocative here without a lot of motive. He’s speaking candidly, so if Elektra took advantage of him somehow, he certainly would tell us. But it seems to be more about the philosophical approach of the music business as opposed to any specific beef Sturgill Simpson has with the label.
Numerous other asshole moves come up in the interview, including downgrading Chris Stapleton, his record Traveller, and the organic nature of his success.
“But a major label, the people that worry about bottom lines and quarterly reports, they’ll never understand why my career really happened, because that’s not the world they navigate. The following year ‘Traveller’ happened, the Chris Stapleton breakthrough, which was very much an insider thing. Chris is a very talented guy, but that happened because they directly benefited from it.”
He then lashes out at Dave Cobb, who produced both of Sturgill Simpson’s first two records, along with Chris Stapleton’s Traveller, which was directly inspired by Sturgill’s Metamodern Sounds.
“I don’t really ever want to work with a producer again, having done it and knowing what a struggle it can be. Because they all have their agenda, which is trying to make money or sell this commercialized version of what they think you are. [Dave Cobb] worked on ‘Metamodern’ but those songs were carved out when we were on the road, with my band. He got all the credit and career from it, but that’s my album. Anybody that’s heard my last few records, I think it’s pretty fucking clear.”
Continuing, Sturgill also takes additional swipes at Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, and discounts his debut solo album, High Top Mountain.
“In that instance [with High Top Mountain], I definitely felt like there wasn’t really much interest in who I was really wanting to be. So, we made a Waylon Jennings record, and I’ve been trying to shake that shit off ever since. I can’t fucking listen to it. It’s so slick and clean … I can play those songs live and still love them, but I can’t listen to that record. It was a commercial record disguised as a traditional album, and to my ears, it’s just too fucking safe. So, with ‘Metamodern,’ we got real unsafe. I mean, to my eyes, the ‘Traveller’ record Cobb did with Stapleton was a commercial country record disguised as a traditional record. Chris is a phenomenal talent, but live it’s just so much more pleasing to me than what sonically that record was.”
Sturgill also took on the Grammy Awards, and inadvertently, his original label Thirty Tigers.
“All that Grammy shit, that was [the label] trying to get return on investment. I would have never been nominated for Album Of The Year if I put that album out on Thirty Tigers, and I know that for a fucking fact because I know those secret committees exist, and that’s all them trying to service themselves. It really had nothing to do with me … It’s all horseshit. It’s so unimportant.”
A couple of points of clarification are needed here. First, Sturgill Simpson won Grammy Awards. He was carrying his Grammy for Best Country Album when he busked out in front of the CMA Awards in 2017, so it must have meant something to him at the time. But now that same award is meaningless to him, as is the organization that awarded it.
As for these secret committees, it’s a separate issue to be broached in the future, but the reason the members are secret is so that the industry does not lobby them for favors or votes, same as the decision makers for the Country Music Hall of Fame, and many other institutions. Is there corruption in the Grammy system? There likely is. But there is a specific reason the decision makers are kept secret, and it’s to guard against corruption, and for good reason.
As for downgrading the ability for Thirty Tigers artists to attain Grammy Awards, that’s just untrue. Jason Isbell alone has four of them on Thirty Tigers, and Patty Griffin just won one a few weeks ago for Best Folk Album released on Thirty Tigers. Does Sturgill get nominated for the all genre Album of the Year Grammy without a major label deal? Perhaps not. But he also did not win that. Also, Thirty Tigers is one of the few labels that allows artists to own their own masters, and allows artists to leave any time. That is how Sturgill Simpson was able to leave and sign his major deal. If Sturgill thinks the music industry was so evil, why did he leave Thirty Tigers in the first place? Perhaps he’s trying to allude that Thirty Tigers isn’t evil enough to manipulate the Grammy system. But in the effort, he also makes it seem like the label doesn’t have any muscle for its artists when it comes to awards, which simply isn’t true. Jason Isbell was also nominated for a CMA Award on Thirty Tigers—something we thought we’d never see.
But arguably the most troubling comments from Sturgill were not included in the Uproxx interview. They come from his interview on the Trillbillies Podcast, where he admitted that during the Metamodern Sounds era, when he called out the ACMs for disrespecting Merle Haggard, and other such moments, it was all marketing. In other words, he never believed in defending the roots of country music. He was just playing into the image he thought the public wanted from him to sell records.
“If they’re gonna make me be that guy, then I’m just gonna fucking be that guy,” he said of his “Outlaw” attitude of that time. “Because there’s money to be made there too. So I did, I just started taking pisses and shitting every time I opened my mouth, really out of self-amusement.”
In many respects, it was these words and actions by Sturgill Simpson that had Saving Country Music awarding him the Artist of the Year not once, but twice. Now he’s admitting it was just to make money, which Sturgill says is the evil of the music industry? Is all the quotes we’re seeing from the Uproxx and Trillbillies interviews just marketing too?
The saddest part is that many will come to Sturgill Simpson’s defense, praising him as a badass, and a tell-it-like-it-is misanthrope who is refreshing in his honesty. But that’s only if you buy into the idea this isn’t an element of marketing in itself.
Where is the gratefulness from Sturgill Simpson for being able to make a good living and provide for his family through music, which is a privilege, and one that Sturgill Simpson has benefited from more than 99% of other working musicians, including to the point where he can go scorched earth, and doesn’t have to worry about the ramifications because his mortgage is paid on his 150-acre ranch with a house on top of a mountain that was paid for by the same industry he says screwed him over? Where’s the appreciation for all the people who got him to this point, including Dave Cobb and Thirty Tigers who worked with him when he was a nobody, the Grammy Awards which shined a spotlight on him and his career, and the country fans who helped fund his dreams, and the folks who bought a ticket to one of his upcoming shows hoping for a good time?
No doubt that the music business is an evil industry, and Saving Country Music was founded on that very fact. But by attacking Dave Cobb, downgrading Chris Stapleton and Thirty Tigers, lashing out at The Grammy Awards and Elektra Records which bankrolled his album and anime obsession, Sturgill Simpson is burning his own village down. And sure, there are some elements of truth in what he’s saying, which he is exploiting for his own self-gratitude. But after his revelation that he never really gave a shit about country music when he stood up for it, and that it was all an element of marketing, it’s hard to take anything this guy is saying seriously.
This “shitting out of his mouth” to use Sturgill’s own words is not something to be condoned, neither is taking a ho hum attitude towards a tour that fans who don’t have the luxury of telling their bosses off will be spending their hard earned money to attend.
This is all disappointing, and very injurious to the grassroots side of the music industry.
Sam Cody
February 21, 2020 @ 11:16 am
I don’t think that’s ever been in question, has it?
John R Baker
February 21, 2020 @ 11:16 am
Something that struck me watching him on Joe Rogan was that before he was successful he was the kind of guy who liked to bitch about his job and that personality trait never changed when he got a better job.
IMO the current record is pretty decent musically but boring mostly because it’s him bitching about his job.
BanditDarville
February 21, 2020 @ 11:19 am
Cue the fanboys in 3…2…1…
Tex Hex
February 21, 2020 @ 11:20 am
Sturgill’s tortured “martyr” shtick is getting really old, really fast. Fuck’s sake, dude is totally insufferable now. At a certain point you gotta think – maybe it’s not everybody else who sucks, it’s probably just you.
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 12:09 pm
Don’t mean to keep replying to your comments specifically, but martyr was the exact word I was thinking when reading this. Also couldn’t help think that he’s in the cult of victimhood – sort of a product of the times. Its very predictable and, dare I say boring?
All this aside, he lost me at Sailors Guide. Not because it went rock, because I like a lot of rock music, I just didn’t think it was good. When I saw him on that tour I felt like he was just going through the motions with a big chip on his shoulder.
Jerm
February 21, 2020 @ 9:20 pm
Didnt like sailors guide? Lmao. You lost me at that point
Ralph
February 21, 2020 @ 12:47 pm
“If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you’re the asshole.”
Jaimito
February 21, 2020 @ 6:16 pm
Raylan Givens for the win!
Conrad Fisher
February 22, 2020 @ 9:46 am
Agreed. I think its so stupid when artists sign these “deals” and then complain about being taken advantage of. Lawyer up! Know who you are and what you want. Talk to your friends. There’s no such thing as free money. Don’t take a bunch of help from a label and then be surprised when they make demands you aren’t comfortable with. We’ve known the music industry is corrupt for years! In the words of Hunter Thompson, “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.” Take responsibility for where you are in life. Goodness.
Tex Hex
February 22, 2020 @ 1:02 pm
Every part of life is a two-way street. A give and take. From how you deal with your family, your friends, your coworkers, your employer, to your mechanic or plumber.
You can’t go through life thinking everybody Is an adversary, and everything is a bullshit scheme designed to bring you down. That’s a really unhealthy and toxic mindset.
Furthermore, we live in an age where almost any information you could ever want is available for free, online. This stereotype of the evil, predatory, record label vs. the naive virginal musician is outdated. There’s no excuse anymore for any musician to pretend they got swindled or abused by their label, or the industry.
Unlike decades past, there are now a million websites, blogs, and books specifically designed to help musicians navigate the business and legal norms of the music industry. If Sturgill, or any musician, can’t figure out how to do this by now, that’s entirely on them. I have no sympathy for musicians who blame all their woes on their label, or the industry in general. It’s time to stop with this victim mindset.
TwangBob
February 21, 2020 @ 11:21 am
Wow… just Wow! 🙁
Cyrus
February 21, 2020 @ 11:23 am
Wow.. misanthropic sociopath. I have tix to the mpls show and really am more excited to see Tyler again.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 11:45 am
I really feel bad for Tyler Childers in this situation. It’s Sturgill’s job as the headliner to promote this tour, and then he basically comes out and throws a wet blanket on the whole operation. I don’t blame Sturgill for not being excited about the tour, or for not feeling the need to lie about it. But these things affect more people than himself. In so much of what he said, that seems to be what he’s missing.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 11:56 am
I highly doubt Tyler cares what Sturgill is doing here and I think the tour is still going to be awesome.
hoptowntiger94
February 21, 2020 @ 12:27 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if the tour isn’t canceled after reading those comments. He’s going to do what he wants to do and it sounds like he doesn’t want to tour.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 12:34 pm
The tour is not going to be cancelled hahahahaha relax dude.
Bob Miller
May 11, 2020 @ 8:14 pm
Sturgill did Covid.
Julian Spivey
February 22, 2020 @ 12:01 am
Sturgill Simpson is Tyler Childers’ producer so he probably cares somewhat.
hoptowntiger94
February 21, 2020 @ 12:37 pm
I don’t want Tyler playing with Sturgill anymore! He’s a bad influence. Keep your kid away from mine!
Jerry Headd
February 21, 2020 @ 4:44 pm
You know what, it wasn’t to long ago that Tyler Childers accepted an America Music Award, and said (to the effect) America ain’t nothing about nothing. So as far as I’m concerned they will go down in flames. People will see through their Marketing, and leave them be. Then many years from now, they will wonder what happened.
Jayson
February 21, 2020 @ 6:27 pm
*Americana Award….
Moses Mendoza
February 21, 2020 @ 5:49 pm
Isn’t the tour mostly sold out?
hoptowntiger94
February 21, 2020 @ 6:14 pm
Some cities, but there are a ton of tickets available on the secondary market. Maybe people can report back here what they are seeing at the venues as far as capacity.
Moses Mendoza
February 24, 2020 @ 2:41 pm
I was in Asheville on Saturday and it was certainly both sold out and full.
John
February 22, 2020 @ 9:45 am
So now that he’s commented that what he said about arena shows was “bullshit” and “marketing” do you still feel the same way?
Justin C
February 21, 2020 @ 11:24 am
This is out of Kurt Cobain”s playbook. Gaming the system but acting like an outsider who never really wanted all the fame, hype, and money.
Gina
February 21, 2020 @ 11:36 am
Yeah, since Cobain is a hero of his, it makes sense.
Daniele
February 22, 2020 @ 9:29 am
Yeah, how hard it is to be a star!…come down here dude and live my life for just one week, than you’ll let me know…
Daniel Jackson
November 22, 2020 @ 9:17 pm
For real, these artist get so detached from reality, they couldn’t handle one week in most of us hard working people’s shoes.
willyboy
August 22, 2022 @ 5:19 pm
I know this is an old thread but the guy spent most of his adult life working real jobs including the military. That’s probably what makes him (rightfully) hate the game and a good number of the players.
Sam Cody
February 21, 2020 @ 11:25 am
This dude ain’t even qualified to pour Justin Bieber’s Froot Loops at this point. Even though I loved those first two albums, have always thought of him as the whiniest, spoiled brat, little punk in country. He needs to have everyone tugging at his tentacle every second, and bowing to his every little whim, or he has a tantrum. He reminds me of a certain political figure that somehow makes it to the news way too often.
Your 15 minutes are up dude. Beat it.
Eduardo Vargas
February 21, 2020 @ 11:25 am
Always knew the guy was an asshole
Jerry Clower's Ghost
February 21, 2020 @ 11:28 am
Well, I spent $400 on 2 tickets to see this prick in Dallas on March 27th as a birthday gift to myself and my friend, so I’m really hoping Sturgill can get over himself and put on a decent show. I’m sure Tyler will at least make it worthwhile. What a fucking douche tho. It’s easy to say you wish you could give all those people’s hard earned money back after he’s already pocketed it. If he feels so bad about it, why doesn’t he write a check for the amount and donate it? Put your money where your mouth is, bitch.
Jerry Clower's Ghost
February 22, 2020 @ 12:20 am
I dont think any of this was what Trigger wanted, but I just smoked some fine cheeba, and I just had a bit of an epiphany that this article feels like a very significant moment for SCM and independent country and roots music in general. If you’ve been reading this music blog over the years, you will know about its deep ties to Sturgill. This website was instrumental in launching Sturgill’s career, and it’s the best place for posterity to go back and see the chronicle of Sturgill’s incredible rise to fame, because it was blatantly obvious that Trigger was (and possibly still is) a superfan, just like me and many other people. So, if Trigger is taking off the kid gloves, then you know there’s a real problem here. I was tripping on acid the first time I heard Metamodern and ASG, and it changed my life forever, because I was expecting my first son, and the beautiful and honest messages in the former along with the incredibly relatable messages of fatherhood in the latter brought me into the next spiritual era of my life. His music cemented my resolve to be the best father I could be, and it helped me focus on what is really important in life. But Sturgill has devolved and regressed in a lot of ways. For one, next month will be the first time I see him live, and even tho I’m thrilled to finally get to hear him play, I’m truly bummed about the prospect of hearing a lot of Sound and Fury. That album sucks my chocolate salty balls. Trigger was incredibly generous in his review. If that album is indicative of the quality of Sturgill’s future productions, then good Lord count me out. And Sturgill’s lame rhetoric about how he just cant imagine having to play those songs because he’s worn out playing them is complete bullshit. Hasn’t he only been playing a festival here and there since he stopped touring in support of ASG a while ago? The album hasn’t gotten nominated for anything, and he’s butthurt about it. He’ll never admit it, and he’ll claim its because he made an album that said fuck you to the industry, but how would the industry know when we havent been able to understand a word he’s sung since he was on the Grammys? Oh, and how about his even better excuse that he was kind of goaded into touring? Saying that he felt bad about his performance during the 2017 tour and wishing he could give the money back to the fans is one of the biggest sell out moves I’ve ever heard an artist cop to with such little self awareness. What I hope is one morning we’ll get the Sturgill back who will wake up and decide to kill his ego once again and give us that raw and beautiful music that I fell in love, and when shady forces try to pull him down a negative path that he doesn’t have to do a goddamn thing but sit around and wait to die.
Wesley Gray
February 23, 2020 @ 1:06 am
A friend showed me sturgill for the first time while i was on an acid trip, too! in 2016. said friend was like “you love country music and you don’t know sturgill simpson?! here.” i was a fan at once. too bad simpson has turned put to be a dickhead. big shame and a waste of talent. i don’t care what kind of music he plays. there is never an excuse to be an asshole for no reason.
Daniel Jackson
November 22, 2020 @ 9:24 pm
“how would the industry know when we havent been able to understand a word he’s sung since he was on the Grammys?”
Glad I’m. It the only one who felt this way since The sailer album. I thought the anime album was a joke when I watched it on Netflix. Sounds like the only good music he ever made was really a disingenuous move to make money, which is the exact thing he accusing others of. What a loser.
pmull14
February 21, 2020 @ 11:29 am
Thank you. 100% agree
Steve
February 21, 2020 @ 11:29 am
Sturgill has far more in common with someone like Neil Young than any pure country musicians, past or present, and that includes him getting where he is despite the music industry, not because of them. It also includes him pissing off fans and critics who want to put him in a convenient box. He conned a corrupt industry out of millions? Good for him. He recognises shit when he sees it, including shit he’s participated in? Good for him. He speaks his mind and doesn’t sugar coat it? Good for him. We need more artists like him – hell, we need more people like him in all walks of life.
Jake Willis
February 21, 2020 @ 11:34 am
Bingo. The fact that people are upset about it is insufferable.
Gina
February 21, 2020 @ 11:41 am
I’m not upset about it. It’s just stupid. No one gets away with this attitude forever. And I really like the lastest album but it isn’t as good as the first three. If you’re going to be a jerk, your music better be flawless.
willyboy
August 22, 2022 @ 5:45 pm
kind of fun to look at this from the vantage point of August 2022 post Dood and Jaunita, post his essentially leaving the music biz and doing a Scorsese film. Lets face it, the Nashville thing is crap and plenty have said it before, though admittedly Ray Wiley Hubbard is a lot more entertaining when he bitches. If SS wants to rip off the shitty Country Music industry, more power to him. also,Rock and Roll may not be your thing but anyone who thinks Sound and Fury sucks…is brain dead.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 11:47 am
Those millions came from the same label that is out there trying to support The Highwomen, and Brandi Carlile. The Elektra imprint was set up specifically to support artists that are not supported by radio. That is who Sturgill Simpson is swindling. And because if it, they’re going to be less likely to sign other artists, or have the money to do it. This is a very, very bad development specifically for the effort to find artists the label support they deserve.
Chucky Waggs
February 21, 2020 @ 4:10 pm
Elektra is a subsidiary of Warner music group which is one of the largest multinational record label conglomerates of all time. He was signed by Atlantic (another subsidiary) and passed down to Elektra, most likely, when it became apparent he wasn’t gonna be a radio country artist. This isn’t some mom and pop shop he’s ripped off and if you think they haven’t made their money off of those albums, and him as an entity you’re crazy. Plus, he has toured extensively to support those releases so how is he swindling them? I’m not gonna say he is or isn’t an asshole since I don’t know the guy but to insinuate that he is somehow ripping them off and, as a result, taking resources away from up and coming musicians is nonsense. They are not losing money on the guy, and he has promoted (as you’ve stated in this article) the tours, the records and created underground buzz that money couldn’t buy most artists. An artist, who has authored all his own material promoted and toured on a consistent basis for years, since signed, being salty about the artistic confines of his label is nothing new. One could just as easily argue that “those millions” came from the credit line he’s been afforded by the label based on the money he’s brought in and the value of his talent and what he’s produced. This dude is a commodity for them, he produced the material, they produced the albums and everyone got paid. I don’t see how anyone(him or Elektra) are financial victims in that situation.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 5:33 pm
“They are not losing money on the guy.”
Sturgill Simpson disagrees.
” Or, maybe if you don’t want to be on a record label anymore, you make a record they can’t market, then you get them to spend a million bucks on an animation film and refuse to promote it, and leave them holding this giant un-recouped debt.” –Sturgill Simpson
Chucky Waggs
February 21, 2020 @ 5:56 pm
I mean…do you honestly think that Elektra has lost money on him as an artist over his tenure there? To the point where he has depleted resources for other artists? Bc that just can’t be so and you must know that. That’s kinda what you were saying in your above statement. That quote was posed as a hypothetical to the question, “How do you get out of(the relationship with your label)? And he said ” Maybe you… xyz. I’m not trying to argue for argument’s sake. I just think it is rediculous to claim that he has harmed Elektra, their parent company, or other artists through his most current album and accompanying film (even if he was trying), nation wide tours and previous releases. I mean, I know you understand this stuff, and although there are some totally legitimate criticisms to be had, I just just can’t tell if you’re being hyperbolic or reckless to give the impression to your followers that he has harmed other artists or his label when we all know his albums and tours sell(even when people dont like it)and he has been pretty damn prolific as an artist while under their umbrella. I’m assuming it’s just hyperbole.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 11:45 pm
If what I’m being told was Sturgill Simpson’s signing bonus is correct, plus operating costs, yes, his label is still trying to get into the black on Sturgill. And if he really did get a million dollars to make the anime film—though I think this was a little hyperbolic, though he did use some of the best in the business—this would put them even more in the hole.
Travis Finch
February 21, 2020 @ 12:04 pm
Exactly. If y’all wanna throw a hissy fit every time an artist says something you don’t like you should probably burn 90+% of your records, country or otherwise.
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 12:39 pm
Who is talking about burning record or even a boycott?
Projection
This is a hissy fit?
Projection
Buckin’ chute
February 21, 2020 @ 1:49 pm
Yes…. what country music music really needs, our country really needs right now, is more self-righteous, self-aggrandizing assholes, who have zero appreciation for anyone but themselves. No appreciation for the fans, the labels, the other legit talent, the hard work, the opportunities given, the promotion, the perspective,…. and the money of anyone but themselves. I suppose he could give it all away and his family can live off shroom juice and dandelion greens, so he’s pure as the driven snow as an artist, but, I’m guessing he won’t.
Yes…. definitely need more of this in the world. Feel sorry for him. The man clearly doesn’t know how to win or be happy.
JayD
February 21, 2020 @ 11:32 am
I really don’t understand his stance on music. It seems like he hates every album he’s made… tough to follow. Also, he’s been very inconsistent in his opinions over the years so he could have a completely different opinion in a few months/year. Interested to see how his show is that I bought tickets for in Minneapolis in April… My excitement level to see Sturgill goes down and goes up for Tyler. I think I’ll stick to listening to his good music and stop reading his quotes.
Jared S.
February 21, 2020 @ 3:14 pm
I’ve read many artist interviews where they say they can’t listen to their own music after the album is put out. Most of them aren’t as blunt about it as Sturgill is here, but I think it’s a common sentiment.
Gina
February 21, 2020 @ 11:33 am
I love Sturgill but I’m quoting a fellow industry member when I say ” I don’t care how talented you are, if you’re an asshole, I won’t work with you.” It’s a shame because he really is the whole package but he seems determined to ruin his own career now and that’s a tragedy. I’ve always loved his badass attitude because the music industry does need calling out, but it needs to be from people who are still grateful for what they have. He seemed to have that gratitude a few years ago. Not sure what happened. I did worry when he fired his publicist and manager because these are the people who keep artists in line when they get too big for their britches. There’s truth in a lot of what he says but he’s going about it the wrong way.
I’ll be one of those people seeing this tour next month so I hope he gets a little more enthusiastic about these shows before then.
Mike
February 24, 2020 @ 8:18 am
So you like when badasses keep in line?
Travis Finch
February 21, 2020 @ 11:34 am
Between this and the recent Isbell article it’s apparent y’all have gone full-on anti-liberal hyperconservative Trumpie. Fascinating how now you hate him for wanting to make money, considering that lust for money is one of the defining traits of conservatives. Fine. Less of you a$$holes at the shows then.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 11:50 am
It is unfortunate that both of these stories have come up one after another, but I don’t control the news cycle. There was obviously an extreme amount of interest in these Sturgill Simpson interviews, I was asked to comment on them, and I did. I’m not a Trump supporter, a hyperconservative, or political at all.
paddy
February 21, 2020 @ 12:30 pm
No, just an asshole. Always blame somebody else. Stick to what you are good at. Pointing out artists that need pointed out. Who are these dicks that ask you to comment.
paddy
February 21, 2020 @ 12:32 pm
What a pairing. Isbell for President, Sturgill for VP.
Ben
February 21, 2020 @ 2:07 pm
I think Trig is worthy of defense here seeing as how he loved Sturg before this. Give the guy some slack paddy.
RWP
February 21, 2020 @ 4:06 pm
Sturgill would cry too much about being VP. He would think it’s not fair the President gets to attend cooler functions that he does.
T_ADKINS_LUVER
February 21, 2020 @ 4:58 pm
BTW Trigger (Kyle) was called out personally in the Trillbilly podcast so I think he has special license to comment on this one.
JoseyWales
February 21, 2020 @ 9:24 pm
At what time stamp? I haven’t yet listened.
Joe
February 21, 2020 @ 12:09 pm
You seem nice
scott
February 21, 2020 @ 1:26 pm
Don’t forget probably fun at parties…
Tom
February 21, 2020 @ 12:25 pm
The fact that you read anything political at all into this article says a lot more about you than it does about the author.
hoptowntiger94
February 21, 2020 @ 12:41 pm
No. He’s just not a blind fanboy. It’s Trigger’s job to be critical. Once upon a time, there were non biased journalists and critics out there. Now there are only fan pages that glorify artists to no fault.
RWP
February 21, 2020 @ 4:03 pm
Sturgill and Isbell’s stans are almost as funny as Taylor and Carries are!
MH
February 21, 2020 @ 12:45 pm
LOL if you listen to the Trillbillies podcast referenced in Trigger’s piece, you’ll be disappointed to learn that Sturgill hates ALL politicians.
MH
February 21, 2020 @ 7:02 pm
I was responding to one of the guys above that accused Trig of being a “Trumper” for writing an article on Sturgill on the heels of the Isbell article.
Chris
February 21, 2020 @ 2:58 pm
Trigger can defend himself, but where does this article mention politics?
Kevin Broughton
February 22, 2020 @ 7:20 am
Nah. Sturgill’s just a dick.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 11:36 am
Lol Sturgill is a very interesting dude that speaks whatever is on his mind, it’s who he is. I love the dude and I am beyond excited to see him at Rupp in a week.
THass
February 21, 2020 @ 11:44 am
You can speak your mind without being an asshole.
It’s called tact.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 11:53 am
Never said he wasn’t being an asshole. I just don’t really care lol.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 3:15 pm
And if he was still making country music, most of the people in these comments wouldn’t care either.
Bob James
February 21, 2020 @ 11:37 am
Sturgill and Isbell stans are rabid. I like Sturgill but his last two albums were a little “out there” for me. It’s not country music anymore. Isbell has never done much for me anyway. His “holier than thou” politics are so boring.
Gina
February 21, 2020 @ 12:56 pm
Yeah I agree about Isbell. And i probably share a lot of his politics but the shoving it down our throats is annoying af.
I’m about as big a Sturgill fan is there is but this just turns me off.
Steel
February 21, 2020 @ 2:49 pm
I think the recent Isbell thing was really overblown but I also see your point about shoving his politics down our throats. I think the reason he tweets so much and why he gets so wrapped up in politics (aside from his feeling that speaking up matters) is related to his addictive tendencies. I don’t know if there is any truth to it but I’ve heard its common for people in recovery to get sucked into other outlets that aren’t as harmful on the surface, and social media and identity politics can definitely be addictions in themselves.
As for Sturgill, the guy just doesn’t have a filter and spits out unformed thoughts and opinions as lazy attempts to be a contrarian. I really don’t think anybody should put much stock into anything he says, he’s just kinda a crazy person that is sometimes able to channel his craziness into good music.
Seth
February 21, 2020 @ 4:32 pm
I’m definitely a fan of both of them, but yeah, some people ride their dicks a little too hard and throw these people up on pedestals, when in reality, they’re both only a few years out of addiction. Not that there is anything wrong with that, good for them. But these people are just that: people.
Jeremy
February 21, 2020 @ 11:38 am
Unfortunately this attitude of his has been snowballing to what it is today and who knows what it’s going to be this time next year. Some of these guys are making it hard to separate the artist from the person here lately. I loved high top mountain and metamodern, hell I could even get behind a sailors guide. He is such an independent bad ass….in his own mind.
Tex Hex
February 21, 2020 @ 11:39 am
Hate to say it, but reading that interview I was getting Cobain suicide vibes too. Extreme misanthropy, depression, substance abuse, taking up potentially dangerous hobbies (fast cars, firearms). Lot’s of unsubtle hints and parallels.
Seth
February 21, 2020 @ 4:27 pm
I thought the same thing. I’m a little worried about him if anything.
LilHank
February 21, 2020 @ 8:34 pm
Well if you think Cobain killed himself then you are a little delusional
Rusty
February 22, 2020 @ 12:09 pm
I was thinking the same thing.
Richie
February 21, 2020 @ 11:44 am
I love all of Sturgill’s records, and have always generally thought he was a cool motherfucker.
But holy shit, this is some of the most contradictory BS I’ve ever seen.
The big thing I got here, is that it sounds like he doesn’t even love country music, and never did.
Kind of sucks that I’ll be thinking about how much he doesn’t want to be there when I see him at the Madison, WI show on this tour. Oh well, at least I know TC will be a class act.
Richie
February 21, 2020 @ 12:00 pm
Or this is Sturgill just stirring the pot per usual to get people (like me apparently) riled up…
I genuinely hope he makes more than 5 albums (as he’s said before) in his career. Dude’s a genius.
Crum
February 21, 2020 @ 11:50 am
My biggest takeaway from the article, which I read last night, was that he’s gone through some serious mental health issues, as well as the drug stuff over the last few years, and is being defensive of some of the choices he’s made during that time. I also think some of the criticism of the last two albums is getting to him. I thought the Cobb/Stapleton comments were pretty harsh, but it sounds like he’s excited to play shows again (at least that’s how I took it). He said it’s going to be a celebration of the songs, for the fans. I think everyone who’s bought a ticket (myself included) is a little concerned with how he and Tyler will connect to the crowd in an arena, and he shares that concern. People grow and change, better or worse, all the time. No, these interviews aren’t a good look, but I’m not ready to send Sturgill down the river just yet.
MH
February 21, 2020 @ 12:49 pm
People also forget that he was in the armed service. We don’t know what all he’s seen (and done) while in service.
It’s why suicide among service members is too high.
Spoony
February 21, 2020 @ 8:49 pm
He was out of the Navy before 2000 and served aboard ships. I doubt he saw shit. Not to demean his service, but no need to make PTSD part of any of this.
Pellom
February 21, 2020 @ 11:56 am
I love Sturgill, but it’s pretty clear he has a shtick of downplaying and wanting to destroy whatever good will his current “project” receives. He loved High Top Mountain, Metamodern, Sailors Guide, and he REALLY loved the anime BS album he just put out, right up til the point that the “masses” liked it, then he turns hipster and shits on everything.
I’m not going to label him an addict, because I don’t know the man personally, but this is exactly how addicts/depressives act. He has to destroy anything he’s built because it’s uncomfortable to be liked. And then he’ll reinvent his sound in two years, push it until he’s back in good graces, and destroy that too.
JoseyWales
February 21, 2020 @ 9:28 pm
Self sabotage is real deal stuff unfortunately. Especially with addicts. I lost everything I had.
03z71lt
February 21, 2020 @ 12:00 pm
It’s all about him. Saw him in 2017 and He can Venmo me my money back because I thought it sucked. Too many drugs.
Cool Lester Smooth
February 21, 2020 @ 12:01 pm
Well, I guess this vindicates how much I hated his show in Dublin, haha!
But yeah, dude seems burned out – hopefully this means the next record will tend closer towards Metamodern/Sailor’s.
hoptowntiger94
February 21, 2020 @ 12:30 pm
I feel vindicated I didn’t buy tickets for this tour.
StainedOne
February 22, 2020 @ 6:39 am
This! Not only did they pick the shittiest venue in Charleston, but the tickets were outrageous. I’m so glad that I didn’t buy tickets!
Scott S.
February 21, 2020 @ 12:01 pm
I can agree with Simpson on one point. I literally can’t listen to his album either.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 12:06 pm
I saw him in the Summer of 2017 and it was legit the best show I’ve ever seen. If he genuinely didn’t want to be there, it didn’t affect his performance one bit.
This tour is going to rock.
Maryanne
February 21, 2020 @ 1:18 pm
Completely agree. Saw him at the Ryman and he blew the roof off the place, not to mention he was grateful to his fans and gracious as well. I think the dude just wants to play his music and doesn’t give a fuck about the rest of the games involved. If that makes him an asshole, whatever. At least he’s upfront about it.
Cameron
February 21, 2020 @ 12:06 pm
So he won’t work with producers but he’ll produce Childers records?
Somewhere Jason isbell is reading this article with a shit eating grin on his face.
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 12:20 pm
Kinda has a “for thee and not for me” ring to it doesn’t it.
Justin C
February 21, 2020 @ 12:10 pm
And speaking of producers ruining records, Sturgill has held back Tyler’s sound, Whitehouse Road was a disaster
Ozal Ventura
February 21, 2020 @ 12:10 pm
Yeah he stinks. Never understood the appeal. Now i see my nose was right. Thank you, nose
Sue
February 21, 2020 @ 12:10 pm
Who didn’t see this coming? He’s been working up to this for awhile. I never got on the bandwagon.
glendel
February 21, 2020 @ 12:16 pm
in 2020, it seems Sturgill is trying to incorporate that Buddy Rich / Buck Owens / Van Morrison old man curmudgeon vibe into his public pronouncements. 🙂
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 12:17 pm
Hearing him say Metamodern was too slick and clean…he has an interesting idea of what slick and clean is.
Minimal microphone technique, analogue hiss, and an overall loose as fuck sound are slick and clean? OK dude. He even said when he heard it that he didn’t know albums could sound like that anymore. Because, yeah, older vintage sounding records are so slick and clean, right? There was nothing “safe” about that production style when it was made. He’s entitled to his own opinion obviously, and maybe there is some subjectivity here…but wow.
Wicket
February 21, 2020 @ 12:43 pm
He said high top was too slick
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 12:54 pm
Ah ok i was conflating his Cobb criticism. What I get for reading while walking the dog. 🙄
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 12:47 pm
He did not say anything bad about Metamodern. He was talking about High Top.
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 1:05 pm
Thanks for correcting me.
Nicolas De Vos
February 21, 2020 @ 12:17 pm
I usually don’t post much, since I come here for the music and for discovering new artists rather than for the bickering (and to be honest, it’s mostly Americans and you guys are so divided that it’s sickening to most people). But I’ve been a fan of Jason Isbell and Sturgill since the beginning, and both of their behaviour is weird and pretty bad if you stop wearing US political glasses. I wouldn’t go as far as to compare them though (which seems is what a lot of people are doing). So I’ll post my two cents for ones.
1. Jason Isbell is somebody who truly means what he says, and he does it in an overblown way that offends a lot of people. I think it is because he is or has been most of the things he hates (at this particular moment in time – it might change). I think he has a huge problem with self-respect and a hard time identifying who he is. This makes for great music, where the duality of this often shines (Anxiety might be a prime example here given the context). Also, I think he himself fails in what he tries to be (sort of a Nietsche complex), as I’ve seen him relapse on the alcohol (can’t prove it, but it damn well looked like a beer bottle when he played here in Europe) and the cigarettes (definitely saw that). This was 2018. So I think it’s a struggling individual who wants to lie to himself about who is, because he has made this perfect persona in his mind and perhaps for his family. It looks like he has problems keeping this up, so he overdoes it by weird Instagram posts. However! I do believe that his music shows both sides of this struggle, and the new song posted a few days back shows this as well. It is obviously a song with some political US connections (if you don’t see that, you are seriously lying to yourself), but also about being true to oneself and speaking up. He is defending his new found persona. Let’s hope it works for him.
2. Sturgill seems to constantly just speak his mind, even if this means being inconsistent, rude or just random. The rude, flippant way of communicating might feel for some people connected to Isbell’s outburst (although I see Sturgill more as a Anarchist Grenade, which he basically admits to – he hates all and everything). But I doubt that this is the real Sturgill Simpson, in comparison to Isbell. He claims often that his albums are themed and single pieces, hence the instance (usually in the beginning of the tours, before he tires of it) of playing the albums back to back live. But I doubt he limits this to purely music. I personally believe that we get an entire persona that goes along with an album. He is very visual and a full concept kind of artist (hence his interest in writing books, making movies, anime, etc.). I don’t think he did this with the first two albums (unless you count banking on the Waylon image one). But I feel he started doing this during Sailor, as there he talked a bit more about family life. His performances on television were perfectly matched between very soft approaches and then the angry ones where he explained that he sometimes gets fed up because he misses his wife and kids. I’m not saying this is untrue (I believe the anarchist, home loving Sturgill is very real). But the ways he portrays them are images of his new work: more soft spoken and family styled for Sailor, anarchy and bridge burning Cobain-style as above mentioned for Sound & Fury. I strongly agree with the above comments that there is a Nirvana-esque approach to this “Sturgill era”. But I doubt he means it like Kurt Cobain obviously did. This is his new style for this concept album. Meeting him in person is different, the man is a class act top to bottom and very friendly to his fans (met his on 7 different occasions), so I doubt he means what he says in his music. This interview also reeks of a concept approach, this interview IS his new album. Maybe that’s also why his last album was (in my opinion) so bad. Unlike Isbell, who struggles but is speaking from what he feels, Sturgill does templates and grand schemes. Which is (again, like his says) probably closer to (e.g. stage) art, but perhaps further away from actual good music.
Still love them both though, but intriguing characters to say the least.
PS
3. Tyler, still a class act.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 3:20 pm
Hahahah so now we have people on this website accusing Jason Isbell of lying about being sober.
This is getting unreal.
Nicolas De Vos
February 22, 2020 @ 1:39 am
Sorry to burst your bubble. Definitely, and sadly, not lying. But you can believe who you want: a guy with flaws who has a lot to lose if he falters (which is human). Or a guy stating an opinion, who is a fan of the music of the man regardless of his personal issues, and absolutely has nothing to gain except support for an idea about these two artist and how they are interlinked which almost no one will read.
Jacob W
February 22, 2020 @ 10:17 am
Watch Jason isbell https://youtu.be/rYULQwe4zR4
On Coke or meth
StopPopCountry
February 21, 2020 @ 12:28 pm
Back to back days of trashing Isbell and Sturgill are definitely going to get clicks!
Some of what he said about Stapleton is true and I don’t really see it as ripping him. I’ve had a few complaints about production before too which seems to rip Dave Cobb more. Dave Cobb is usually a good touch, but even as a fan of his, I have to admit he produces everything pretty similar and sometimes it seems like shoving a round peg in a square hole.
Also Stapleton’s ascension did benefit the major labels. He deserved it no doubt, but he should have had acclaim years before he did. As soon as he became a hit on an awards show, they cashed in on him. I don’t fault him for cashing in, but he should’ve been a star years before he was instead of being forced to write crappy Thomas Rhett songs.
Shelly Fields
February 21, 2020 @ 12:38 pm
We will be there tonight! One reason only Tyler Childers!
That’s it. Sturgills music is crap!
hoptowntiger94
February 21, 2020 @ 1:24 pm
Report back tomorrow how long Tyler plays. My guess is 40 minutes.
Mouth of Babes
February 21, 2020 @ 6:10 pm
Got if from Tyler’s road manager, Ian, that Tyler and Sturgill will both be performing 75 min sets. No openers.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 9:18 pm
Sturgill usually plays 2 hours, I doubt he’s only doing 75 minutes.
Mouths of Babes
February 22, 2020 @ 1:14 am
Well, hindsight is 20/20.
hoptowntiger94
February 22, 2020 @ 9:27 am
No one is doing two hours anymore. Maybe the Avett Bros and Bruce Springsteen. Industry says fans no longer have the attention span for 2-hour sets. When this subject came up on SCM before, an overwhelming amount of readers agreed.
The Original WTF Guy
February 23, 2020 @ 10:32 am
“No one is doing two hours anymore.”
Really? Heard of Eric Church? Foo Fighters? Drive by Truckers? I could go on and on.
And who gives a fuck about the “Industry?”
Finally, I cannot believe an “overwhelming” number of readers would argue in favor of shorter, rather than longer shows, particularly if you are talking shorter than 2 hours.
Rod Johnson
February 23, 2020 @ 9:42 pm
Hell, Dream Theater does 2 hour songs.
Scoutman144
February 22, 2020 @ 7:58 am
Tyler played from 7:30 til 8:45. Sturgill was on by 9:30 and played until after 11:00.
No encore for either of them and Tyler didn’t come back out to play one with Sturgill.
hoptowntiger94
February 22, 2020 @ 9:25 am
So it’s like a co-headliner gig. If tickets are cheap on the secondary I might go see Tyler then. An hour, 15 is good for an opening spot. Last two times I saw Tyler as a headliner, he only did an hour, 25.
Jack Young
February 23, 2020 @ 12:19 pm
“No one is doing two hours anymore.”
Yeah that’s just straight up false my guy.
hoptowntiger94
February 23, 2020 @ 12:39 pm
I think the last 2-hour headliner concert I saw was Tom Petty almost 3 years ago.
Last year:
Sarah Shook: 1 hr, 20 min
Whitey Morgan 1 hr, 40 min
Chris Knight 1 hr, 20 min
Tyler Childers 2x – under 1 hour and a half each time 😞 (I’ve seen Childers 4x and only once did he play over and hour and a half)
The rest where festivals last year.
JB just commented below Cody Jink player in Chicago for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The reports below are Sturgill is only doing 1 hour and a half (Childers 1 hour and 15 minutes) on the current tour.
I hate it. I expect 2 hours from a headliner, but something changed the last couple years.
The old guard … Foo Fighters, Eric Church, Garth … they will still do 2 hours for now, but the industry changed.
63Guild
February 21, 2020 @ 12:39 pm
Sturgill is also an unreliable narrator and has been for years. He knows in the terms of Eric Bischoff, controversy creates cash and that’s what he is doing right now. Give outlandish interviews people get his name back out and he banks on it.
Tex Hex
February 21, 2020 @ 1:10 pm
I personally don’t like getting trolled by entertainers over and over, and it certainly doesn’t compel me to give them more cash for albums or shows.
Wicket
February 21, 2020 @ 12:45 pm
Y’all knew the Triggerman wasn’t going to let old Sturge get away with making fun of him on that Trillbillies podcast. Pew pew pew!!!
Kross
February 21, 2020 @ 12:46 pm
I guess you didn’t learn your lesson from writing about Isbell. LOL the trolls will be out in full force because of this one.
Di Harris
February 21, 2020 @ 12:48 pm
I think he’s more than a little jealous of Tyler’s growing popularity
Ken
February 21, 2020 @ 12:51 pm
Most likely it is much much simpler. He likely has second thoughts about the direction this album took him and I would venture a guess the next album will come faster and be more back into his sweet spot. Stop making mountains out of mole hills let the man deal with it and if fans don’t like it they can take their money elsewhere. But once a Sturgill fan always a Sturgill fan. This new album didn’t do much for me but I’m not making his music just listening to it.
Blockman
February 21, 2020 @ 12:57 pm
Wow Sturgill hates his own latest record the fanboys on here will be super conflicted.
StraitOuttaNashville
February 21, 2020 @ 12:59 pm
Sounds like a jerk who doesn’t appreciate his opportunities he has received in life. There are so many talented artists who never get the chance, and Simpson is ungrateful. Pretty sad if you ask me.
Paddy
February 21, 2020 @ 1:15 pm
That is okay. Nobody is asking you.
StraitOuttaNashville
February 21, 2020 @ 1:31 pm
Its the comment section where people come to give their opinion on the article written. I am not sure you know exactly how this works. Being asked is not a prerequisite to state your opinion. Its a pretty simple concept.
Paddy
February 21, 2020 @ 1:59 pm
Exactly what I was doing. Could not put it any better. Know any more big words?
Di Harris
February 21, 2020 @ 3:05 pm
Hey COBRA, er, Paddy …
Need to work on your M. O. there, Bro.
Elk Tracker
February 21, 2020 @ 6:07 pm
Strait,
Definitely gotta agree with you; it IS too bad. Simpson is a man with a ton of talent. It’s hard to like a guy who bitches so much when so much has gone so well for him. Especially these days when the capacity for gratitude seems to be declining.
Doyle Hargraves
February 21, 2020 @ 1:02 pm
Listen, I build things for a living. Does Sturgill know how much more important my job is than his. I’m still making payments on Linda’s house. He can come down here and buy me a dually and I’ll give him some shit to bitch about. He’s gon have to audition to take Randy out the band too.
Jack Williams
February 21, 2020 @ 1:05 pm
Making payments on Linda’s house? Sucker. As she told you, it’s her house, not yours.
Doyle Hargraves
February 21, 2020 @ 1:58 pm
You know better than to talk to me like that when I’m hurtin cuz I have tickets to one of these shows
Jerry Clower's Ghost
February 21, 2020 @ 2:32 pm
LOL I love it when Doyle is in character.
Jack Williams
February 22, 2020 @ 7:25 am
Well, I was going to tell you to go over to one of your other girlfriends’ houses and cry to them about it, but I got tickets to one of those shows, too. So, I feel your pain.
Calhoosier
February 21, 2020 @ 1:09 pm
He can say what he wants, Childers will make him look good.
karl
February 21, 2020 @ 1:20 pm
The only album of his I listen to is ‘Hightop mountain’. I guess I’m just not hip enough for him. Shucks.
thebugman10
February 21, 2020 @ 1:26 pm
I’ve always thought that Sturgill was the single most overrated artist covered on this site. High Top Mountain and Metamodern Sounds never sounded authentic to me, and sounded more like someone trying to make an album that sounds like Waylon. Sailor’s Guide was too out there for me, never got all the way through. I’ve listened to one song on the new one.
This all just confirms what I’ve thought about him from the start. I don’t think he has any interest in country music at all.
Euro South
February 21, 2020 @ 6:18 pm
I agree. The only virtue I found in him so far is that he eventually got tired of being a mediocre Waylon impersonator.
Tim Moon
February 21, 2020 @ 1:26 pm
This is why I love Sturgill! This is how he makes his art. Gets all pissed off, Scorched Earth. Personally I’m happy I probably paid for at least a nice end table he has. Will enjoy seeing him next month. 🙂
Jason
February 21, 2020 @ 1:29 pm
So, basically you have done everything he talked about. While sounding exactly as he described in the podcast. He is free to have whatever opinion he wants to have regarding whatever topic he wants. That’s what I’ve always taken away from his music.
thegentile
February 21, 2020 @ 1:29 pm
it certainly has been a week for making molehills into mountains…
let us count the ways sturgill simpson is apparently an asshole:
he doesn’t like touring?
many artists don’t. but they do it and they still put on a great show.
he’s not that into his new album?
he’s been living with it for much longer than anyone else.
he doesn’t like his label?
i am willing to bet that most artists are not all butterflies with their labels.
he besmirched the names of stapleton, cobb, and his old label?
he said the nashville machine really promoted stapleton’s record and that it probably wouldn’t have been as successful if it didn’t. i think there is plenty of evidence in this claim’s favor. a band’s success is usually dependent on this. it is rare for an unpromoted album to succeed. he said he likes his music, but did not care for its production.
he also doesn’t like the production on his first record. many producers have a sound and work to impart that on records they work. perhaps this is the case here. i for one think cobb’s production does have a sound. considering cobb has not produced an album that sounds anything like metamodern before or since, i have to think sturgill is probably right in his claim that the album’s sound had more to do with him making decisions and pushing cobb.
regarding his label, he didn’t say anything bad about them. he said that a small label does not have as much of a chance getting an album awarded the grammy’s biggest award as a huge label. duh.
he doesn’t like the grammys? the grammys suck. him busking with it is more of a joke/stance than him showing off his grammy.
he used to play the marketing game more? i guess so. many artists change their stance on this. just because he said something during this time does not make it untrue or not genuine. he just talked more.
the interview is an entertaining read. it did was it was supposed to… clearly. you wrote about it.
i’m looking forward to you shitting on mike harmeier next week for opening his mouth.
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 1:38 pm
How was that spin class?
thegentile
February 21, 2020 @ 1:45 pm
thoughtful. nuanced. great rebuttal. what’s next? a period joke?
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 1:54 pm
No. Among other reasons, that wouldn’t have anything to do with what you said.
Chucky Waggs
February 21, 2020 @ 7:02 pm
Totally agree with you here. None of this is profound or out of the ordinary for full time recording and national touring artists. It’s just that many, when asked, give some cookie cutter answers as opposed to being real. I didn’t jump on Sturgill right away. i thought he had a great voice but it took me a few passes to appreciate his first 3 major albums, and even then I found em kinda hit or miss. His appeal to me was a strong, tradition sound doing something sonically and lyrically well executed, a little out there, unconventional, considerate and what seemed sometimes painfully sincere and up front. So when I read an interview with him being somewhat painfully sincere and upfront about his work, albums, the music biz, touring, substances, exaustion, home life, it doesn’t seem at all out of line with who I figured him to be. It seems real and honest. Much more appealing to read than a watered down, prepackaged interview where everyone plays nice.
CHRIS BOGGESS
February 21, 2020 @ 1:34 pm
SUNDAY VALLEY -FOREVER AND EVER ,AMEN
North Woods Country
February 21, 2020 @ 1:42 pm
The worst thing a brilliant person can have is an awareness of their own brilliance. Sturgill suffers mightily from that. That’s been evident for several years now.
Turns out a mediocre rock album with not even a quarter of the enthusiasm of prior releases surrounding it has pissed him off.
He made his career playing country and bluegrass songs. He’ll salvage his career playing country and bluegrass songs. The sooner he accepts that fact, the better.
Tex Hex
February 21, 2020 @ 2:10 pm
Yeah, he’ll do a “back to my roots” album at some point and fall back into everybody’s good graces again – then he’ll shit on that, and the cycle will continue.
Tex Hex
February 21, 2020 @ 1:48 pm
Meantime – Chris Stapleton is having fun, being a total trooper, and a gentleman, killing it on the mic from his seat in the crowd at a goddamn Madea Farewell Tour Show in Nashville. I have no idea what the context of this is (if it was random or scripted) but, I mean, can you imagine Sturgill being this cool about anything?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mApvNa68Mlo&feature=emb_logo
Yeah, Stapleton plays the industry game and jumps through the commercial hoops, but I will never slander the way an honest man chooses to make a living to feed his family. Stapleton’s got the chops, and the good attitude. That’s good enough for me, and more than I can say for Sturgill right now.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 4:41 pm
I love both Sturgill and Chris Stapleton for different reasons. People are different and that’s okay.
lulz
February 21, 2020 @ 2:03 pm
This is so trite. Who said Sturgill was supposed to be an outlaw? Who said he was supposed to make country music at all?
WHY IS ANYONE SUPPOSED TO CARE ABOUT YOUR OPINIONS??
Colter
February 21, 2020 @ 2:05 pm
I think he’s just a marketing genius and is saying all this so he can hit us with a “I saw the light” bluegrass redemption record.
Chucky Waggs
February 21, 2020 @ 2:08 pm
Man, there are some fareweather fans here. Sturgill didn’t say anything about Stapleton and his album that I haven’t seen said here a thousand times. He criticized it’s production and never said a cross word about Chris himself. He said that he prefers it live and that Chris is an extremely talented performer, great guy and the best friend he’s had in the industry. As far as bitching about touring, contractual label obligations and award ceremonies, go read Waylon’s autobiography. Or Levon’s, or Keith Richards’ or literally any rock or country biography out there. Every full time recording and touring artist in their 40s has felt and said the same damn thing. Hell, there are probably hundreds of songs about it. Were these interviews tactful? Not really, but they seemed honest. He may look back on that CMA thing and be embarrassed. It was obviously a show he was putting on. It was a kick. It was entettaining. Move on. Im sure he doesn’t feel like doing an arena tour after yrs of working steady and going from the “savior of country music” to being completely written off by a huge chunk of critics and fans who wanted him to be the character they wanted. You got a couple really good country albums out of the guy(plus two he produced for Childers)some really good performances and dozens of songs and it probably didn’t cost anyone more that about $50 in downloads and tickets. You got your money’s worth. He doesn’t owe you anything. If you don’t like how he talks, don’t listen. If you don’t like his new songs don’t download em or go to the shows. You can literally go on with your life without ever considering the dude again, if you have a problem with him. But don’t act like this is some betrayal. This is nothin new.
Jack Young
February 21, 2020 @ 3:24 pm
Bingo.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 5:47 pm
Chris Stapleton is collateral damage here. It’s Dave Cobb who is getting thrown under the bus. By discounting “High Top Mountain,” and basically saying the Dave Cobb had no serious involvement in “Metamodern Sounds,” he’s trying to take away any credit for Dave Cobb’s contributions. Criticizing “Traveller” comes in the same vein, downgrading it’s importance. Clearly there was some falling out between Sturgill and Cobb. It happens, and there’s always two sides to every story. But Dave Cobb was one of the people who gave Sturgill his very first opportunities in this business, and produced two records that received universal acclaim. I’ve criticized the production on Dave Cobb before and don’t think of him like a golden goose. But his work and importance to Sturgill becoming who he is today is undeniable. These comments were really petty by Sturgill. Even if he doesn’t like Cobb, you don’t have to take it public and trying to diminish his efforts. People know what they hear, and they love those early collaborations between Sturgill and Cobb.
Chucky Waggs
February 21, 2020 @ 6:08 pm
I gotta say, I totally agree with you here. Whether or not Sturgill is a fan of the production on those albums, they are well done and seem pretty respectful of his style. Even if he’s got a personal or professional problem or its just a matter of production taste, he didn’t need to drag him down by name.
Gina
February 21, 2020 @ 6:06 pm
But he’s not Waylon or Levon or Keith Richards, yet. You have to be way more of a legend than Sturgill is now to pull this off. And it’s because I’m a fan that I’m being critical. He needs someone to tell him to ease off before it’s too late.
Chucky Waggs
February 21, 2020 @ 6:19 pm
My point is that an artist feeling stifled artistically by their label and expressing it is nothing out of the ordinary for someone who has been as prolific and as much of a work horse as he has under their umbrella. He’s given them two to three outstanding country albums (depending on who you talk to.lol) as well as his latest album and film, relentless touring and the type of underground exposure you can’t buy. I know we want everyone to play nice and put on a good face for the publications and cameras but I think i appreciate his candid honesty more. It was a facinating interview to me bc of how up front he was about these things instead of giving polished stock answers. And… I just don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Respectfully!
Gina
February 21, 2020 @ 8:07 pm
He’s always been candid. That’s not what anyone is saying. Just don’t be a jerk about it. It’s a simple business model.
Chucky Waggs
February 21, 2020 @ 8:31 pm
I just don’t see why a songwriter can’t be just as pissed off at his bosses as anyone else. I agree he could’ve gone easier on Cobb but he’s a person and people get frustrated when they are spread thin. He didnt tear down his fans or anything. For the most part it seemed like he was as critical of himself as anyone. I guess I just assume that most people get like this sometimes and why should he or any other artist be any different. It just doesn’t strike me as bothersome or worthy of all the backlash I’m seein here. But, everyone sees things differently. To each their own.
Bill from Wisconsin
February 21, 2020 @ 2:16 pm
Well there’s plenty of other good music out there to listen to. Which is what I come here (and appreciate) to find out about. To each his own. If an artist starts making everything about whatever his or her politics is, or persona, and you don’t enjoy that, just ignore them and go elsewhere for your entertainment and $.
Paddy from Ireland
February 21, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
You want to hear good new music. Dirk Powell———-When I Wait For You. You can get it on Vertical Records which is a Scottish outfit. Brilliant. Just out. Don’t know if it is available in USA.
Rob
February 21, 2020 @ 2:23 pm
It kind of sounds to me like he’s been jealous of the success of Stapleton and Cobb. They went in the direction people wanted Sturgill to go, and Stapleton got way bigger than him. I can’t blame Sturgill for following his muse, and if Sound and Fury is his muse then have at it, I respect the integrity of staying true to yourself. But don’t bash two guys who have seemingly been good to you and are fighting the good fight. Downplaying Stapleton’s success really rubbed me the wrong way.
The jealousy seems apparent when he talks about how Metamodern was all his baby and then Cobb got the credit for it. Sturgill has become an egomaniac. I’ll still listen when he puts stuff out, and I have my tickets for this tour, but he is most certainly an asshole and it appears to have only gotten worse. When it comes to my favorite artists, I’ll stick to class acts like a Cody Jinks, Stapleton, and Childers.
thegentile
February 21, 2020 @ 2:48 pm
considering cobb hasn’t produced anything that has sounded remotely close the metamodern before or since is pretty telling who had more to do with it.
and is stapleton more successful? hard to say. sturgill has released four great albums imo. stapleton one. i think the from a room’s a pretty middling and uninspired.
Tex Hex
February 21, 2020 @ 3:13 pm
It’s pretty clear Cobb’s got a very subtle touch in the studio, intended to let the artist shine on their own album. Nobody ever claimed before, certainly not Cobb, that he had any creative control over Metamodern or that he deserved the credit for that album. Sturgill’s argument is a straw man argument, claiming that Cobb took the credit, only to tear him down. I’ve never known Cobb to be anything but humble about his work. If I’m wrong, post some links.
Also, there is absolutely no question Stapleton is more successful than Sturgill. Stapleton had the top selling country album of the last decade and has been selling out massive arena tours consistently, for years. Not to mention all the writer credits, and royalties from that. Sorry, man, but Sturgill is nowhere close to that. You can argue that Sturgill has some kind of “creative” edge over Stapleton, fine, but Sturgill’s small potatoes by comparison at this point – self inflicted. He could’ve been huge too, bigger even, but it’s clear he shoots himself in the foot habitually, only to point fingers and blame everybody else but himself.
Cool Lester Smooth
February 21, 2020 @ 3:49 pm
Yeah, what Cobb gets credit for is the LACK of a distinctive footprint he has on his projects – he steps back, and lets the artist do their thing.
(Plus…the ur-text in “The Legend of Dave Cobb” is absolutely Southeastern, not Metamodern, even if the latter was what inspired the Traveler collaboration).
AdamAmericana
February 21, 2020 @ 2:25 pm
Trigger getting triggered all week long. You need a hug.
Euro South
February 21, 2020 @ 6:40 pm
This comment is so funny, even if it ain’t true. It deserves more likes.
Trigger, you need to go back to writing comment-unfriendly clickbait. I can’t afford all the time it’s taking me to read through all these comments.
Garrett Bona
February 21, 2020 @ 2:31 pm
I dont think he was slamming Thirty Tigers be was just saying the bug companies get a nomination when they want/need it. But , pretty much agree with you otherwise.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 5:50 pm
Yes, I don’t think he was slamming Thirty Tigers either. But his words make it appear like you can’t get a Grammy on the label, which is not only incorrect, may discourage people from signing to the only game in town that lets artists keep their masters and allows them to leave any time. There’s a reason so many great artists started on Thirty Tigers, including Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers. They have been an important piece to returning the the control of music back to the artists.
Nick
February 21, 2020 @ 2:37 pm
Super Awesome article SCM.. Def eye opening.. Thats why I love reading your stuff all the time.. To the point.
Benny Lee
February 21, 2020 @ 2:51 pm
I don’t know, he’s saying a lot of things that are true, but also contradicting stances he’s taken in the past. He’s always had an edge. Can’t forget that he’s a marketing genius. Seems like another successful attention grab.
On Sound and Fury: “I literally can’t listen to it …” Totally agree.
It’s a simple formula – make good music again and I’ll spend money on it. Until then I’ll spend it on bands like Mike & the Moonpies, who were awesome last night, by the way.
Nufctp
February 21, 2020 @ 2:59 pm
Lot of whining here lately, yes ?
Yeah, a lot of provocative comments were made, I like that , and he is allowed this
The disrespect continuously mentioned here, I just don’t see. For one , the Stapleton issue is completely misread. He keeps pointing out his respect
Sturgill sticks out, good on him !
KGD
February 21, 2020 @ 3:05 pm
When I saw Jack Ingram a few weeks ago he was musing about his time in the wilderness and he said, “If you tell people to fuck off enough, eventually they will!”
Honestly Sturg started losing me when he parted ways with Laur. Still spin High Top and Metamodern a lot, but he can chase whatever he’s chasing without me.
Jack burnt the house down fwiw.
Tony Gunter
February 21, 2020 @ 3:11 pm
Unfortunately a lot of musicians are insufferable assholes. Nature of the beast.
What’s funny to me is I come to this site on a regular basis, Trigger has introduced me to many artists I love that I otherwise may have never heard of and I am very grateful for this. But for all the rave reviews about Sturgill, man I never got it. Never spent any money on his records because I just wasn’t into his music at any phase. But now I have tickets for this arena tour for the sole purpose of seeing Tyler! I was interested to see what kind of a show Sturgill puts on but after reading this I think I’ll be leaving early.
I have met Tyler on a few occasions in his honky tonk days, had some good conversation. He’s salt of the earth. Kind of sucks him being associated with this.
Tyler Pappas
February 21, 2020 @ 3:14 pm
I always felt like I was in the minority when thinking that his first two albums (I own both) were good MMSICM being superior but weren’t classics that they are heralded to be. IDK I like his music but it’s not as good as I was led to believe.
Benjamin
February 21, 2020 @ 3:16 pm
Trigger,
Is there anyway you can revoke Simpson’s precious Artist of the Year awards? I’m not one for rewriting history, but after everything that’s been happening… he doesn’t deserve it in my opinion. I was on board at first, but if all he wants to do is criticize the industry and Cobb, so be it.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 5:53 pm
I’m not revoking any Artist of the Year Awards, at least not yet. The reason I’m criticizing Sturgill for his words here is because I believe he’s out-of-bounds, and someone needs to offer some context to his comments. But I still hope for good things from him for the future. I hope he makes another country record, or if he makes another record that’s not country, that it’s actually good as opposed to a piece of performance art meant to piss off a label that everyone praises just because it’s Sturgill Simpson.
thegentile
February 22, 2020 @ 8:28 am
he really hurt you huh
Hayden Simmons
February 21, 2020 @ 3:33 pm
Look, I’m among the biggest Tyler fans out there…seen him 6-7 times live. But ya’ll do not need to worry about Sturgill’s negativity being a bad influence on him. Tyler is 28 going on 78, pure curmudgeon. Who doesn’t play encores in their early 20s? And his interviews are usually total downers, eager to denounce and degrade the industry.
Both these guys are the anti-heroes, dealing with a shitload of success. It ain’t easy.
Rita
February 21, 2020 @ 5:28 pm
I love Tyler’s music … but no damned way I’d ever want to interview him again.
Matt F.
February 22, 2020 @ 6:40 am
What do you mean? You interviewed him? What happened?
Rita
February 22, 2020 @ 11:52 am
Yes.
And nothing happened. Literally- he had nothing to say. It was like pulling teeth.
Wobblyhorse
February 21, 2020 @ 4:00 pm
I know he wants to be a rockstar, but after that last album, we might as well consider Sturgill washed up at this point. It’s only a matter of time before he’s trying to rebuild his country cred, playing for retired folk at Presleys’ Country Jubilee in Branson, Missouri
thegentile
February 21, 2020 @ 9:50 pm
he released an album that made many year-end lists and he’s washed up? get a grip.
Randy Mexico
February 21, 2020 @ 4:02 pm
Been a fan of the site for years but not one to comment. Thank you for these past few articles. Finally someone calls out these two for their bullshit. Bottom line is no matter what your political leaning is, a lot of us are getting tired of being told what views we are allowed to agree with and what views we are not allowed to. Especially by out of touch millionaires.
thegentile
February 21, 2020 @ 9:52 pm
instead you are being told what to think by a website. lol.
Randy Mexico
February 22, 2020 @ 4:49 am
I’ve disagreed with a lot of views on this site over the years, such as the obsession with Sturgill. I always thought he was fake. The difference between this website and the artist telling me what to think is I don’t spend a penny on this website, but the artist still wants your hard earned money and then tells you what kind of a fan you are allowed to be. I was looking forward to Tyler in Pittsburgh next week but can’t bring myself to give Simpson another dime. I’ll spend my money on artists that still have some respect for the fans. Need whitey or whiskey Myers to come back around.
hoptowntiger94
February 22, 2020 @ 9:58 am
My biggest regret was passing on Whiskey Myers in Pittsburgh last March for Whitey Morgan in Morgantown (same night). Whitey was ok, but I heard Whiskey Myers was awesome. I hope they come back around soon.
Randy Mexico
February 22, 2020 @ 5:51 pm
Small world. I actually did the same exact thing and also heard the whiskey Myers show was amazing. Morgantown can be better than Pittsburgh sometimes so I went to whitey but should have just went to whiskey Myers and caught whitey in Pittsburgh too.
Sunshine Iron
February 21, 2020 @ 4:37 pm
I bar-b-que, drink beer, and listen to Merle Haggard records. Then I go to bed, wake up, and go to work. And I love it. Wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s enough Merle Haggard music to last me the rest of my life. I don’t need Strugglin’ Sturgill or PC Isbell, or any new music ever again. All you “Americana” artists know this: I know what’s real, and you ain’t it. It’s been done. Fart noises, Americana is Fart Noises. You kids missed the best days of country music. Forget these chumps and start listening to Merle.
Eric Watson
February 21, 2020 @ 4:41 pm
Thin skinned response to a blip mention in a podcast. I didn’t even take that as a dig, gave praise and gave a complaint. Article is over the top and incomplete. The missing chunks would interfere with the agenda so I get it. Would have been better to just address what he said about you. You simply can’t honestly believe anything you’ve written here, right? You probably pissed him off with your review of Sound & Fury. It was clunky and felt very pre-meditated.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 5:56 pm
I didn’t know Sturgill Simpson had mentioned me in the podcast until a few hours ago, and well after this article was written. I listened to the first half, and did hear the commentator mention “Saving Country Music,” but not that part. Perhaps I’ll address what Sturgill said about me in the future.
Eric Watson
February 21, 2020 @ 7:08 pm
I’ll take you on your word for that then and concede the basis of my point. This guy brings out something in everyone it seems, which is more than can be said for most.
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 7:22 pm
I’m curious what he said but couldn’t make it though the first 15 mins of that podcast. I’ve listened to a shit ton of podcasts, and this was the worst I think I’ve heard. It sounded like everyone including him was depressed and on on tranquilizers (except for the non-stop giggling woman), with nothing but unfocused rambling. What does he say?
Eric Watson
February 21, 2020 @ 7:45 pm
I listened to the whole thing. Wasn’t a huge fan of the hosts at times but got through it. Seemed like of them was using a fake country accent. As far as what Sturgill said about Trigger, to paraphrase – he was the first guy to ever write about me, but then slams me when I don’t do something he doesn’t like.
It was mild. The rest of it was cool to me. He confirmed what I’d always thought, that just because of his Trump comments a few years ago doesn’t make him a left-wing guy, hates all politicians, hates listening to his studio recordings – prefers playing live, will always make music – probably won’t do another big tour, etc.. All good if you’re a fan. The Uproxx interview reads better, worth 15 minutes of your time.
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 7:49 pm
Thanks, I appreciate that. Maybe I will read that. Interesting about hating all politicians. Something even partisan people can appreciate at some point or other, I think.
SG
February 21, 2020 @ 8:25 pm
Read it. I understand what Trigger is saying but am left with a little more sympathy for him in a way because everything seems so hard for him. Interesting that he actually calls himself an anarchist and plans to sit out the election.
I don’t know, the word martyr still comes to mind in the end.
Jack Williams
February 22, 2020 @ 7:20 am
Was curious, so I skipped ahead and found what he had to say. It was good to hear him say publicly that Trigger was the first to ever write about him and he even sounded appreciative. I have observed some artists who touted SCM articles on them at the beginning, but then that stops once they “make it.” For instance, you might see a link to a RS review which might be a standard fare PR type review, where the SCM review probably went much deeper (some exceptions – James McMurtry, The Mavericks, Cody Jinks, Tyler Childers, Mike and the Moonpies, and sometimes Sarah Shook). But then he said Trigger became a butthurt fanboy because Sturgill wouldn’t make Metamodern over and over again. That is WILDLY inaccurate and seemed like a flippant hot take. A Sailor’s Guide got a strong review here (1 and 3/4 guns, I believe) and Trigger said was that it wasn’t much of a country album but at least it was a roots album and we can be thankful for that. Also, he gave him a lot of positive coverage around the Grammys, while some genuine butthurt fanboys griped in the comments sections. And he was the 2016 SCM Artist of the Year. Even in his review for the last album, he gave Sturgill some kudos for his lyrics.
The Original WTF Guy
February 23, 2020 @ 10:41 am
Yeah, I agree. Anyone who posts on this shoud read the full interview first. Lots of cut/paste to create a narrative that doesn’t quite exist in the interview.
Trigger
February 23, 2020 @ 12:24 pm
I disagree. The interview was unprecedented, both the interviewer and Sturgill had an agenda, and the outlet that published it is owned by Sturgill Simpson’s record label, Universal. They were looking to stir the pot. And they did. If they didn’t like the way the pot got stirred, that’s on them.
Clint Bond
February 21, 2020 @ 4:58 pm
Always been a jerk
John
February 21, 2020 @ 5:05 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Sturgill is a huge waste of talent. He could have been great. But he turned out to be a loser.
Rex Norris
February 21, 2020 @ 5:40 pm
Tell him to go hang out with Ryan Adams. Both are narcissists.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 5:56 pm
Very Ryan Adams feel to this interview.
Jack Williams
February 22, 2020 @ 10:42 am
Bob Dylan In the 60s also comes to mind.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
February 21, 2020 @ 5:58 pm
I don’t always agree with Trigger, but he is spot on here. I’m a big Sturgill fan….of his country and non country work. This is over the top, obvious attention grabbing and grandstanding “look at how badass I am” tomfoolery. And it’s not a good look. I’m going to a few of the shows on this tour, and if he can’t bother to put enough effort into actually making it a good listening experience from a vocal perspective, I’m done paying to see him live. This “woe is me” bullshit he is pulling is not “punk rock”…it’s spoiled “punk assed” bs. It’s easy to complain now that he already has gotten his cut and 150 acre estate. I’m glad I saw him 5 times over the years when he was still hungry and his ego hadn’t totally taken over his common sense and ability to not be a conceited prick.
Gina
February 21, 2020 @ 8:18 pm
This is pretty much everything I’m saying. If I were his publicist, I’d quit right now. It’s just unattractive on an artist of this age and people get fed up with it. Fans too.
hoptowntiger94
February 21, 2020 @ 6:23 pm
He’s just too old to be acting this way. If this was a kid in his 20’s, I’d give him a pass. But for a man in his 40’s to be acting so petulant, it’s a cry for help.
BEERLEAGUERED
February 21, 2020 @ 6:59 pm
I like how you didn’t even acknowledge getting called a fanboy, in an article that’s basically as long as both interviews. Stapleton’s record is trash, Hightop is over-produced, Dave Cobb polishes turds for a living, and Sound&Fury is the best record he’s put out yet.
King Honky Of Crackershire
February 21, 2020 @ 7:00 pm
Well, since he can’t do anything good except allegedly play a guitar, this is probably for the best. Maybe there’s a house band somewhere in need of a lead guitarist.
Jerm
February 21, 2020 @ 9:22 pm
If you dont think any of sturgills records are good then id hate to see you taste of music. All his albums are great. Maybe you’re a hater?
King Honky Of Crackershire
February 22, 2020 @ 12:02 am
Yes. I’m most definitely a hater, if by “hater”, you mean someone who harbors hate for something or someone, in this case, the music of Sturgill Simpson.
Ian
February 21, 2020 @ 7:28 pm
I think Sturgill needs to go to his shed and write 5 train songs, 5 songs about hoboes and a toe tapping yodel. And don’t come out until you finish!
Scott
February 21, 2020 @ 7:31 pm
Guess who are both owned by Warner Music Group.
Hint: Elektra Records and… Uproxx.
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 7:53 pm
Ha! Forgot about that. Hmmm….
Chris
February 21, 2020 @ 7:32 pm
So this is a critique of an interview. Is that a thing now??
Trigger
February 21, 2020 @ 7:54 pm
Not a critique of an interview at all. Steven Hyden did a good job. He got a lot of juicy quotes. Unless that job was inside.
Corncaster
February 21, 2020 @ 7:37 pm
Simpson has more anger than talent.
Tim
February 21, 2020 @ 7:48 pm
Ya know, I’m just tired of over-thinkin’ ’bout it anymore. I’m going back to just closing my eyes and listening to the slick riffs and hidden backbeats. Let’s play some music.
JoseyWales
February 21, 2020 @ 9:49 pm
I’m more worried about a good hook.
Charles Murphy
February 21, 2020 @ 8:29 pm
Although a fan of his recorded stuff, I now understand why my pal (who I’d raved about Simpson) hater the show he saw but I know I won’t drop money on his live show if he has this little appreciation for it and all those who’ve helped him along the way.
And him taking swiped at Cobb & Stapleton just sounds like he’s bitter….but for what. 🤷🏻♂️
Jayson
February 21, 2020 @ 8:49 pm
Sturgill will put on a great show. He says in this interview that he was miserable during the 2017 run, and I saw him then. Guess what?…. he melted our faces off. Dudes a beast and is free to criticize whatever he pleases. I work in the medical field and you would be shocked if I penned an op-ed explaining the cutthroat nature of my business, as I’m sure is true with many other people in many other industries. The difference is Sturgill has the money to not give a shit. Hell I’m happy he has the guts to speak on this subject.
JoseyWales
February 21, 2020 @ 9:51 pm
I agree, his show in 2017 here in Houston after it was rescheduled due to Harvey was outstanding.
Kimberly
February 21, 2020 @ 9:13 pm
I’m wondering what the official difference is between and “ outlaw” and an asshole.
TheKillerRocksOn
February 21, 2020 @ 9:14 pm
Not news to those in the trenches that smelled Sturgill’s bullshit years ago, but has to be heart breaking to the likes of Trig that have rode that pony named Sturgill off the cliff…thoughts and prayers
Jerm
February 21, 2020 @ 9:24 pm
Everything sturgill puts out is good. Not sure why so many ppl are crying and hating on him. And he never took any digs at Stapleton. Apparently many of you cant comprehend, or just read the headline
Bill Goodman
February 21, 2020 @ 9:37 pm
I read the interview earlier and didn’t think to much of it. I figured he was blasting them (Cobb, Chris, etc) but had to think about it. Is he being an asshole? I wanted to tell you you’re full of shit so I read the entire article and some of what I was questioning was made clear. So, is he being an asshole? He could be. Maybe he’s relapsed. Or there’s this.
“But that’s only if you buy into the idea this isn’t an element of marketing in itself.”
Congrats, you just helped him out.
One thing though I remember him saying recently that he only signed for 2 albums and since the 2nd album came out he’s no longer under contract. In this interview he says he’s done unless the bean counters release him, he’s done. he’s contradicting once again.
albert
February 21, 2020 @ 9:51 pm
no disrespect , trigger . i couldn’t read the entire article . apologies . i think you need to care to wade through SS’s doublespeak , confusion , lack of commitment and too-cool-for-school amateur attitude. I currently using my caring quota on about 30 other acts you’ve lead us to and they seem to care back . go figure .
190 comments and counting ?? …hmmm
Bigskyiv
February 21, 2020 @ 10:00 pm
I have tickets in April. Very disappointing comments from Sturgill! Tyler is the victim here. I think you are spot on Trigger.
Biscuit
February 21, 2020 @ 10:04 pm
I saw just saw Tyler/Sturgill live in Birmingham. It was a great show. Tyler was great. Sturgill and his trio were totally on, his guitar playing was fierce and his voice sounded better than last tour. For my dollar, i liked this show better than the Sailor show. He played a lot of the new album and the material sounds great live cranked up. It’s a rock show for sure.
Brian
February 22, 2020 @ 6:49 am
Glad to hear it. Set list online just shows the 10 new songs. Please tell me he played more than 10 songs. I’m going to Asheville tonight.
Scoutman144
February 22, 2020 @ 7:41 am
Biscuit, you obviously didn’t go to the same show I did. The whole Sturgill set was a noisy shit show. The stunned looks on the faces of those who stayed and the mostly empty upper level at about 1030 speak volumes.
Scoutman144
February 22, 2020 @ 8:05 am
Biscuit trying to figure out how you posted s comment at 10:04 when the show wasn’t over til after 11.. if you had stayed til the end you would have seen how empty the upper section were. Don’t make assessments of a show if you can’t stay to the bitter dad end.
Trigger
February 22, 2020 @ 9:11 am
The times of comments here are set to Mountain time, I’m guessing because that’s where I was when I started the site. He wouldn’t have posted this until the end of the show.
Toddxolsen
February 21, 2020 @ 10:40 pm
The big thing I don’t understand about Sturgill is his beef with Nashville, the music industry, CMA’s etc. Because it seems like the real things in country like the Rynman, Opry etc actually pay him respects. But the bullshit things like Bobby bones, country radio and the CMA’s who have been out there pushing absolute trash music for over ten years now. Why would he want to be a part of that??? Why would he care about being left out by them? They suck. They pump shitty music and they’re all inauthentic. So why does he want to be a part of something he knows sucks? Why does he care? He’s 41 years old. Moved to Nashville in his thirties. Too much of a grownup to care so much about what other people think. Especially since he found his own way and made his own success. That’s much cooler in my book
He is an ungrateful baby.
Gina
February 22, 2020 @ 9:33 am
Exactly. You want to call out the music industry, great but don’t make it personal. In the Marc Maron interview, he basically said that he didn’t want to be a part of it. This makes him look like he actually does care.
TGWL
February 21, 2020 @ 11:01 pm
I saw him in 2016, on tour for A Sailor’s Guide To Earth. To say I was obsessed would be an understatement, but now…I don’t know. And would he care that our opinions of him are lowering? Like what’s the point then you know? Go play music for your family and be done with it. I think he has raging mental health issues, something I can empathize with, along with a healthy dose of imposter syndrome (again, I can relate). I don’t think any of us can truly know what it’s like to be that famous, be under that much pressure, and still have to act like you give a shit. I will just be very very very disappointed if this really all is an act. I thought the busking outside the award show was hilarious at the time but now I see it as super childish. I have tickets to his show at Madison Square Garden in May. I’m sure it will be good, but this still leaves a bad taste in my mouth going into it.
Heading into NYC next Friday to see Pat Green, Randy Rogers, and Josh Abbott at the Salute to Texas concert at Terminal 5. They’ve been doing this for about 12 years now (acts rotate sometimes), but they always put on a damn good show, are appreciative of the fans, and seem to truly love what they do. I’ll keep supporting artists like that. My obsession w/ Sturgill is definitely waning.
Julian Spivey
February 21, 2020 @ 11:57 pm
I saw Sturgill Simpson in 2017 (at least I think that was the year, maybe 2018) as part of the Outlaw Festival with Willie Nelson and other artists and I was entertained, so he can keep my money.
Travis
February 22, 2020 @ 1:03 am
Sturgill’s super fans are the worst, and the funny thing is they don’t seem to be major country fans, just Sturgill genital cleaners.
This week’s news really cements Cody Jinks as a legend for me. Genuinely humble, actually anti-Nashville unlike the edgelord Sturgill, independent, appreciative and country through and through
DJ
February 22, 2020 @ 7:14 am
That simpson guy nor jason who are good enough to polish Cody Jinks boots.
Never have been, never will be.
Like I said, twice this week- attitude.
Sarah
February 22, 2020 @ 5:03 am
Am I the only one who did not read the quotes from the interview the same way the author described them? Felt like author was reaching using words like lashing out, taking swipes etc. Maybe it’s just me.
The Original WTF Guy
February 23, 2020 @ 10:48 am
Nope, I am with you.
Farina
February 22, 2020 @ 6:03 am
The only thing I have to add is that even with Tyler, I didn’t feel the need to plunk down $$ for the upcoming tour. And yet when Jinks went on sale for a local show, I grabbed some the first day! I’ll happily support artists who care, or at least pretend to care. That’s always been my problem with SS. Show a little gratitude, bud!
JB-Chicago
February 22, 2020 @ 7:29 am
Yeah Cody is here tonight and I had no problem with paying $120.00 for my 5th row seat at a nice theater. I’d never go to a show at a 20,000 venue to hear Sturgill’s current noise (or any show for that matter) but I do feel bad for Tyler getting dragged through this mess. I’ll always support Cody, Whitey, and everyone else that stays true to what we believe on this site.
JB-Chicago
February 22, 2020 @ 11:18 pm
Just got home from an incredible sold out show. What I saw and experienced tonight was a true artist and an incredible band hitting on all cylinders. Cody’s interaction with the wildly enthusiastic crowd as well as the sing along camaraderie of the entire theater was the best of the 4 times in the last year and half I’ve been a part of. An hour 40 min give or take was perfect. Loving the new tunes and old! Couples slow dancing to No Words and the best Cast No Stones I’ve ever heard. Cody’s the best there is right now but I’m selfish and don’t want him to get bigger. My question is…aside from what Sturgill is now, was his Country peak even close to this? How? why, and with what setlist? Please enlighten me.
hoptowntiger94
February 23, 2020 @ 10:53 am
Only an hour, 40 min? I still had him in the 2 hour headlining set group. I saw him in Pittsburgh 14 mos ago. I thought he did close to 2 hours. He broke curfew which is rare, but that was the first of two nights. I think Cody is great in concert. But his last three albums haven’t moved the needle for me. I can’t listen to the last two because they hurt my ears. Which is a shame because I know there are some good songs in there.
But he has that “it” factor on stage and his fans are the best – no competition.
I’ll still stack Sturgill’s opening set with OCMS in 2015 against any Cody show though. I’ll look for it tonight.
Richard Lanahan
February 22, 2020 @ 6:38 am
Some people carry a gene that makes them think the are always getting screwed. Very few get as far as he has. I’ve never been drawn to his music, except that I’ve liked the not from around here approach of his former guitar player Laur Joamets. Should have but a lot of the songs, especially the melodies sounded like covers of songs by Waylon Jennings. Of course some of these positions he is vocalizing do sound like someone who has fallen hard off of some kind of wagon of sorts.
Scoutman144
February 22, 2020 @ 7:33 am
A review from the BJCC Legacy Arena, Birmingham Alabam. February 21st, 2020
Opening night of A Good Looking Tour:
Sturgill Simpson with very Special Guest,
Tyler Childers.
It should be billed as
“This great up and comer and his closing act”
Tyler Childers was pure awesomeness. He brought down the house. It was everything I expected. Singing from his heart and soul the way good music should be. I just wish he had played more and done an encore.
Sturgill Simpson🤮
WTF.
This boy done lost his GD mind.
He is into the sixth song and it is barely recognizable as music.
What a smoking pile of dog $**t this “new” music of his is!
As if it wasn’t bad enough now he is trying to slaughter a Willie Nelson song.
The only thing good about Tyler Childers opening is you can leave once the Sturgill Simpson shit show starts.
I think half the people are still here because they don’t want to be rude or they are hoping Tyler will come back out for a closing song and save the show.
My advice if you have tickets to this tour:
Come early, leave early
or try to catch Tyler on his own
scott
February 22, 2020 @ 11:03 am
Wow.
RD
February 22, 2020 @ 6:34 pm
I would have gladly paid the toll if I could be assured that Childers would play a full set. I don’t care to hear Sturgill.
Jack Young
February 23, 2020 @ 9:43 am
I’ve heard rave reviews about Sturgill so far. Seems like the people that don’t like it are people that already disliked sturgill or only like country music.
The Original WTF Guy
February 23, 2020 @ 10:50 am
Yep. The can catch GARTH!!! next time he comes around. He won’t say nothin’ bad bout no record industry, no sir.