Speak Into My Good Eye Announce Wilco Tribute Album in Support of The Project Matters. Submissions Welcome.

I'll Be Around

Our longtime buds over at Speak Into My Good Eye have a track record of interesting compilation releases. Back in 2014, the site released a five-song covers tribute to Queens Of The Stone Age. For the last three years, SIMGE has sponsored a 24-hour songwriting challenge during which artists write, record, and submit an entirely new song all in a single day. Each of those comps raised money for a specific charity. Today, Speak Into My Good Eye are announcing I'll Be Around: A Tribute To Wilco. Due on May 5th, 2017, this release represents both the second volume in SIMGE's covers series and a continuation of the site's charitable efforts.

Proceeds from I'll Be Around will benefit The Project Matters, a 501 (C) (3) corporation that works to further the creation of music with an emphasis on aspiring musicians aged 25 and younger. Artists are offered a network of industry advisors and mentors who lend their expertise in the areas of business, technical, performance, and emotional support.

The choice of Wilco is significant explains The Project Matters' executive director, Karen High:

"Shortly before my beautiful son passed, he had me listen to two Wilco songs. Both from their latest release [at the time], Sky Blue Sky. The first was the track "Either Way" and the other, the title track. I started to listen and had to stop. Those songs affected me physically, and I started to cry. I have to say, it was a very strong reaction. I explained this to Ben, and he understood saying, "that's what it's supposed to do, emotionally touch you as a listener." Sky Blue Sky turned out to be the last CD he purchased. Jeff Tweedy was one of his influences. And I continue to be a huge fan."

Today, we also get the first track from I'll Be Around in the form of Being There's "Red Eyed and Blue" as realized by Jackson Pines.

"Ben was one of the first people to push Wilco on me," shares Jackson Pines' J.T. Makoviecki. "I had heard of them and liked 'Jesus Etc.' but Ben FORCED me to dig deeper; and when I discovered Being There, the record changed my idea of writing an album, and what pop music could do.

This song reminds me of Ben, not because of the references in the song, but because of how it's about recording; and Ben LOVED making records. Recording parts of my first album, YES (Makoveskus), in the Highs' basement were some of the best memories I have of my teenhood. Believing in music, doing it yourself, and doing it with Ben at the helm."

Speak Into My Good Eye are looking for additional contributions for a May 5th release of I'll Be Around. Any artists interested in contributing a cover or a re-conceptualization of any Wilco song can contact Michael Mehalick at mikemehalickmm@gmail.com. Contributions are due by April 28th.