It doesn’t take a serious rock geek to realize that record labels are all manner of clueless - from dealing with genuine talent to making logical decisions. But the inside story of Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart only reinforces that impression. Acclaimed alt-country band Wilco was nearing the completion of their landmark fourth album when their label Reprise rejected the work in progress and dropped the band. With a near complete album and no contract, the band decided to distribute the recording online. With Wilco’s profile fast outgrowing mere cult status, another label, Nonesuch, expressed interest in releasing Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. The irony? Nonesuch and Reprise were both divisions of Warner Brothers. So, in a bizarre triumph, Wilco had not only recorded a universally praised record but were essentially paid twice for it. Sam Jones’ I Am Trying to Break Your Heart famously captured the entire story, providing a unique insight into industry politics.

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Official Website
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart on IMDB
Behind the Scenes Look at I Am Trying to Break Your Heart