Jeff Tweedy & Nick Offerman Wrote & Recorded Some Woodworking Songs

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 20, 2016 5:41PM

NBC / Getty Images / Photo: Colleen Hayes

Well, this should be an absolute vortex of Midwestern affability.

Nick Offerman’s new book, Good Clean Fun, was just released on Tuesday, and, according to Entertainment Weekly, the audio version features five woodworking-themed tunes written and performed by Offerman (best know, of course, as perfect man specimen Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation) and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.

As Stereogum points out, Tweedy and Offerman go back, with Tweedy having appeared on Parks and Rec and Offerman returning the favor by directing a music video for Tweedy. Joliet native Offerman and Tweedy both have strong Chicago roots, as you may know: Offerman came up in the local theatre community (alongside wife Megan Mullally) and Wilco has made Chicago their adopted hometown for years.

The tracks are: “Music to Sand By,” “American White Oak,” “Raising the Grain,” “The Lazy Carpenter,” and “Good Clean Fun”

If we’re lucky, perhaps we’ll catch one or more (with a Tweedy cameo?) when Offerman takes the stage at his sold-out Music Box Theatre appearance this Saturday. Those kind of book appearance from Offerman tend to include lots of songs and storytelling.

In the meantime, you check out our review of Wilco’s latest, Schmilco, another sturdy, capable collection of don’t-call-me-dad-rock. Surely, Mr. Swanson would approve.

Good Clean Fun is available in audio on iTunes here.