Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy marked Valentine’s Day with a heartfelt tribute to his wife, releasing a cover of “Love Takes Miles” by rising artist Cameron Winter. The stripped-down rendition, shared via Tweedy’s Substack newsletter over the weekend, offers a poignant take on the 2024 track from Winter’s debut solo album.
Tweedy explained his choice in a newsletter post, stating the song resonated with his understanding of enduring love. “It seems very true to me about how love kind of actually works,” he wrote. “I think you can perceive the immediate feeling of love over and over and over again. But the real love takes a lot of miles, a lot of time. That’s the kind of love that makes ground harder under your feet and colors stronger. It’s just not the same thing as puppy love.”
The gesture comes after a connection between the two musicians began to blossom last year. Whereas Winter was originally slated to perform at Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky Festival last year, scheduling conflicts prevented the appearance, according to reports. Despite this, Tweedy and Winter were spotted together in Chicago, enjoying hot dogs, suggesting a burgeoning rapport between the established artist and the emerging talent.
Tweedy’s admiration extends to Winter’s band, Geese, with his wife, Susie, expressing a desire to have booked them at her former venue, Lounge Ax, after seeing them perform on Saturday Night Live. “They totally would have fit in at Lounge Ax,” Tweedy relayed in his newsletter. This endorsement highlights a growing appreciation for the younger band within the Wilco circle.
Listen to Jeff Tweedy’s cover of “Love Takes Miles” here.
The cover arrives as Tweedy embarks on a months-long headlining tour. He will continue with the European leg before returning to North America with support from Liam Kazar and Finom’s Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart. The tour will culminate at the Solid Sound Festival in North Adams, Massachusetts.
“Love Takes Miles” itself garnered significant attention in 2025, being named the No. 1 song of the year by Pitchfork. Pitchfork’s coverage of Tweedy’s cover also notes the song’s impact and the connection between the two artists.
Tweedy’s gesture underscores a willingness to champion emerging artists and locate resonance in their work. The cover isn’t just a Valentine’s Day gift; it’s a public acknowledgement of Winter’s songwriting and a testament to the enduring power of connection through music.
As Tweedy continues his tour and Winter continues to build momentum, the intersection of their musical paths will be one to watch. The shared appreciation for authentic songwriting and the willingness to cross generational lines suggest a potentially fruitful relationship between these two artists.
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