Tommy Stinson has always been a figure at the heart of American alternative rock. From his early days in The Replacements to his Cowboys in the Campfire project, Stinson’s sound has evolved, but his soul has remained the same. Kyle Meredith sat down with him to talk about his latest project, the new Tim reissue, and the magic of capturing a moment in time.
Stinson's latest project, Cowboys in the Campfire, is an understated, heartfelt collaboration with Chip Roberts, inspired by a decade of writing songs together. The duo’s new record, Wronger, blends folk, country, and singer-songwriter elements, a style that seems to reflect Stinson’s roots. "Chip and I have been writing since I met him," says Stinson. "He's my ex-wife's uncle, and we became fast friends."
The stripped-down sound of Wronger reflects the duo’s chemistry. "We figured out that we’re a duo," Stinson notes. "We’ve been touring just the two of us, and we wanted to keep it simple." Yet, simplicity doesn’t mean a lack of depth. There’s a cool mood that flows through the album, with touches of classic country that stem from the music Stinson grew up hearing. "Growing up in The Replacements, there was always Hank Williams bouncing around, then Black Flag, and everything in between," he says. "It’s all in there."
One of the album’s highlights is a guest appearance by X frontman John Doe, Stinson's longtime friend. "John played stand-up bass on the record, which was a first for him," Stinson says. "Those songs we did with him ended up being the nucleus of the record."
While Stinson continues to push forward with new music, his past is never far behind. The Replacements’ classic album Tim has just been reissued, featuring a remix and tracks from the band's infamous Alex Chilton sessions. Stinson admits the band members would have never released the outtakes themselves. "There’s a reason those songs didn’t make the original records," he laughs. "But Bob Mehr, who led this project, has done such a good job with it that we’re all grateful."
Despite initial reluctance, Stinson understands why these reissues resonate with fans. "We were all into the big Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones outtakes," he says. "It tells a bigger story about that time. You realize it’s not just about what songs made the record, it’s about capturing those moments."
For Stinson, the beauty of Tim—and The Replacements’ music as a whole—lies in the immediacy of their approach. "Some of our best work was done in the moment," he says. "The magic of songs like ‘Here Comes a Regular’ was that it was recorded in two takes. There’s something about capturing lightning in a bottle."
Stinson also reflects on the band's sessions with Alex Chilton, which have taken on a mythic quality over the years. "We were enamored with Alex, and thought he’d bring something magical to the table," he admits. "But after a while, we realized it wasn’t working the way we’d hoped." Still, those recordings add to The Replacements' legacy, providing fans with a glimpse into a band constantly pushing boundaries.
As for the future, Cowboys in the Campfire have been touring. Despite the storms, earthquakes, and fires threatening the world, Stinson laughs, "We’ll be out there playing as long as the Earth is still turning," always chasing that elusive moment when everything clicks.
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.
