Tucker Riggleman

Introducing my new poetry book, “The Wind Through the Sycamores is a Violin.” 70+ pages, 50+ poems, 7 years in the making. I have wrestled with these words for way too long — they’re yours now. Some of these poems were written shortly after 2017’s “Japanese Maple,” some were written recently, most were written during my time off the grid getting sober in the Monongahela National Forest. Poems about rabbits, West Virginia, copperheads, COVID, pocket knives, nature, death, Dwight Yoakam, recovery and so much more. Please enjoy one here titled “Minden,” a seasonally appropriate love letter to the best Halloween party house and my college friends. I’m working on scheduling some readings. If you’d like to help set something up in your town, please reach out. As I read over the final draft, I couldn’t help but notice the amount of poems that are inspired by my late mamaw Diana. She is my lighthouse. This is for her. Grab a copy at the you-know-where.

Thrilled and honored to pay homage to the one and only Jason Molina this Saturday, May 16th at the @foundrytheater in Huntington, WV. Myself, @william_matheny & @spineriders will be sharing some of Jason’s tunes before the WV premiere of @yffiofilm on the big screen. After party at @theloudwv to follow. I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the Molina tribute show I curated at @goldenponyva back in 2019, especially after hearing The Pony is closing their doors. It was such a special place for me and I will cherish those memories forever. I wrote a bit about it over on my Substack. For you Fairmont locals, be sure to swing by @mcpls from 11-1 on Saturday for the local author showcase. Sadly, I can’t be there in person because I’ll be on my way to soundcheck at the Foundry, but my books will be available courtesy of my pal @antoninijim who will also have his books available.

Celebrate the life and music of Jason Molina in Huntington WV! 📽️Join us at Foundry Theater for the West Virginia Premiere of the feature-length documentary, You Fuckers Figure It Out: The Jason Molina Story. ❤️ Family, friends, and his earliest bandmates explore Molina’s formative years through memory, laughter, and loss. It's the origin story of one of indie music’s most revered heroes and uncompromising voices. 👻 It is a Gen X celebration of our lo-fi youth, Ohio and Appalachian landscapes, and the working-class ethos that inspired Jason’s singular artistic talent. He remains present among us—in more ways than one. 🎸 This is more than a screening—it’s a night built around the music and the community that Jason continues to inspire. 🔥 Before the film, be sure to join us for Jason Molina tribute preformances by William Matheny, Tucker Riggleman, and The Spineriders. We'll be bringing Molina’s spirit to the screen and back to the stage in an evening of performance and remembrance. Then join us at the Loud at 9:30 for more live music during the AFTER PARTY with The Prenups, The Spineriders, and Elk Hound !!!! $15 🎟️🎟️🎟️ 🔗 in Bio Foundrytheater.org YFFIO.com $0 after party cover charge with a ticket to the film, but please consider making a $5-10 donation to help cover costs. Everybody is welcome! #jasonmolina #music #documentary #magic #diy

We’re getting ready for Arts Walk! @antoninijim @focus_your_iris and John Cale are here getting set up to move some books and wonderful art! Don’t forget @tombatchelorband starts at 2p in the beer garden!

Honored to have a poem I wrote about Fairmont included in the new issue of Kestrel, the @fairmontstate literary and art journal. The flood of subject ripped an apartment building located in between my house and the campus completely in half, displacing many individuals and families. I was glad to see the community response: FSU converted into temporary housing for those impacted, local agencies received and dispersed much needed supplies in record time, everyone gave what they could. West Virginia is complicated, but we tend to take care of our own, especially in the face of disaster. Thanks to all who stopped by to hear me read at the Artists in the Heart of Appalachia showcase at the @monartscenter — it was great to share some new ones and talk about the importance of orgs like @wvcreativenetwork who empower artists from a place so often overlooked by the outside world. Catch me at the May Arts Walk this Saturday, May 9th at @apothecaryalehouse from 11-4. I’ll be slinging books alongside my talented writer bud @antoninijim + other artists + live music. Spring is here. My rhododendrons are popping off. Love to see it. 🌸

✍️ In addition to publishing two new poems of mine, @picturajournal also asked me to answer a few questions about my creative process, who I hope to reach with my work, and some inspirations. Check out the full thing over at their site. 🎸 My @mountainstage performance with @darrin.hacquard is now available wherever you get podcasts! 📖 I’m reading poems from 6-6:30 p.m. next Tuesday, April 28 at the @monartscenter for the “Artists in the Heart of Appalachia” showcase curated by @wvcreativenetwork — I don’t have any other public readings on the books right now, so swing through and hear some brand new ones and pick up a book or two.

🎸📽️ 'n more🎸 SAT May 16th- Foundry Theatre- Huntington WV for only 15 clams! 🎫🔗 In BIO The Appalachian Film Festival presents for ONE night only: A Jason Molina Tribute Concert with: 💥William Matheny 💥Tucker Riggleman and 💥The Spineriders 🎬The West Virginia Premiere of the brand new documentary- You Fuckers Figure It Out: A Jason Molina Story 🪄✨ Followed by an after party at THE LOUD with MORE musical acts soon to be announced!!! Join us for a full evening in celebration of one of America's most unique, inspiring, and enduring voices in indie rock. #jasonmolina #documentary #indie AF #music #huntington

Green eyed alien WHAT!? Tell me if ya know. I don't trust any lyric that I have read to date! Ticket 🔗🔗s in BIO May 6 - Philadelphia, PA - Philadelphia Independent Film Festival May 16 - Huntington, WV - Appalachian Film Festival - with a BANGER of of program before and after. Why are you still reading this? GO! Go click the 🔗 in BIO. You know none of this shit is guaranteed, RIGHT!? I mean, no other selections are in. I HOPE, but as my grandad always said: "Hope in one hand, and shit in the other hand. See which one fills up first." And Y'all... Legit. The future of this doc is in your hands. I can't keep chasing people who watch shit for 3 fucking seconds. They are NOT Jason's audience. So they are very likely NOT the You Fuckers Figure It Out audience. Can you help change that? Festivals need butts in seats. If you are an artist of any kind, you know that. PLEASE spread the word!!! #jasonmolina #documentary #songsohia #magic #indie AF

Celebrated the love of my brother @xorogerharvey & @sissygoldfeets yesterday in Nashville with lots of buds. It was rad. Every wedding should happen at an American Legion. It’s hard to find a lot of light in this current world, but it’s there if you look for it. Love seeing one of my favorite people begin their new chapter of happiness. 💛

I’ve got a lot of cool things to share! 🎸 Surprise! The reason I’ve been in Nashville so much lately is in fact not to strictly eat at Dino’s late night, but to make a record with my dear pals. So honored to be part of the @william_matheny crew that made “Material Witness.” Whole thing drops 7/10, but you can listen/watch lead single “Mercy Journeys” right now. It is my best-ever bass performance committed to tape. ✍️ The awesome @picturajournal published two poems of mine that I am very proud to have out in the world. Physical copies just landed and they look great! I was humbled and grateful to discover that my poems kick off the new issue. So many talented folks included here—go check it out! 🎶 Last weekend’s @thecheapdates gigs were very fun. Wheeling especially showed out! Cool, grainy film photo by bud Levi Hill from @stonecampus 💜 📖 I’m making headway on the next poetry book(s), but a reminder that I am ALWAYS shipping signed copies of my first two books directly from me to you! Thanks to @michaeldavidstrayer for the recent order (pictured here). More reading/show stuff to announce asap. For now, I hope to see some Kentucky pals on 4/17 at @greenlanternbarlex for a duo gig with @mt_clark 💚 P.S. - You can pre-order/stream the new WM stuff, read both of my Pictura poems, and grab my books at the spot in my profile.

Some notes: - I’ve spent most of my adult life surviving on what is offered at gas stations. It’s extra nice when they’ve got a legit bakery inside. - teenage memory phone note scribbles can be cathartic - mountain streams still rule - my only living grandparent just turned 90 and he’s still running a goat farm (pictured with my sis who is wearing a t-shirt of my band) - catching fish hits better than most drugs - these trout books are related to my new Substack post (seriously, go follow along, I enjoy crafting these monthly posts for you mighty few) - Autumn still undefeated as cutest creature on planet earth

I don’t have a lot to say right now. I’ve been a little busier than expected so far this year. Really looking forward to a very chill back half of April and May. Eager to do some fishing and reading/writing outdoors. The world feels increasingly, impossibly terrible. Trying to remember to breathe and be appreciative of what and who I have in my life. Thankful for forthcoming poems in @picturajournal and Kestrel (the @fairmontstate lit journal). Thankful for cookbooks provided by neighbors. Thankful that my forsythia has bloomed. Speaking of which, please enjoy this poem from my latest book. It was written during the early days of the pandemic and originally appeared on the @helloamericalit website.