In what is becoming something of an unfortunate tradition, Wilco’s new Nonesuch album, Sky Blue Sky, has leaked online, more than two months prior to its May 15 release date. The group’s 2002 album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, was online for nine months before it was eventually released in stores, and 2004’s A Ghost is Born also hit the Internet well before street date. In the latter instance, Wilco fan site Justafan.org asked fans who had downloaded the album early to donate money to Doctors Without Borders, a fund which eventually grew to US$15,000 (RM54,000).  

Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy told Billboard last week at the band’s Chicago loft: “I think most people will do the right thing and support us and buy the record, even if they have downloaded it. Frankly, I would like to have people get a head start on knowing the material before we come to whatever town they live in,” bassist John Stirratt added with a laugh.