New Tell-All Documentary ‘Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed’ To Debut In April

Four-time GRAMMY winner, Jason Isbell will be the subject of an upcoming documentary.

Throughout Running With Our Eyes Closed, Isbell discusses his difficult childhood and upbringing in rural Alabama, his creative partnership with his wife – singer-songwriter and fiddle player, Amanda Shires – as well as his struggles with alcoholism during his time with band Drive-By Truckers.

“When I have a hard day, I can’t just go home and have a drink. There’s no escape for me,” says Isbell, who has been sober for a decade, in the first look at the film’s trailer.

Directed and produced by Sam Jones, and executive produced by brothers Mark and Jay Duplass, the documentary features interviews with Isbell and Shires, as well as musicians Chad Gamble, Sadler Vaden, Jimbo Hart, Derry DeBorja, Patterson Hood, producer Dave Cobb, and manager Traci Thomas.

Running With Our Eyes Closed largely chronicles Isbell’s creative process and recording of his 2020 album Reunions with his band, The 400 Unit, and takes its name from a song on the critically acclaimed set.

“I won’t be satisfied unless this album is an accurate representation of where I am as a person,” Isbell says in the trailer. “Once you write a song, your mind isn’t focused on creating, your mind is focused on re-creating. You can only create something once, and if the tape’s not rolling, you’re just sh*t out of luck.”

Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed debuts Friday, April 7 as part of Bill Simmons’ The Music Box Series for HBO. Watch the trailer below!

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will release new album Weathervanes on June 9. Featuring 13 tracks (including the first released track, Death Wish), the album was recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio and produced by Isbell.

“There is something about boundaries on this record,” Isbell says in a press release. “As you mature, you still attempt to keep the ability to love somebody fully and completely while you’re growing into an adult and learning how to love yourself.”

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are heading to Australia for two very special headline shows at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on April 5 and Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on April 6. They will also take the Bluesfest stage alongside Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Lucinda Williams, Jackson Browne, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Gang Of Youths and many more.

I couldn't be more proud to produce for @SamJones or feel more connected to this @JasonIsbell quote:
“I won’t be satisfied unless this album is an accurate representation of where I am as a person.”
🖤April 7 @hbomax🖤 pic.twitter.com/75RRdo3Zyn

— Jay Duplass (@jayduplass) March 22, 2023