Photo by Gabriel C. Pérez
Okkervil River has been the long standing project of Will Sheff. The group originally met at a boarding school in New Hampshire before making their way down to Austin. From their earliest Bedroom EP, this prolific group seems to be one of indie-rock’s finest hidden gems. The band draws from the classic arrangement of rock and pop music, but when paying mindful attention to the lyrics the true genius shines. In a similar vein of the literate lyrical styles of Leondard Cohen or the Mountain Goats, combined with the honest and vulnerable narrative of songwriter’s like Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel), Okkervil River creates curiously emotive music.
With the release of the song entitled, “Okkervil River R.I.P”, the fate of Okkervil River could seem unclear, but we can be assured that frontman Will Sheff has been working hard on new Okkervil material. In fact, they are back in full swing as they are ready release their 8th studio album, Away. The album is through ATO Records (Old Crow Medicine Show, Alabama Shakes, Margaret Glaspy), and Sheff has already claimed it to be his, “favorite Okkervil River Album”. I think we are only to expect good things from this group in the upcoming months.
We were fortunate enough to have Okkervil River stop by Studio 1A before they play the Texas Heritage Festival alongside Shovels & Rope, Girl in a Coma and Matthew Logan Vasquez tonight at Stubb’s. For now, you can enjoy their performance in the links below.
-Will Maxwell
