News
Nothing Special Out Now via ATO
Oct 07, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff has released his debut solo album, Nothing Special, today via ATO. Now he has shared a video for the album’s opening track, “The Spiral Season.” And you can also stream the album and read our review of it. More
Nothing Special Due Out October 7 via ATO
Sep 13, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff is releasing his debut solo album, Nothing Special, on October 7 via ATO. Now he has shared the album’s third single, “In the Thick of It,” which features Cassandra Jenkins. It was shared via a video for the song. More
Nothing Special Due Out October 7 via ATO
Aug 23, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff is releasing his debut solo album, Nothing Special, on October 7 via ATO. Now he has shared the album’s title track, “Nothing Special,” via a video for the song. More
Plus Hot Chip, Young Jesus, Whitmer Thomas, Hans Pucket, Suede, The 1975, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Aug 05, 2022
By Mark Redfern (with Joey Arnone)
Welcome to the 30th Songs of the Week of 2022. There were lots of strong contenders this week, although there was a pretty clear #1 and our #2 was a new band we’d never even heard of before this week. We settled on a Top 12 again this week, like last week. More
Nothing Special Due Out October 7 via ATO
Aug 02, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff has announced the release of his debut solo album, Nothing Special, which will be out on October 7 via ATO. Sheff has also shared a video for the album track “Estrangement Zone.” More
Plus St. Vincent, Leon Bridges, Sleater-Kinney, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
May 14, 2021
By Mark Redfern (with Emma Goad)
Welcome to the 18th Songs of the Week of 2021. This week the CDC relaxed mask guidelines for those who have been vaccinated, helping to further pave the way for live music to return this fall. Although, right now there’s no clear way for venues or stores to check if someone is vaccinated. More
Second New Song Released This Week
May 14, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Okkervil River (the project of Will Sheff and backing band) have shared a new song, “It Hasn’t Happened Yet.” It follows “In a Light,” another new song the band shared earlier this week. More
Second New Song Due Out on Friday
May 13, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Okkervil River (the project of Will Sheff and backing band) has shared a new song, “In a Light,” and announced some fall solo tour dates that will be co-headlining shows with Damien Jurado. Another new song, “It Hasn’t Happened Yet,” is promised tomorrow. More
A Dream in the Dark Features 12 Live Albums
Apr 03, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River (the project of Will Sheff and backing band) have announced a new year-long subscription service, A Dream in the Dark, that features 12 live albums spanning the band’s existence. More
Plus Men I Trust, Okkervil River, Phosphorescent, The Twilight Sad, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Sep 07, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Last week’s Songs of the Week was sparse, with only a Top 8 (and two of those songs were from the same artist), probably due to it building up a three-day weekend. There wasn’t much to write about at the start of this week, due to the Labor Day holiday on Monday, but labels, bands, and publicists more than made up for it with plenty of new songs the rest of the week. More
In the Rainbow Rain Out Now via ATO
Sep 07, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River (the project of Will Sheff and backing band) released a new album, In the Rainbow Rain, back in April via ATO. Now they have shared two new songs, “New Blood” and “Skiptracer.” Both are album outtakes and are being released in conjunction with their September tour dates. More
In the Rainbow Rain Due Out April 27 via ATO
Apr 16, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River (the project of Will Sheff and backing band) are releasing a new album, In the Rainbow Rain, on April 27 via ATO. Now they have shared another song from the album, album opener “Famous Tracheotomies.” More
Issue 63 Also Includes Interviews with MGMT, The Decemberists, Belle & Sebastian, The National, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Fleet Foxes, Parquet Courts, Noel Gallagher, Spoon, and More
Mar 28, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our Spring 2018 Issue, which is out now digitally via Under the Radar’s app and the magazine apps Readly and Zinio. The print version has shipped out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon. The issue features Courtney Barnett on the cover. More
Plus Okkervil River, The Go! Team, King Tuff (feat. Jenny Lewis), Hiss Golden Messenger, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Mar 23, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Last week we skipped Songs of the Week. Most of the music industry was in Austin for SXSW and thus few notable songs were shared last week, leaving us with not enough contenders to even put together a Top 5 we were truly excited about. So this week’s Songs of the Week mainly covers this week, but has a few songs from last week, including the song that would’ve been our #1 last week if we’d done a list. Hence we have a Top 12 this week. More
In the Rainbow Rain Due Out April 27 via ATO
Mar 20, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River (the project of Will Sheff and backing band) are releasing a new album, In the Rainbow Rain, on April 27 via ATO. Previously they shared the album’s first single, “Don’t Move Back to LA” (which was one of our Songs of the Week). Now they have shared another song from the album, “Pulled Up the Ribbon,” via a strange and cinematic video directed by Christopher Good. It features the band performing the song on a rock beach next to lapping ocean waves, sometimes playing a giant guitar as they are clad in clothes seemingly from the 1700s. More
Plus Anna von Hausswolff, Preoccupations, of Montreal, Iceage, Lucy Dacus, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Feb 16, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
This week Under the Radar favorite Courtney Barnett announced her new album and shared a new song and fellow favorites Beach House announced that a new album was coming and shared a new song. More
In the Rainbow Rain Due Out April 27 via ATO
Feb 12, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River (the project of Will Sheff and backing band) have announced a new album, In the Rainbow Rain, and shared its first single, “Don’t Move Back to LA.” In the Rainbow Rain is due out April 27 via ATO. The band have also announced some tour dates. Below is “Don’t Move Back to LA,” followed by the album’s tracklist and cover art, as well as the tour dates. More
Theme Song to Amazon Prime's Click, Clack, Moo: Christmas at the Farm
Nov 28, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River have shared a new song, “What Friends Do.” It’s the theme song to Click, Clack, Moo: Christmas at the Farm, a new Amazon Prime Christmas special based on the children’s book series Click, Clack, Moo, by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, which is about farm animals who go on strike and send messages to their farmer via a typewriter. More
"Our First 100 Days" Will Include a New Song Every Day for the First 100 Days of Donald Trump's Presidency
Apr 19, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
“Our First 100 Days” is an anti-President Donald Trump project. The good folks behind the “30 Days, 30 Songs” anti-Trump campaign during the election have teamed up with Secretly Group for “Our First 100 Days.” More
Taken From Amazon's Love Me and Love Me Not Valentine's Day Playlists
Feb 03, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River released a new album, Away, last year via ATO. Now the band’s Will Sheff has covered Roky Erikson‘s “You Don’t Love Me Yet” for Amazon and two Valentine’s Day playlists they’ve put together entitled Love Me and Love Me Not. More
Nov 14, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Legendary singer/songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen‘s death was announced on Thursday even though he actually died last Monday. Okkervil River were performing in Bristol, England on Friday night when the band covered Cohen’s “Anthem,” a song from 1992’s The Future. More
Oct 17, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River released a new album, Away, last month via ATO. Now the band has shared a video for “Call Yourself Renee.” Bret Curry directed the video, which was filmed during a recent U.S. tour by the band and features two fictional Okkervil River fans, a man and a woman, at one of the band’s concerts. You see the lives of the two fans outside of the concert, as well as them at the show and footage of the band performing the song live. More
Special Issue Takes On Sexism and Feminism in the Music Industry, Tackles the Election, and Features Amanda Palmer on the Cover
Sep 09, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our 2016 Protest Issue (out September, October, and into November), which is out now both digitally and on newsstands. We’ve done a Protest Issue every U.S. Presidential election year since 2004 and as before this issue features articles examining the intersection of music and politics and photo shoots with musicians holding protest signs of their own making. Then in mid-October we will be launching our charity Protest Auction, in which we auction off all the protest signs in the issue, with all profits going to the American Cancer Society. More
Away Due Out September 9 via ATO
Jul 06, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River are releasing a new album, Away, on September 9 via ATO. Previously the band had shared the album’s first single, “Okkervil River R.I.P.” Now the song has a video. More
Away Due Out September 9 via ATO
May 18, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Okkervil River have announced a new album and some tour dates and shared the album’s first single. Away is due out September 9 via ATO and below you can listen to its first single, the interestingly titled and fairly stripped down “Okkervil River R.I.P.” More
Two Nights in Brooklyn This Tuesday and Wednesday
Jan 04, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
2016 Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has already gotten some vocal support from several indie-leaning musicians (Jeff Tweedy, Neil Young, Killer Mike, etc.) and this Tuesday and Wednesday at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn some musicians are banding together for a Sanders fundraiser. More
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
Dec 19, 2013
By Laura Studarus
As is their holiday tradition, Okkervil River has released a third installment of their Golden Opportunities cover EP series. More
Winners Get A Download EP
Oct 03, 2013
By Laura Studarus
As previously announced, Okkervil River is transforming themselves into characters with their own video game. As of today, you can join their eight-bit world in all its wonder. More
Aug 26, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
After a multitude of insanely personal and creative pieces of promotion for the record’s release, singer/songwriter Will Sheff and Okkervil River will finally release their much-anticipated new album The Silver Gymnasium next week on Sept. 3. More
Features Chiptune Versions of Songs From The Silver Gymnasium
Aug 21, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Continuing to be quite creative in the promotional lead-up to his band’s newest album The Silver Gymnasium, an album inspired by his childhood living in Meriden, NH, Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff has embraced his ‘80s childhood roots by developing his own 8bit video game. More
Aug 15, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
On Sept. 3 Okkervil River will release their latest LP The Silver Gymnasium, a record inspired by frontman Will Sheff’s hometown of Meriden, NH. More
Another Shared Track From The Silver Gymnasium
Aug 08, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
For the past several weeks Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff has been providing a more personalized touch to the promotion of his band’s upcoming record The Silver Gymnasium, showing off childhood photos, playing in his old high school cafeteria, and creating an interactive map of his hometown, the setting of which served as the inspiration for the album. More
Also Discusses His First Bands
Jul 31, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
In the lead-up to Okkervil River‘s forthcoming album, The Silver Gymnasium, frontman Will Sheff has been providing fans a particularly intimate look into his years growing up in Meriden, NH. More
With Interactive Map of Will Sheff's Hometown
Jul 17, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Heading towards the release of their new album The Silver Gymnasium on Sept. 3, Okkervil River has shared another piece of the effort with the song “Down Down the Deep River.” More
Featuring Photos and Places From Will Sheff's Childhood
Jul 01, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
On Sept. 3 Okkervil River will release their newest LP The Silver Gymnasium. More
Jun 24, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Austin ensemble Okkervil River have revealed new details pertaining to their forthcoming new album The Silver Gymnasium. More
Off Upcoming LP The Silver Gymnasium
Jun 17, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Last week singer/songwriter Will Sheff and his Texan outfit Okkervil River announced that would soon be releasing their seventh studio album The Silver Gymnasium. More
Jun 10, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Okkervil River has announced the release of their seventh studio album The Silver Gymnasium. More
Reason To Believe: The Songs Of Tim Hardin Out 2/26 Via Full Time Hobby
Feb 22, 2013
By Laura Studarus
As part of Full Time Hobby’s tribute to singer/songwriter Tim Hardin, Okkervil River covered his dark ode to addiction, “It’ll Never Happen Again.” More
Listen to "Shock Corridor"
Jan 15, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Okkervil River‘s Will Sheff has announced that he has begun a new solo project called Lovestreams. More
Nov 05, 2012
By Matt Fink
Despite having once written a song titled “The President’s Dead,” Okkervil River singer and songwriter Will Sheff says he hasn’t really written any songs that he considers to be overtly political. But as a keen observer of the spectacle of American politics, he isn’t shy about expressing his opinions on the role of music in social movements and the extent to which artists should be using their work to push for change. More
Your Last Chance to Bid on Autographed Protest Signs Made by Tegan and Sara, Janelle Monáe, Death Cab, Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, Okkervil River, and others
Oct 23, 2012
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction ends in one hour at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others. More
Bid on Autographed Protest Signs Made by Tegan and Sara, Janelle Monáe, Death Cab, Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, and others
Oct 22, 2012
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction ends tomorrow, Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others. More
Protest Auction Ending Tuesday, Also Features Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, and others
Oct 21, 2012
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction is now on and ends Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others.
More
Kevin Barnes, Jello Biafra, Andrew Bird, Carl Newman, Will Sheff, and Tom Morello Discuss Obama's First Term and Musician Involvement in the Election
Sep 26, 2012
By Cody Ray Shafer
In Under the Radar’s Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now, we examine the intersection of music and politics. The issue includes an article titled “Barack Obama: The First Indie Rock President?” in which we talk to of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes, Dead Kennedys’ Jello Biafra, Andrew Bird, The New Pornographers’ Carl Newman, Okkervil River’s Will Sheff, and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello about President Barack Obama’s first term, and the erosion in support from musicians versus the 2008 election. More
Issue Also Features Ariel Pink, Passion Pit, Wild Nothing, Matthew Dear, Death Cab for Cutie, Janelle Monáe, Andrew Bird, The Drums, Tom Morello, Zola Jesus, Amanda Palmer, and much more
Aug 23, 2012
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is pleased to share our election year Protest Issue for 2012, on newsstands next week, featuring two covers with Dan Deacon and Tegan and Sara. The issue features major stories on the music of Occupy and Gay musicians talking about current Queer issues. The issue is now available to buy in the digital/iPad format here. More
Plus: Florence and the Machine, Beirut, PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi, SBTRKT, R.E.M., and more
Dec 23, 2011
By Mark Redfern and Laura Studarus
Under the Radar‘s Best of 2011 Issue has shipped out to subscribers and will be hitting newsstands soon. The issue features three unique covers, each featuring an artist behind one of our Top 5 albums of the year: M83, The Horrors, and Bon Iver. The issue also takes a look back at other artists who have made a splash in 2011, including Beirut, Anna Calvi, EMA, Florence and the Machine, Gang Gang Dance, Neon Indian, PJ Harvey, R.E.M., SBTRKT, Slow Club, St. Vincent, Summer Camp, tUnE-yArDs, and Yuck. More
Obscure Covers For Christmas!
Nov 28, 2011
By Laura Studarus
Okkervil River is offering fans an early stocking stuffer. Today the band released a free mixtape called Golden Opportunities 2. More
Includes Bonus Joanna Newsom vs. Robin Pecknold Interview, Plus Articles on The Dears, Dntel/The Postal Service, The Fiery Furnaces, of Montreal, Okkervil River, Saint Etienne, Elliott Smith, Sonic Youth, and more
Nov 23, 2011
By Laura Studarus
The digital version of Under the Radar‘s 10th Anniversary Issue includes the same articles that appear in the printed version—plus 70 extra pages of editorial content not found in the print version, including extra full page photos, 13 bonus articles, and 11 bonus reviews. The digital version includes exclusive bonus articles on Arab Strap, Clinic, The Dears, The Delgados, DNTEL/The Postal Service, The Fiery Furnaces, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes vs. Joanna Newsom, Mogwai, of Montreal, Okkervil River, Saint Etienne, Elliott Smith, and Sonic Youth. More
Plus: Paul Rudd vs. The Divine Comedy, plus interviews with Broadcast, Grandaddy, The Flaming Lips, Bat For Lashes, Rilo Kiley, Broken Social Scene, and much more
Oct 19, 2011
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar is excited to announce the release of the indie music and entertainment print magazine’s 10th Anniversary Issue which hits newsstands next week. The extra-sized 10th Anniversary Issue features cover artists Joanna Newsom and Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold together in an exclusive photo shoot and joint interview. Exclusive video taken during the cover shoot of Robin Pecknold and Joanna Newsom arm wrestling can be found here. More
M83, Lykke Li, Odd Future, Reggie Watts, Passion Pit, and More
Aug 02, 2011
By Margot Cooper Gruen
Today Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Festival announced the lineup for this year’s event, taking place November 4 - 6. More
Opening Dates For The Decemberists, The National, Okkervil River and More
Jul 27, 2011
By Margot Cooper Gruen
Wye Oak has announced more fall tour dates in support of March release, Civilian. More
“Your Past Life as a Blast” to be Released on 7”
Jul 06, 2011
By Margot Cooper Gruen
Okkervil River have announced they will be extending their fall tour dates in support of their May release, I Am Very Far. More
Auction Also Features Surfer Blood and Owen Pallett, and Includes Signed Posters, Vinyl, Headphones, and a Guitar Donated by Hooray for Earth
May 12, 2011
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar magazine’s online charity auction for the Japan relief effort ends today, Thursday, May 12, at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST. It’s your last chance to get bids in to win an Under the Radar SXSW poster signed by all the artists who played our party, either a guitar autographed by Hooray for Earth or top-of-the-line headphones from Shure, plus 11 pieces of vinyl, 3 CDs, 1 cassette, 2 bags, and an Under the Radar subscription!
More
Auction Also Features Surfer Blood and Menomena, and Includes Signed Posters, Vinyl, Headphones, and a Guitar Donated by Hooray for Earth
May 05, 2011
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar magazine is hosting an online charity auction for the Japan relief effort that starts today and features Okkervil River, Menomena, Owen Pallett, Telekinesis, Surfer Blood, Hooray for Earth, and Porcelain Raft. More
May 02, 2011
By Lauren Barbato
Okkervil River’s upcoming full-length release, I Am Very Far, takes them down a new and bold songwriting route. More
Mar 25, 2011
By Lauren Barbato
The third day of Austin’s infamous SXSW Music Festival included performances by Toro Y Moi, Still Corners, Puro Instinct, and more. More
Bands Record Exclusive Videos
Mar 21, 2011
By Laura Studarus
During the two days of Under the Radar’s SXSW parties we recorded exclusive greetings from some of the artists playing. In case you missed them on our Twitter and Facebook feeds, we’ve collected them here. More
Mar 01, 2011
By Mike Hilleary
With their upcoming album I Am Very Far scheduled for release on May 10, Okkervil River have announced a number of spring and summer tour dates. More
Local Natives, Okkervil River Join Them on the Road
Feb 19, 2011
By Lauren Barbato
Fresh off their Grammy win for Album of the Year—which nearly caused a Twitter meltdown as a result of angry and/or confused tweeters—Arcade Fire is heading on the road for a full U.S. tour. More
Will Sheff Writes Grammy Diary
Feb 16, 2011
By Laura Studarus
When they stopped by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last month, Okkervil River recorded a web-exclusive performance of previously un-released song, “Weave Room Blues.” We have the video. More
Issue Includes Interviews with R.E.M., Bright Eyes, The Decemberists, Cut Copy, Jens Lekman, Okkervil River, Panda Bear, Lykke Li, Iron and Wine, Elbow, Duran Duran, Destroyer, and more
Feb 11, 2011
By Mark Redfern and Laura Studarus
Under the Radar’s Winter 2011 issue is about to hit stands. The cover features Death Cab for Cutie, who gave writer Matt Fink insight into the band’s forthcoming album, Codes and Keys (due out in May). The issue also includes interviews with Bright Eyes, British Sea Power, The Dears, The Decemberists, Destroyer, The Dodos, Duran Duran,Elbow, Iron and Wine, Lykke Li, R.E.M., Telekinesis, Toro Y Moi, The Antlers, The Big Pink, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Jens Lekman, Okkervil River, Panda Bear, Vivian Girls, Anna Calvi, Porcelain Raft, Smith Westerns, Yuck, and more.
More
I Am Very Far Due Out May 10
Jan 11, 2011
By Kyle Lemmon
Okkervil River unleashed another preview of their forthcoming LP, I Am Very Far, in grand style last night on Jimmy Fallon, performing new single “Wake and Be Fine.” We have the video. More
Joined by A.C. Newman, Questlove, and Damon from The Roots
Jan 07, 2011
By Laura Studarus
Today, Okkervil River’s Will Sheff confirmed that his band will be taking the stage at Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Monday, January 10. More
Mumford & Sons, Okkervil River, and Goldfrapp, and Gorillaz Also Receive Nods
Dec 02, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Last night, this year’s Grammy nominations were announced. Among the bevy of expected commercial artists (Hello Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Eminem) a fair number of Under the Radar-friendly artists received recognition for their accomplishments More
PBS in the Midst of ACL's 35th Season
Oct 30, 2009
By Michele Yamamoto
This Saturday, PBS’ Austin City Limits will premiere a performance of M. Ward and Okkervil River. More
Untitled New Album Due This November
Aug 20, 2009
By Laura Studarus
Pop-jazz pianist and chanteuse Norah Jones will release her fourth studio album this November on Blue Note records. Using the untitled album as a chance for musical experimentation, Jones enlisted songwriting assistance from both Ryan Adams and Okkervil River’s Will Sheff. Adding some production umph is Jacquire King—who has previously worked with Tom Waits and Modest Mouse. More
Start Weeping About Set Time Clashes Now
Apr 14, 2009
By Michele Yamamoto
The set times for Coachella have finally been posted to the festival website. With a nerve-shattering 3 days to go, festival goers can finally agonize over conflicts, geography and meal times. More
Interviews
"It would be nice [on my deathbed] to be away from noise pollution and to hear natural sounds-birds, the wind, a stream nearby."
Jun 15, 2018
By Mark Redfern
To end the week, we ask Will Sheff of Okkervil River some questions about endings and death. Sheff is the singer/songwriter/main creative force behind the band, which formed in Austin in 1998 and has had various lineups over the years, with Sheff the sole constant. More
A Conversation with Cursive's Tim Kasher, The Mynabirds' Laura Burhenn, of Montreal's Kevin Barnes, Okkervil River's Will Sheff, and Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg
Nov 10, 2016
By Matt Fink
There’s a quote—now considered apocryphal—from legendary film critic Pauline Kael that for years stood as damning evidence of the extent to which people could exist in their own cultural and social bubbles. More
A Conversation with Billy Bragg, Deerhoof's Greg Saunier, Kristin Kontrol, Mew's Jonas Bjerre, Moby, Thurston Moore, Okkervil River's Will Sheff, Amanda Palmer, Henry Rollins, Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg, Superchunk's Laura Ballance, and Andrew W.K
Nov 03, 2016
By Matt Fink
On July 11, 2016, Democratic nominee for president Bernie Sanders officially endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, thereby ending one of the unlikeliest campaigns in American political history. It had been a remarkable run for the 74-year-old Vermont senator, going from barely registering in national polls to running neck and neck with Clinton throughout much of the primary. And, if public statements and Twitter endorsements are to be believed, the world of indie rock stood almost unanimously in their support for him. Vampire Weekend, TV on the Radio, Grizzly Bear-all performed for Sanders at his rallies. Killer Mike of Run the Jewels filmed interviews with Sanders to help spread his message. More
Oct 13, 2016
By Matt Fink
When Will Sheff started writing the songs that would become Okkervil River‘s eighth full-length release, Away, everything seemed wrong. He had sat by his grandfather’s side as he wasted away and died in a hospice. More
Nov 05, 2012
By Matt Fink
Despite having once written a song titled “The President’s Dead,” Okkervil River singer and songwriter Will Sheff says he hasn’t really written any songs that he considers to be overtly political. More
Sep 02, 2008
By J. Pace
Okkervil River singer/guitarist Will Sheff is having more fun these days. Before 2005’s Black Sheep Boy charmed critics, he was seriously contemplating throwing in the towel. “Basically, I was broke,” he says from his home in Brooklyn. “I was totally broke, and I’d been broke for my entire adult life.” More
Jul 02, 2007
By Jim Scott
Few lyricists today weave a story as intricate and involving as Will Sheff, lead singer and songwriter (not to mention sole constant member) of Okkervil River. More
Reviews
Oct 30, 2024
By Nick Roseblade
The Antlers and Okkervil River came to Brighton last night and both played blinding sets to an adoring crowd More
Apr 26, 2018
By Mischa Pearlman
Okkervil River vocalist Will Sheff—much like The National’s Matt Berninger—has the kind of voice that, regardless of lyrics, conveys an inherent and infinite melancholy. More
Sep 07, 2016
By John Everhart
Okkervil River hit the roll of their lives during the mid to late part of the ‘00s, with their albums captivating critics and fans alike. They were the unique act who broadened their fanbase while continuing to expand their artistic horizons, no easy task. More
Sep 03, 2013
By Jim Scott
Frontman Will Sheff has always sung with the conviction and passion of someone plumbing deep wounds, his voice cracking with the effort. Okkervil River’s seventh full-length effort, The Silver Gymnasium, finds the band a little more controlled, the emotions a bit more corralled, more focused. More
May 10, 2011
By Jim Scott
I Am Very Far continues Will Sheff and co.‘s remarkable run of albums, one that finds them at peak form and threatens to put them in a class all their own. More
Mar 29, 2011
By Mark Redfern
We were pretty sure that people would show up to our Thursday SXSW party because of our exclusive set by Atlas Sound, and while we were confident that we had an equally strong lineup for our Friday party (which was presented by Shure), we still weren’t certain how many fans would show up. But our immediate concern at the start of the party was whether our first artist would make it in time (if at all). Porcelain Raft (aka Italian born, London-based, Mauro Remiddi) had underestimated how far his hotel was from our venue (The Flamingo Cantina), was running late, and had a dead cell-phone and thus no way to let us know that he was indeed on his way. Thankfully the charming Remiddi arrived with a thousand apologies 10 minutes before he was scheduled to perform and because he’s a one-man band, was pretty much ready to go on time. The crowd, by the way, was as healthy in numbers as the day before, with a to-capacity venue and a line down the block most of the day. More
May 01, 2009
By Tom Vale
Not since Elvis Costello has any artist combined pop ferocity and magnetism with such challenging words. The standard rule is bitter and thoughtful = slow and delicate, but when artists escape that equation-when they recognize that smart people have blood in their veins too-they are justly hailed by their grateful minions in the press, like so: More
Apr 23, 2009
By Mark Redfern
On day three of Coachella My Bloody Valentine threatened to burst a thousand eardrums. As we entered the festival site around 12:30 PM they were handing out complimentary earplugs in anticipation for the aural attack. Other highlights included a blood-splattered Fucked Up, an energetic Friendly Fires, and the incredibly strange Throbbing Gristle. More
Aug 30, 2007
By Nate Daly
Lowlights are a six-piece rock band that give off a folk/country vibe with a slight psychedelic tinge. I would compare them to contemporaries Oakley Hall, but with more of a haunting, low-key Western feel than the Brooklyn band. More