Oct 30th, 2008 · In a session from WXPN, Okkervil River performs material from The Stand Ins. The band's lead singer and songwriter, Will Sheff, reveals the real characters that populate his songs and how the new album offers a satirical look at the entertainment industry.
Sep 29th, 2008 · Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff shares some of his favorite (and fairly obscure) music with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen. The two talk about Okkervil River's latest album, The Stand-Ins and listen to some of the songs Sheff has loved and been inspired by over the years. Hear music from soul singer Lorraine Ellison, the 1960s Jamaican group Carlton and the Shoes, former teen idol-turned introspective singer Dion, and The Penetrators — a 1970s band some would call punk, others would call garage rock.
Aug 18th, 2008 · With fall rapidly approaching, we'll soon begin making a list of the year's best albums. Two bands from last year's top-20 are back in the running again for this year: Okkervil River and Of Montreal. We've got a sneak preview of new music from both bands. Also on the show: Steve Earle and Gillian Welch offer songs from their performances at this year's Newport Folk Festival; Jeff Hanson sings with an improbable, but stunning voice on his new album, Madam Owl; New York-based The Walkmen have a beautiful, airy new CD that's both timeless and modern; and The Broken West is about to release one of the year's standout albums — their sophomore release — called Now or Heaven.
Oct 10th, 2007 · With a sound that combines folk, indie-rock, pop and orchestral elements, Okkervil River crafts a groundbreaking and original sound, making the band a cultishly beloved up-and-comer. The songs on The Stage Names number among the group's finest work.
Sep 30th, 2007 · Propelled by the cryptic songwriting of frontman Will Sheff, Okkervil River makes dark, literate rock that's as explosive as it is intimate. Now on tour with one of the year's best albums, The Stage Names, Okkervil River visits Washington, D.C. tonight (Sept. 30) for a full concert, webcast live on NPR.org.
Sep 2nd, 2007 · Okkervil River's The Stage Names is a critically lauded album that touches on themes of a short story. But lead singer and songwriter Will Sheff says the goal is pure listening pleasure.
Aug 20th, 2007 · With a sound that combines folk, indie-rock, pop and orchestral elements, Okkervil River crafts a groundbreaking and original sound, making the band a cultishly beloved up-and-comer. The songs on The Stage Names number among the group's finest work.
Jan 8th, 2006 · Okkervil River is a body of water near St. Petersburg in Russia. It's also the name of a band based in Austin, Texas. Its songwriter and singer draws from the primal violence heard in some traditional folk tunes and the blues.