Okkervil River

Okkervil River, led by Will Sheff, has established itself as an enduring indie rock presence, known for its intricate songwriting and evolving musical landscapes. After gaining significant press coverage from the Austin Chronicle following their inclusion in the 2000 South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival, Okkervil River, led by singer-songwriter Will Sheff, established itself as an enduring indie rock presence. The band had previously self-released their debut disc, ‘Bedroom EP,’ in 1998, followed by the seven-song album ‘Stars Too Small to Use’ in 1999, which was recorded with engineer Jeff Hoskins. Their inaugural performance took place in Austin on January 11, 1999.

Following their SXSW appearance, Okkervil River collaborated with producer Brian Beattie on their second album, ‘Don’t Fall in Love with Everyone You See,’ released on Jagjaguwar on January 22, 2002. They continued to record with engineer Scott Solter, releasing ‘Down the River of Golden Dreams’ on September 2, 2003. The band’s sound evolved with lineup changes, including Mark Pedini (2001) and Travis Nelsen (2003) on drums, and Howard Draper joining in 2004 as a keyboardist and lap-steel player. Their 2005 album, ‘Black Sheep Boy,’ garnered critical acclaim and was followed by the ‘Black Sheep Boy Appendix’ EP, featuring new members Scott Brackett, Brian Cassidy, and touring bassist Pat Pestorius, solidifying a new phase for the band.

Looking ahead, the band is set to release the ‘Band Together (Live)’ album in 2025.