Okkervil River
Will Sheff, lead singer of Okkervil River
Background information
Origin	Austin, Texas, United States
Genre(s)	Indie rock, folk rock
Years active	1998–present
Label(s)	Jagjaguwar, Jound, Virgin, EMI
Website	www.okkervilriver.com
Members
Will Sheff Jonathan Meiburg Travis Nelsen Brian Cassidy Patrick Pestorius Scott Brackett

Okkervil River is an indie band from Austin, Texas, formed in 1998. Okkervil River (Russian: ) is a river in Leningrad Oblast and the eastern part of the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Will Sheff is the frontman for the Austin, Texas-based indie band Okkervil River (1998–present). ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: , Country United States State Texas Counties Travis County Government  - Mayor Will Wynn Area  - City  296. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... Bob Dylans folk-rock album, Blonde on Blonde Folk-rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... Virgin Records is a British recording label founded by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, and Nik Powell in 1972. ... The EMI Group (LSE: EMI) is a British music company comprising of the major record company EMI Music which operates several labels, based in Kensington in London, England, and EMI Music Publishing, based in New York. ... Will Sheff is the frontman for the Austin, Texas-based indie band Okkervil River (1998–present). ... Jonathan Meiburg Multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Meiburg is the lead singer and songwriter for Shearwater (2001–present), a band he co-founded with Will Sheff in Austin, Texas. ... In popular music, indie music (from independent) is any of a number of genres, scenes, subcultures and stylistic and cultural attributes, characterised by perceived independence from commercial pop music and mainstream culture and an autonomous, do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. ... In music, a band is a group of musicians, or musical ensemble, usually popular or folk, playing parts of a musical arrangement. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: , Country United States State Texas Counties Travis County Government  - Mayor Will Wynn Area  - City  296. ...

History

Okkervil River's founding members became friends in high school in New Hampshire, and after parting ways for college moved to Austin to live together and start a band. These were songwriter Will Sheff, Zach Thomas on bass and mandolin, and Seth Warren on drums. Their first gig was at Steamboat in Austin on Monday, January 11, 1999. Over the course of two weekends in the summer of 1999, they recorded a seven-song self-released record called Stars Too Small to Use, with recording engineer Jeff Hoskins. Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area  Ranked 46th  - Total 9,359 sq mi (24,239 km²)  - Width 68 miles (110 km)  - Length 190 miles (305 km)  - % water 3. ... Will Sheff is the frontman for the Austin, Texas-based indie band Okkervil River (1998–present). ... Stars Too Small to Use is Okkervil Rivers second EP, released in the mid-1999. ...

They met Jonathan Meiburg at a gig with his band Whu Gnu at the Waterloo Brewing Company on December 3, 1999. Meiburg subsequently joined the band on accordion and later on pianos and organs. Jonathan Meiburg Multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Meiburg is the lead singer and songwriter for Shearwater (2001–present), a band he co-founded with Will Sheff in Austin, Texas. ... Whu Gnu was an indie rock band formed in Bedford, Texas in 1993. ...

On the strength of Stars Too Small to Use, Okkervil River was admitted into the 2000 SXSW music festival. Their first major press was a SXSW feature article in the Austin Chronicle on March 3, 2000. South by Southwest (SXSW, Inc. ... is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ...

The band met recording engineer and producer Brian Beattie at their SXSW showcase on March 18 and soon agreed to make a record together. They spent much of the rest of that year working on Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See. Warren moved to Berkeley, California in December and was replaced on drums by Mark Pedini. Dont Fall in Love With Everyone You See was released on January 22, 2002 on Jagjaguwar. ...

By the time of that year's SXSW festival, Okkervil River had received interest in their new record from the Bloomington Indiana-based record label Jagjaguwar. The record was eventually released on Jagjaguwar on January 22, 2002. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

One year later the band traveled to San Francisco and reunited with Warren to record their third album at indie studio Tiny Telephone with engineer Scott Solter at the console. Jagjaguwar released Down the River of Golden Dreams on September 2, 2003. Down the River of Golden Dreams is Okkervil Rivers second full-length album, released on September 2, 2003. ... September 2 is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 2003, Pedini left the band to pursue his graphic design work, leaving Okkervil River without a drummer for that year's SXSW. They invited Travis Nelsen, fresh off a tour filling in on drums for sister-labelmates Secretly Canadian's Swearing at Motorists, to perform with them - He soon became the band's fulltime drummer. The next year, during a long bout of touring, the band added keyboardist and lap-steel player Howard Draper as a fifth member. Secretly Canadian is an American record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. ... Swearing at Motorists is a two-piece rock and roll band comprised of Dave Doughman (guitar, vocals) and Joseph Siwinski (drums). ...

In August of 2004 the band began recording with Beattie again, finally putting the finishing touches on their third full-length album, Black Sheep Boy in November. It was released on April 5, 2005. As a result of this release's overwhelming success, Okkervil River followed up with an EP entitled Black Sheep Boy Appendix on November 22, 2005. This was the first recordings with Draper, horn & keyboardist Scott Brackett, guitarist Brian Cassidy, and touring bassist Pat Pestorius, who eventually replaced Zach Thomas in the band. Black Sheep Boy is Okkervil Rivers third album, released on April 5, 2005. ... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... // Extended play (EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CDs which contain more than one single but are too short to qualify as albums. ... Black Sheep Boy Appendix is an EP by alt-country band Okkervil Rivers released on November 22, 2005. ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On April 17, 2006, Okkervil River signed with Virgin/EMI in Europe. The label re-released Black Sheep Boy and its follow-up Black Sheep Boy Appendix as a double disc on April 28, 2006. Jagjaguwar eventually followed suit, releasing the 2-Disc "Definitive Edition" with extra songs and videos. is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Virgin Records is a British recording label founded by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, and Nik Powell in 1972. ... The EMI Group (LSE: EMI) is a British music company comprising of the major record company EMI Music which operates several labels, based in Kensington in London, England, and EMI Music Publishing, based in New York. ... Black Sheep Boy is Okkervil Rivers third album, released on April 5, 2005. ... Black Sheep Boy Appendix is an EP by alt-country band Okkervil Rivers released on November 22, 2005. ... is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Stage Names, their fourth full-length studio album (produced again by Beattie), was released on August 7, 2007. The disc features the solidified line-up that toured extensively on Black Sheep Boy and the Black Sheep Boy Appendix, with Cassidy replacing Draper who moved over to Shearwater. The album was met with acclaim^[1] and debuted at number 62 on the Billboard 200 with 10,000 copies sold.^[2] The Stage Names is the fourth studio album by indie rockers Okkervil River, due to be released on August 7, 2007. ... Shearwater is an indie rock band formed in Austin, Texas in 2001. ... The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. ...

See also: Shearwater (band)

Shearwater is an indie rock band formed in Austin, Texas in 2001. ...

Further information

• In 2001 Meiburg and Sheff founded a second band, known as Shearwater. Originally an outlet for Meiburg songs and some Sheff songs that didn't fit the Okkervil mold, Shearwater has gradually evolved into a truly unique entity. The band's 2006 release, Palo Santo (sans Sheff's vocals, but including his musical input), has seen Meiburg receive great critical acclaim. The groups still share many fans, and while on tour together in 2004 they released a limited-edition split-CD entitled Sham Wedding/Hoax Funeral.

• The band was named after a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya, and after a real river in Saint Petersburg.

• On April 30, 2007, the band played the grand opening of New York's Highline Ballroom at the request of Okkervil River fan Lou Reed, who headlined the show.

• On July 14, 2007, the band played the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, NH. This was the first time Will Sheff had played live in New Hampshire.

Shearwater is an indie rock band formed in Austin, Texas in 2001. ... Palo Santo is Shearwaters fourth full-length album, released May 9, 2006 on Misra Records. ... Sham Wedding / Hoax Funeral is a split CD featuring Austin, TX brother bands Okkervil River and Shearwater. ... Tatyana Tolstaya (also Tatiana Tolstaya) is a well-known modern Russian writer, TV-host, publicist, novelist, and essayist. ... Okkervil River (Russian: ) is a river in Leningrad Oblast and the eastern part of the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Lewis Reed[1] (born March 2, 1942) is an American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Discography

Albums

• 1999 Stars Too Small to Use - Jound
• 2002 Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See - Jagjaguwar
• 2003 Down the River of Golden Dreams - Jagjaguwar
• 2005 Black Sheep Boy - Jagjaguwar
• 2007 The Stage Names - Jagjaguwar

See also: 1999 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1999 Record labels established in 1999 // January 7 After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation. ... Stars Too Small to Use is Okkervil Rivers second EP, released in the mid-1999. ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2002 Record labels established in 2002 // 2002 was marked by significant trends in rock music. ... Dont Fall in Love With Everyone You See was released on January 22, 2002 on Jagjaguwar. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... See also: 2003 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2003 Record labels established in 2003 // January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It... Down the River of Golden Dreams is Okkervil Rivers second full-length album, released on September 2, 2003. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... See also: 2005 in heavy metal music 2005 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2005 Record labels established in 2005 Albums released in 2005 January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock-and-roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including... Black Sheep Boy is Okkervil Rivers third album, released on April 5, 2005. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... See also: 2007 in British music 2007 in hip hop Musical groups established in 2007 Record labels established in 2007 // January George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queens New Year Honours List. ... The Stage Names is the fourth studio album by indie rockers Okkervil River, due to be released on August 7, 2007. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ...

Split albums

• 2003 Julie Doiron / Okkervil River – Acuarela, split with Julie Doiron
• 2004 Sham Wedding/Hoax Funeral – Jound, split with Shearwater

See also: 2003 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2003 Record labels established in 2003 // January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It... This album release, a CD split between Julie Doiron and alternative country band Okkervil River, was released on July 23, 2003. ... Doiron on the cover of her Heart And Crime album. ... See also: 2004 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2004 Record labels established in 2004 2000s in music. ... Sham Wedding / Hoax Funeral is a split CD featuring Austin, TX brother bands Okkervil River and Shearwater. ... Shearwater is an indie rock band formed in Austin, Texas in 2001. ...

EPs

• 1998 Bedroom EP – Jound
• 2004 Sleep and Wake-Up Songs - Jagjaguwar
• 2005 Black Sheep Boy Appendix - Jagjaguwar
• 2006 Overboard and Down – Inertia, Australia-only tour EP

See also: 1998 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1998 Record labels established in 1998 // 1998 - The single Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls sets a new hot 100 airplay record, 18 weeks at number one. ... See also: 2004 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2004 Record labels established in 2004 2000s in music. ... Sleep and Wake-Up Songs is Okkervil Rivers third EP, released on November 2, 2004. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... See also: 2005 in heavy metal music 2005 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2005 Record labels established in 2005 Albums released in 2005 January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock-and-roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including... Black Sheep Boy Appendix is an EP by alt-country band Okkervil Rivers released on November 22, 2005. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... See also: 2006 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2006 Record labels established in 2006 Ti // January – James Nicholl, drummer of Pay*Ola became ill and was admitted to hospital. ... Overboard and Down is an EP by indie band Okkervil River for their 2006 Australian tour. ...

Singles

• 1999 "The Velocity of Saul at the Time of His Conversion" – Jound, CD single
• 2000 "Kansas City Single" – Jound, CD single
• 2002 "Split single with South San Gabriel" – Tight Spot, 7”
• 2005 "For Real (There's Nothing Quite Like the Blinding Light)"' - Jagjaguwar, CD single
• 2006 "The President's Dead"' - Jagjaguwar, 12”

See also: 1999 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1999 Record labels established in 1999 // January 7 After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation. ... See also: 2000 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2000 Record labels established in 2000 2000s in music. ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2002 Record labels established in 2002 // 2002 was marked by significant trends in rock music. ... It has been suggested that Childrens gramophone records be merged into this article or section. ... See also: 2005 in heavy metal music 2005 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2005 Record labels established in 2005 Albums released in 2005 January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock-and-roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... See also: 2006 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2006 Record labels established in 2006 Ti // January – James Nicholl, drummer of Pay*Ola became ill and was admitted to hospital. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Secretly Canadian. ... It has been suggested that Childrens gramophone records be merged into this article or section. ...

Compilation contributions

• 1999 "Omie Wise" (Live) - Aural Fixation: Local Live Vol. 5
• 2002 "Disfigured Cowboy" - Comes With A Smile CD
• 2003 "Riot Act" - Glurp / Almost You: The Songs of Elvis Costello
• 2004 "My Bad Days (Live)" - Comes With A Smile CD
• 2005 "Nancy (Live)" - I Eat Records / Appetizers & Leftovers
• 2005 "Your Other Man" - Summersteps Records / A Second Tribute To Jandek: Down In A Mirror
• 2005 "Westfall (Live)" - Workplay / Workplay Live

See also: 1999 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1999 Record labels established in 1999 // January 7 After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation. ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2002 Record labels established in 2002 // 2002 was marked by significant trends in rock music. ... See also: 2003 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2003 Record labels established in 2003 // January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It... See also: 2004 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2004 Record labels established in 2004 2000s in music. ... See also: 2005 in heavy metal music 2005 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2005 Record labels established in 2005 Albums released in 2005 January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock-and-roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including... See also: 2005 in heavy metal music 2005 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2005 Record labels established in 2005 Albums released in 2005 January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock-and-roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including... See also: 2005 in heavy metal music 2005 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2005 Record labels established in 2005 Albums released in 2005 January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock-and-roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including...

Other

• 2006 Black Sheep Boy (Definitive Edition) - Double album of Black Sheep Boy and Black Sheep Boy Appendix (Europe and US)

See also: 2006 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2006 Record labels established in 2006 Ti // January – James Nicholl, drummer of Pay*Ola became ill and was admitted to hospital. ... Black Sheep Boy is Okkervil Rivers third album, released on April 5, 2005. ... Black Sheep Boy Appendix is an EP by alt-country band Okkervil Rivers released on November 22, 2005. ...

Live albums

• 2004 Live at Schubas 05/09/2004 - Schubas eMusic / eMusic.com Download
• 2005 Live at Schubas 05/13/2005 - Schubas eMusic / eMusic.com Download

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Okkervil River

• Okkervil River's Official Website
• Okkervil River's Official Myspace
• Okkervil River in Rolling Stone Magazine
• Lazy-i Interview: April 2005
• Okkervil River Lyrics and Guitar Tabs
• NPR Story
• Okkervil River Artist Commentary
• Austin Chronicle - April 1, 2005
• Austin Chronicle - September 12, 2003
• Austin Chronicle - March 15, 2002
• Austin Chronicle - March 3, 2000