Okkervil River is an indie folk band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. They self-released their first album, Stars Too Small to Use, which led them to the South by Southwest music festival.
After recording their first album in a garage, they signed with Jagjaguwar. Okkervil River continued by releasing four more albums, including critically lauded concept album Black Sheep Boy. After a period of touring for Black Sheep Boy, Okkervil River followed up with The Stage Names. The album sold 10,000 in its opening week in the United States. The group released a free covers album, Golden Opportunities Mixtape from their live performances. The band has garnered positive critical reception. Especially noted are each song's lyrics, intricate instrumentation, and thematic albums. In addition, they were recently featured on the talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien and have performed with high profile bands such as The Decemberists, The New Pornographers, and Lou Reed. Okkervil River released their most recent album The Stand Ins on September 9th, 2008. They are promoting the release with a series of cover songs from the album on YouTube by people they've met as a band.
Formation
Okkervil River's founding members became friends in high school in Meriden, New Hampshire, and after parting ways for college moved to Austin, Texas to live together and start a band. The band consisted of singer-songwriter Will Sheff, Zach Thomas on bass and mandolin, and Seth Warren on drums. Their first gig was at Steamboat in Austin on January 11, 1999.
Notable performances
* On April 30, 2007, the band played at 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, New Hampshire. This was the first time Will Sheff had played live in New Hampshire, where the band was originally formed.
* On August 28, 2007, the band performed "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe" on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
* On March 12, 2008, Okkervil River performed as the backup band for legendary Austin musician, and psychedelic pioneer Roky Erickson at the Austin Music Awards.
* On January 7, 2009, the band performed "Pop Lie" on CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman".
Discography
Albums
* 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 #62 US
* 2008 The Stand Ins - Jagjaguwar #42 US, #57 SWE
Split albums
* 2003 Julie Doiron / Okkervil River – Acuarela, split with Julie Doiron
* 2004 Sham Wedding/Hoax Funeral – Jound, split with Shearwater
EPs
* 1998 Bedroom EP – Jound
* 1999 Stars Too Small to Use - Jound
* 2004 Sleep and Wake-Up Songs - Jagjaguwar
* 2005 Black Sheep Boy Appendix - Jagjaguwar
* 2006 Overboard and Down – Inertia, Australia-only tour EP
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”
* 2008 "Lost Coastlines" - Jagjaguwar, 12”
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 / Down in a Mirror: A Second Tribute to Jandek
* 2005 "Westfall (Live)" - Workplay / Workplay Live
Other
* 2007 Black Sheep Boy (Definitive Edition) - Double album of Black Sheep Boy and Black Sheep Boy Appendix (Europe and US)
* 2007 Golden Opportunities Mixtape - A collection of eight covers and one original song released on the band's website
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