The smart slate is feeding an hour, fifteen minutes, twenty seconds, and some odd frames to the high-def cameras placed around the room. One of these is sitting on a jib-arm, almost scraping the nicotine-stained ceiling tiles as it twists to get a clear view of the two hundred or so people squeezed shoulder to shoulder inside the Carousel Lounge.
The reason this light is being absorbed and laid to tape and sixteen millimeter film is that it may eventually be displayed on a DVD along with the sounds that are about to be played by the band Okkervil River.
I can only see a microphone from where I stand. I won't be able to see anything, but the top of singer Will Sheff's head as he jumps around and let's the music send him into mild spasms.
The band takes the stage and Sheff tells us there is alchohol in the back set up for for us, but to please buy set-ups from the Carousel. Then, with no opening band, we're brought right into an uninterrupted string of five or six songs that could easily fit onto a mix CD one might title "The absolute best of Okkervil River".
Throughout the night, we're treated to one of the most enthusiastic performances I've seen from a band. The crowd enjoys every song, but seems to pick as a group which songs it will sing along with. The favorites this night appear to be For Real, A Stone, and the always popular closer Westfall.
Every time I've seen this band, I've wanted to share with another fan how great the show was, but there does not appear to be enough fans, especially outside of Austin. While I might prefer the band stay small enough to play shows like the one at Carousel Lounge, the band deserves more recognition.
This thread is to discuss Okkervil River
One of my favorite bands. There's a really good mellow version of No Key No Plan here: http://myspace.com/ornag
I don't really have anything to add but my favorite album of theirs is Black Sheep Boy. Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See is close though.
:yabbse-grin: agreed...okkervil is one of the most amazing bands ever!
and, they are incredible live!
September 3rd. The Now Playing thread.
Quote from: modage on September 03, 2007, 12:04:08 PM
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wow. i'm pretty sure RK and a few others were all over their last lp, which i gave a listen or two and couldn't get into. but this one has been instantaneous.
That's how it began. A day later.
Quote from: modage on September 04, 2007, 01:55:50 PM
just to follow up i practically have not stopped listening to the Okkervil River album since i posted it here. i am OBSESSED.
That is almost true today. 35 days later and i have listened to almost nothing but Okkervil River. I have collected their entire discography and began my trip backwards.
The Stage Names i have heard upwards of 60 times by now. It's fantastic, huge, their most accessible. After hearing the lead song Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe a handful of times I decided to try the album which struck me instantly. It required no effort and with the exception of Savannah Smiles, every song on the album is the best song on the album.
Black Sheep Boy took a bit longer. For Real stood out right away but the rest of the album took some time to grow on me. It's less bombastic, sadder, a little rougher around the edges and with the Definitive Edition much longer. Now, I love it. Black Sheep Boy reminds me of Her Majesty, its a pretty little song about a minute long. For Real is still the most anthemic song on the album. Black and No Key No Plan are both great. Today I have not been able to stop playing The Next Four Months. Another few weeks and I may actually prefer this album to The Stage Names.
I've been sneaking listens to The Presidents Dead, For Real, Overboard & Down, Sleep And Wake-Up Songs EP's but am hesitant to dig into the other albums until I need to. I don't want to use them up too soon, especially while the newest ones still have so much to offer.
Everyone must listen to this band.
i must admit i have been consistently unimpressed with everything else you've hyped, except maybe the kinks. spoon especially was like "uhhhhhhhhh okay be done now".
but i will steal these albums, i just can't resist a good hype.
RK, back me up on this. now is the time for a groundswell!
Quote from: modage on October 09, 2007, 09:43:34 AM
RK, back me up on this. now is the time for a groundswell!
The band has gotten much bigger since the new album has come out. I stand by this being my favorite Austin band and one of my favorite bands playing today.
P, I don't know if this is your thing, but Spoon is also from Austin and I'm not nearly as impressed by them as I am with OR. Spoon seems more focused on having a "cool" sound than really singing with emotion. Get Black Sheep Boy first though.. that's the most impressive. I guess I understand Mod loving Stage Names the most since that's when he started liking them, but BSB is, to me, at least twice as good.
Mod, as far as full albums go, a lot of people really like Down the River of Golden Dreams, but I think the next best (next to BSB) is Don't Fall in Love... it's short and sweet and you have to listen to it before you see them live just so you can be prepared for Westfall (which they almost always close with).
They're nothing great. Some of their songs are kind of cheezy (our life is not a movie, I'm looking at you) but their fun. I wouldn't go Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga over them. But that's just me.
EDIT: Okay, I listened to Black Sheep Boy again and it is pretty good. I take back their nothing great. That was a bit harsh. Their not better than Spoon though. Their emo music for ironic people who scoff at people who listen to emo music.
why do you dislike Savannah Smiles?
that's probably my favorite track on the album.
Quote from: RegularKarate on October 09, 2007, 12:21:45 PM
Spoon seems more focused on having a "cool" sound than really singing with emotion. Get Black Sheep Boy first though.. that's the most impressive.
sunday morning wednesday night
advance cassette
metal detektor
paper tiger
vittorio e
I didn't get the Spoon trying to sound cool comment. More like trying to sound nerdy. Trying to sound cool would be some meathead band like Disturbed, Godsmack, or Guns N Roses.
Quote from: Stefen on October 09, 2007, 10:54:53 PM
I didn't get the Spoon trying to sound cool comment. More like trying to sound nerdy. Trying to sound cool would be some meathead band like Disturbed, Godsmack, or Guns N Roses.
you don't understand what I'm saying... not "cool" like a popular kid, but a cool sound... it's a character singing to me... not a person.
Oh. Okay. I get it now.
:ponder:
Fucking shit.
So I ended up on a short notice road trip to Denver for a business presentation and the only CD I had (since I forgot my iPod) was The Stage Names since I had thrown it into the backseat a few months ago because it was trash.
Wow. It's actually really, really good. I listened to it the whole way there and then bought a copy of Black Sheep Boy in Denver and listened to that on the way back (it was the only album of theirs I ever gave a chance and liked just a little bit) and it's even better!
I'm gonna revisit their whole catalog this weekend.
I even saw them live and thought they were awful, but now I think it was just that I wasn't into them very much at the time. Same thing happened with Animal Collective the first time I saw them.
My apologies to Mod and RK for the crap I talked, but I have seen the light! Embrace me and let me into your stupid club!
Welcome to the Club! Now we just need to recruit a few more members. Now that there is a break in the Radiohead insanity, hopefully people will have a chance to check them out.
I've still been listening to Okkervil EVERY DAY. Now I am onto Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See and Down The River Of Golden Dreams. Favorite tracks are It Ends With A Fall, Song About A Star, Seas Too Far Too Reach, Red, Lady Liberty and Westfall.
This is one of my Top 5 Favorite Bands now making music today. I'm DYING to see them live. Darjeewho?
Yeah... I think Down the River is probably my least favorite album of thiers, but it still has some great songs.
I got to see them again at a festival earlier this month.. the sound was kinda bad (could hardly hear the guitar) and they were tired from a long tour so it didn't blow me away the way they usually do, but it was still great to see them again (hadn't seen them since the incredible orchestra show this spring).
If we've even got Stefen converted, you others could give it a shot, right?
Quote from: RegularKarate on November 26, 2007, 03:28:41 PM
If we've even got Stefen converted, you others could give it a shot, right?
yeah i really hope so. we've got a few weeks till those Radiohead boxsets ship so I hope we can turn a few people on in the meantime. i'm predicting "next Wilco" status for Okkervil, so maybe it'll take one more album for them to really catch on. i did a little digging and found you can download a handful of my favorite tracks from their label's website. hopefully a few adventurous xixaxers will give them a shot...
Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe (http://www.scjag.com/mp3/jag/ourlifeisnot.mp3).mp3
For Real (http://www.scjag.com/mp3/jag/forreal.mp3).mp3
Black (http://www.scjag.com/mp3/jag/black.mp3).mp3
No Key No Plan (http://www.scjag.com/mp3/jag/nokeynoplan.mp3).mp3
The Presidents Dead (http://www.scjag.com/mp3/jag/thepresidentsdead.mp3).mp3
It Ends With A Fall (http://www.scjag.com/mp3/jag/endwithfall.mp3).mp3
Red (http://mp3.insound.com/download.cfm?mp3id=1382).mp3
Westfall (http://mp3.insound.com/download.cfm?mp3id=1383).mp3
I really wish I was in a different mind-set when I saw them live this summer. I would have enjoyed it alot more.
Unfortunately, where I live, we don't get a chance to see many bands since they come here and then never come here again.
Quote from: RegularKarate on November 26, 2007, 03:28:41 PM
I think Down the River is probably my least favorite album of thiers, but it still has some great songs.
I'm already in the club, and I can't agree! Don't fall in love is much worse! For the enemy? Anyone? Anyway, to reiterate what has been said over and over again in this thread: more people should listen to this band, especially if you like music which borrows from the 70s aesthetic (electric piano, telecasters, tasteful steel parts...) and has a lot of energy.
Quote from: RegularKarate on November 26, 2007, 03:28:41 PM
I think Down the River is probably my least favorite album of thiers, but it still has some great songs.
Quote from: Pedro the Alpaca on November 26, 2007, 06:16:31 PMI can't agree! Don't fall in love is much worse!
You so crazy, Pedro... Don't Fall in Love is great (my wife says it's her favorite, but she's almost as crazy as you)
Red - listen to the words and the emotion... tell me it doesn't make you feel something
Westfall - they close almost every show with this because they know it's the most exciting song they have... so dark yet dancable
Otis Redding - starts out so simple, then the strings kick in all Van Morrisony
Okkervil River - that rhythm? those lyrics... how is there not a clearly defined painting in your head when you listen to it?
Those songs are so great and the rest of the album is really good too (minus a couple songs that are just okay)... the percentage of greatness is so much higher on Don't Fall in Love versus Down the River
Quote from: Pedro the Alpaca on November 26, 2007, 06:16:31 PMFor the enemy? Anyone?
Quote from: RegularKarate on November 26, 2007, 03:28:41 PMbut it still has some great songs.
damn, just read this thread for the 1st time. you guys got me hyped. will buy their album(s) this eve.
Quote from: pozer on November 27, 2007, 12:37:09 PM
damn, just read this thread for the 1st time. you guys got me hyped. will buy their album(s) this eve.
just a note. their entire catalog is available on eMusic, which rules anyway but you can try it out for free and get 25 downloads.
http://www.emusic.com/
i think this is my first 'favorite band' that i don't own a single physical cd of. which makes me feel sorta empty. (and sorta free).
Quote from: modage on November 27, 2007, 01:54:15 PM
i think this is my first 'favorite band' that i don't own a single physical cd of. which makes me feel sorta empty. (and sorta free).
I got Stage Names on Vinyl and going forward, that's just how I'm going to buy them all. They come with free downloads of the albums anyway.
i bought the stage names, gave it a couple listens and couldnt get into the whole album. i liked the first few trax as well, but the rest was just too much trying to come up with clever rhyming to me. and the last sloop john b beach boys.. thing i just didnt understand. giving it another try tho.
Quote from: pozer on December 17, 2007, 02:25:05 PM
i bought the stage names, gave it a couple listens and couldnt get into the whole album. i liked the first few trax as well, but the rest was just too much trying to come up with clever rhyming to me. and the last sloop john b beach boys.. thing i just didnt understand. giving it another try tho.
Try Black Sheep Boy. It took me a LONG time to get into Stage Names. It's a grower.
mmmm...merry christmas.
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http://downloads.pitchforkmedia.com/GoldenOpp_OkkervilRiver192kbps.zip
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES Mixtape
Recorded live on tour, 2006-2007 (MP3 format, 192 kbps)
1. APRIL ANNE (John Phillips)
2. SIMON SMITH AND THE AMAZING DANCING BEAR (Randy Newman)
3. I WANT TO KNOW (Charles F. Olsen/Ed Sanders)
4. DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO (Jimmy Webb)
5. I CAME HERE TO SAY IM GOING AWAY (Serge Gainsbourg/Trans. by W. Sheff)
6. THE BLONDE IN THE BLEACHERS (Joni Mitchell)
7. ANTARCTICA STARTS HERE (John Cale)
8. LISTENING TO OTIS REDDING AT HOME DURING CHRISTMAS (Will Sheff)
9. SOLO (Sandy Denny)
I can't get Westfall and For Real out of my head. I'll be buying some of their albums, and I plan to catch their show in England later this year.
Mod, this is all your fault. Fault meaning thanks!
no mention of The Stand Ins?
release date 9-9-08
second half of Stage Names - originally conceived as a double album.
oh yeah the stands in is awesome
someone sent it to me last night! i can't believe this leaked already.
I'm REALLY digging the new album.
Is it just me or has Sheff's voice gotten so much better in the small amount of time since their last album?
I'm about to start editing a documentary about these guys.
Quote from: Ghostboy on July 24, 2008, 02:09:33 PM
I'm about to start editing a documentary about these guys.
cool.
can you give more details?
I would if I had any! My buddy and I just got a hard drive with 60 hours of 16mm footage to sift through. We're getting started in LA next week.
Quote from: Ghostboy on July 24, 2008, 03:32:57 PM
My buddy and I just got a hard drive with 60 hours of 16mm footage to sift through. We're getting started in LA next week.
Ka ZAM!!!! how awesome is that?! Let me know if it ties in at all with the show I started this thread about... always wondered what happened to that show (maybe they didn't like the footage).
and how come you keep coming to Austin and I keep not seeing you here? it's not that big of a town.
I bet it does have something to do with that show...although I haven't found any Austin 16mm footage yet. That doesn't mean it's not there, though. The more I work on this stuff, the more I get into the band.
Yeah, what gives? I passed you on the escalator at SXSW and haven't seen you since. I totally forgot to let you know about my test screening with AFS, too. I'll be back in town around Sept. 6th. Let's catch up!
Also, I'm about to send you a link to something Okervill-ish.....
If you go to the main page of their site (http://"http://www.okkervilriver.com") you can see the trailer I just cut for their new album...
I thought you'd done this awesome sonically congested metaphor for tour frenzy and recording pressure. But it was that I'd forgotten to press stop on the automatic player from the website.
It's still really good. Just more traditional than I thought.
http://pitchfork.com/news/41165-okkervil-river-perform-new-song-with-the-roots-and-ac-newman-on-fallon-reveal-new-album/
Ghostboy - what ever happened with the documentary?
We pretty much finished it, but I think they just lost interest in it. I think too much time passed from the time they shot it to now.
I'm shooting something new with them in a month or so, I think, which will hopefully see the light of day...
Quote from: Ghostboy on January 11, 2011, 01:12:12 PM
We pretty much finished it, but I think they just lost interest in it. I think too much time passed from the time they shot it to now.
I'm shooting something new with them in a month or so, I think, which will hopefully see the light of day...
Maybe at some point they will have enough video material to make a DVD and they can include that - or special editions of their albums...or bonus download with album...deluxe 2 cd/1 dvd stage names/stand ins. they probably won't do that, though they did do a black sheep boy special edition.
i love studio/recording videos, so i would love to see it regardless.
I just filmed some great stuff with Will on Monday night, it should be released sometime next month.
The studio recording of the song they played on Fallon is pretty amazing.
So excited. Definitely keep us updated!
I see Will around Austin occasionally... at bars usually.
I always want to say 'Hi' to him, but while I can usually talk to actors etc... I have a problem with bringing myself to say anything to him... which is funny because the first time I saw them live years ago, I didn't know what he looked like and talked to him for a few seconds before their show before knowing it was him.
So excited about the new album.
Quote from: Ghostboy on February 03, 2011, 02:40:26 PM
The studio recording of the song they played on Fallon is pretty amazing.
I forgot about this, so I just watched it. Sounds potentially very good. AC Newman wasn't very audible to seem to merit a cameo, so maybe his contribution to the studio version is more noticeable.
It is kinda odd for them to perform so far in advance - when this kind of thing happens does it have more to do with the host (Fallon in this case) being really big fans? I've never really known how bands get TV performances - if bands/labels are constantly applying and the shows pick or what.
Love the new album. Excited to know what RK thinks of it.
I really like it.
I was pretty up and down during the first couple of listens. It starts out so different, then sort of heads into "Down the River" territory (I think my least favorite album, but still great). Now I think I hear what the album is doing and I'm really into it.
Still need a few more listens.
LUCKILY, Saturday, they announced a surprise show. It's tonight and I have tickets. I haven't seen them in a while and I'm pretty excited!
That's awesome. I've heard it like, a dozen times or more since Friday morning. Tops 2011 for me (so far).
I'm supposed to be seeing them on Saturday with the Arcade Fire - except I stupidly booked some travel that sees me getting back to Texas three hours after the show! Desperately trying to get my plane tickets changed so I can make it...I can't imagine a better band to see them with.
Oh man, that show was great.
They were throwing it together last minute as kind of a home-turf practice show before they head out on tour so they had a noise curfew and couldn't play as long as they clearly wanted to, but it was still a good sized show and very high-energy.
They played the entire new album one side at a time with older material between the sides. There are three sides (the fourth side is just artwork) so it broke up nicely. Before they played, Will said that about 70% of the album was being played live for the first time (which was funny because the couple times he forgot a word or made a flub was with the older material).
The first couple songs and the last three songs are amazing live and the rest was good, but I think they'll probably grow as live songs as the tour goes on.
I was a little disappointed that they didn't close with Westfall. I don't know if it's because they don't do that any more with this lineup or because they had to stop early (the encore was one song long, they left the stage then came running back out because they found out they only had time for one more song).
Should be a good tour. Can't wait for them to head back this way with the polished road set.
Wake and Be Fine video really fits the stream of lyrics.
Just got this Tuesday. I'm surprised that this seems to be getting kind of swept under the rug in the indie community.
There is some really interesting stuff going on in this album. Sheff talked about it in detail on Spin a few months ago. If the recording or songwriting process intrigues you at all I would suggest looking that interview up.
I made it to their show with Arcade Fire last night. Seriously, such a good combo. It was also my first time seeing Okkervil play with the new lineup. They're really, really strong, especially when it came to the harmonies (they DID close with Westfall here, RK, so never fear, that's still in rotation).
Ghostboy, I hope it's cool that I post THIS VIDEO (http://vimeo.com/23616763)you made of Wills Sheff and Schaff meeting about Okkervil album art.
I really liked this. There was a ghostly feeling that I had seen it before (despite that not being possible).
Yes, you beat me to it (posting it, that is)!
We were trying to recreate something that was lost. : )
That was very interesting. Did the artist ask to never be shown in focus?
I would like to know what all you used in making that - mics/camera/editing software, etc - if you want to tell me, PM me.
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Holy shit! So I saw them last night for the 3rd time and they were amazing! The new drummer is a BEAST and he gives the whole band more energy. They were a completely changed band. The new songs are great (and dark) but the crowd seemed to only want to hear the older stuff.
I also had a realization during the show last night.
Okkervil River are my favorite band.
Quote from: bigideas on May 21, 2011, 09:23:25 PM
That was very interesting. Did the artist ask to never be shown in focus?
I would like to know what all you used in making that - mics/camera/editing software, etc - if you want to tell me, PM me.
Yeah, Shaff asked that his face never be clearly seen. We had to defocus some of it in post.
We shot it on two Canon 5Ds with a bunch of really old lenses and some lens babies and stuff. Editing was just Final Cut Pro. That was about it.