One of the great things about Facebook and Twitter is having access to the progress of recording artists. The other day, Will Sheff of Okkervil River delivered some good news to fans–Okkervil River will be releasing a new album early next year. According to past tweets/updates, the new release will feature work with psychedelic rock legend, Roky Erickson. Erickson’s work has spanned over five decades, and he is a contemporary of Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa as a pioneer of experimental music. The album also features new member and former Dialtone, Lauren Gurgiolo on electric guitar and mandolin. I am wondering if Brian Cassidy has permanently left the band, as he is not listed on their site page as a band member. Cassidy reportedly left the band as a touring member to spend more time with his wife and daughter.
The band will hit the road on August 20 with a show in Salt Lake City before heading to Great Britain for two weeks in September.
Okkervil River – “Lost Coastlines” (mp3) from the 2008 album, The Stand Ins.
That’s great news, but I didn’t see anything on their twitter or facebook pages hinting at an album release early next year. All I know is the album is done, and I’m half sure it’ll go under the, Roky Erickson moniker.
I had to dig, but I found the reference. It’s actually a comment to a status update from Okkervil River, which I believe is from Will Sheff. Profile status on August 6 reads, “Last day in the studio with Roky Erickson & Trav & Lauren today, listening to the mixes we just finished. So happy with this record. -W.” Last comment (of 30 comments) to that profile status from Okkervil River reads, “So glad people are excited about it. It’s been such an incredibly rewarding experience, I can’t even fully explain it. Should be coming out very early next year.” That last comment is dated August 9 @ 2:46 pm. I guess I assumed it was an Okkervil River release, because it came from their Facebook site. I would be excited either way, but I am pretty sure we’ll be seeing a new Okkervil River album. Thanks for the comment.
Any okkervil river news is good news. Still, I doubt it’ll be titled only as Okkervil River, Will wouldn’t leave out the rest of the band members. I’d actually be much more excited to see, “Roky Erickson and Okkervil River,” as the release name. They’ve been working on something together since ’08. I’m sure there’ll be new OR tracks on it. I’m sort of predicting Will Sheff will reach Rick Rubin status, some time in the future. . . maybe with less of a beard.
sorry for being the only commenter. I have some more news still. Will played a show in Tel Aviv (my part of the world) and he played a new song called Silver Stone. It was absolutely great, and hopefully it’ll be on the new album. You can find a link to it here
http://www.mediafire.com/?zzdgmmcokww
(Berbati’s Pan 16/9/2009)
and a video
(Barby Club, Tel Aviv – 15/9/2009)
Thanks, Thaddeus!!! I need to highlight this…