Okkervil River

Since forming in late 1998, Okkervil River won wide critical acclaim for their emotive, ragged performances and literate songwriting. The band formed when guitarist, singer and songwriter Will Sheff started playing with mandolin and bass player Zach Thomas and drummer Seth Warren. The trio's influences ran the gamut of the American folk music canon including the Carter Family, Doc Watson and The Stanley Brothers, becoming a quick darling of their adopted hometown of Austin, Texas. After issuing 1999's debut on the tiny Jound label, they signed with Bloomington, Indiana-based Jagjaguwar.