• Dallas trash-talks the city of Miami. This has something to do with grown men playing round ball.
• Will Sheff (of Okkervil River) and Singer-songwriter Steve Earle chew the fat—and talk about the reasons they live outside of Texas.
• Human breast milk: the saga of the buyers, the sellers and the milk banks.

Beginning with his earliest days as a songwriter for both Shearwater and his own band Okkervil River, Will Sheff has been exploring worlds of strange beauty and emotional resonance that have sustained longtime fans and ensnared new listeners. Okkervil River's latest album is called I Am Very Far, and is scheduled for release in early May. Sheff spoke with us about the frustrations of finding new directions, the levity of chance and experimentation, car problems, and how even bad music seems to be less bad these days. more ›

On March 1st, Will Sheff and a couple members of his band Okkervil River gave a songwriting workshop at the Austin Bat Cave, a non-profit writing and tutoring center for kids. For two hours, Sheff talked with a group of high school students about song craft, listened to their compositions, and offered his encouragement and suggestions. The event culminated with a stripped-down performance of “Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe” featuring guitarist Lauren Gurgiolo and drummer Travis Nelsen, all of which was recounted by Rolling Stone magazine. more ›

On Sunday March 1st, local non-profit writing and tutoring center Austin Bat Cave will host a songwriting workshop featuring the homegrown talents of Will Sheff and Okkervil River. more ›

Born to a rickety plastic world that has since dissolved in a smooth digital sea, the mix tape has outlived its own name. For there is something about the basic structure, the essential production process, which cannot be changed. You must begin at the end and move backwards. This becomes an analog loop, unreeling and flipping back upon itself, transformed into an infinite self-portrait. Yet it always leads to the inspiration, away from the composer and back to the audience. Okkervil River’s latest creation is officially labeled a mix tape. Golden Opportunities is a collection of nine live songs performed in 2006 and 2007. The resulting album is a collection of old postcards and snapshots refashioned as a unique found object. more ›

Okkervil River The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar) more ›

We've been looking forward to it, were saddened at its postponement, are now cracking our knuckles until it begins -- tomorrow night's Okkervil River extravaganza at Hogg Auditorium. more ›

While Jenny Lewis still has her day job in the form of Rilo Kiley, the singer/songwriter/crush magnet also released the solo disc Rabbit Fur Coat in early 2006. Rabbit is a low-key, gospel and soul influnced late-night record with ruminations on parents, God, and of course love, and features cameos from M. Ward and Conor Oberst. The album is a departure from Lewis' traditional indie-pop, and features bluegrass duo The Watson Twins to set a southern and haunting tone to the proceedings. Most of the record's attention was (perhaps unfairly) directed to the cover of the Traveling Wilburys "Handle With Care" featuring Ward, Oberst, and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie, but that track doesn't really reflect the pretty but somber mood of the album. more ›

MONDAY [23] music • Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins with Will Sheff & The Blow at Stubb's music • Planes Mistaken For Stars, The North Atlantic, Mustangs and Madras, Tomorrow's Too Late at Emo's music • Howard Tate at Waterloo Records (Free, 5pm) music • Farewell Party for Tina R., from Jo's Hot Coffee, with Tina & The Jo's House Band plus special guests at Continental Club (10pm) music • Cue, Bullet Train... more ›

We've been given some free CDs and a few spots on the guestlist for tonight's I Eat Records label launch show at Emo's, which we're passing on to you guys ... because we love you! Yes, you. The gargantuan lineup starts at 8 and includes sets by (take a deep breath): The Glass Family Thor & Friends Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater The Casting Couch Orange Mothers Ethan Azarian Will Sheff (of Okkervil River) Hitchhike... more ›

This week's IST list is a work in progress. Bear with us -- we're tired and hungover. M O N D A Y music · I Eat Records label launch show at Emo's with: The Glass Family, Thor & Friends, Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater, The Casting Couch, Orange Mothers, Ethan Azarian, Will Sheff (of Okkervil River), Hitchhike, The Handsome Charlies, Fluffers Union, and Fine Fifteen. Benefiting SafePlace and Capital Area Food Bank, new compilation CDs... more ›

We've given the IST list a fab makeover - now with pictures, music links, and more! exclamation! marks! Whether you love it or hate it, let us know - we do this for you, after all. And we apologize for the delay in posting this; one word: meetings. Another word: narcolepsy. We're bummed that We Are Scientists decided to bail on their Austin show, but nevertheless there's a full week ahead of us. Pace yourselves,... more ›