Okkervil River’s Will Sheff announces debut solo album & tour, shares new song

Will Sheff, the founding lead vocalist and only constant member of Okkervil River, has announced his debut solo album, Nothing Special, due October 7 via ATO (pre-order). The album was recorded with recent/current Okkervil members Will Graefe (guitar) and Benjamin Lazar Davis (bass), as well as Dawes drummer Griffin Goldsmith, Death Cab For Cutie pianist Zac Rae, Christian Lee Hutson, and guest vocalists Cassandra Jenkins and Eric D. Johnson (of Fruit Bats and Bonny Light Horseman). It was engineered by John Congleton, Matt Linesch, and Marshall Vore. Here's what Will says about it:

When I was just a kid, I got caught up in the dream of being a rock and roll star. Like so many other young people, I fell in love with the idea of being called to this glorious path outside of ordinary life. And I ended up in a band with people who felt this same call - especially our brilliant drummer Travis Nelsen, who was like a brother to me. We would trade tales of hilarious antics and outrageous excess and tragic death like they were almost scripture. Travis and I fell out painfully, and he died in the early weeks of lockdown. I think a big part of Nothing Special centers around grieving for him, grieving for everything my friends have lost, grieving for the rock and rock and roll myth, and trying to open my eyes to a more transcendent reality.