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I THINK THAT OKKERVIL RIVER is music that has very much to do with trying to engage people on a spiritual

level, says Will Sheff, frontman of the band. The Stand Ins is Okkervil Rivers latest output of alt-rock, and while

the spiritual themes may not be spelled out clearly in the lyrics, Sheff believes that one can hear themes in

the music. I have no kind of hostility toward my [Catholic] upbringing that I had from my fatherif anything, I

appreciate it more and more, he says. I think you can feel a lot of the effects of being raised in a more religiousclimate if you listen to Okkervil River.

While Sheff certainly has his personal beliefs, he doesnt want to force his fans into a place theyre

uncomfortable going. I dont think there are necessarily doctrines that Im expressing spiritually through the

music specifically, he says. I like to think that Okkervil is relatively free of any kind of agenda whether that be

political or spiritual.

Some listeners may hear uplifting music in The Stand Ins, but others may hear anger or something scary.

Sheff doesnt mind if someone interprets his music differently than what he originally had in mind, but hes not

out to make bleak or depressing art. Just because a song might look at some unpleasant aspects of an issue

doesnt mean that the unpleasant aspects are all that there are, he says.

Sheffs outlook on music and on life is clear. Ultimately, no matter how scared you are of something, its

most important to always look forward, always see the good and be optimistic, he says.

DYLAN PETERSON


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