Catching Up With Okkervil River's Will Sheff

Musician Will Sheff grew up in Meriden, NH, dreaming of becoming a filmmaker. When he realized how much it costs and how many people are needed to make a film, he decided to try writing songs instead. The songs he writes for his band Okkervil River have the cinematic quality of short films.

The Austin, Texas band’s fifth studio album, "The Stand Ins," comes out next week. It’s a follow-up to last year’s commercial success, "The Stage Names," which catapulted the band into the top ranks of indie musicians. We caught up with Will Sheff while he was sitting on a stoop in Brooklyn, and asked him about continuing the themes and characters that were introduced in "The Stage Names" on the new album, and the challenge of creating characters that feel authentic.

Jagjaguwar Records will release "The Stand Ins" on Sept. 9. Watch a trailer for the album below:

(Photo by Christoph!)