Will Sheff

Okkervil River’s ambitious sixth album, “I Am Very Far,” bears the sound of band that has deliberately placed itself outside of its comfort zone. The band’s songwriter and frontman, Will Sheff, joins us to talk about the making of the album – and the stories inside its songs. Plus, he's joined by bandmate Patrick Pestorius for a live performance in our studio.

Twenty-two years after its humble beginnings, the South by Southwest conference is the music industry's premier schmoozefest. But labels, bands and fans alike are tangled up in retail woes and soul-searching over the future of music. We hear what SXSW has to offer guitarist Peter Buck of R.E.M., a group ...