Will Sheff, frontman of Okkervil River, is set to release his debut solo album this fall. Nothing Special is out October 7 via ATO. The record, which follows his nine-album run with Okkervil River, features contributions from Cassandra Jenkins, Eric D. Johnson, Christian Lee Hutson, and more. “Estrangement Zone,” is the first single off of the album, and it is accompanied by a music video directed by Johnny North, starring Marcus Paek. “I think of the ‘Estrangement Zone’ video as a kind of magical spell the crew and I were trying to cast, Sheff said in a press release. “A parable about endings and beginnings happening simultaneously.” Find it below.

“When I was just a kid, I got caught up in the dream of being a rock and roll star,” Sheff added in press materials. He continued:

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.

Sheff was inspired by King Crimson, Joni Mitchell, and Bill Fay while writing Nothing Special. He also looked to natural wonders such as the Southern California mountains, deserts, and lakes. Sheff began writing Nothing Special following a move to Los Angeles, where he deepened his spiritual practice, quit drugs and alcohol, and adopted a dog. 

Will Sheff: Nothing Special

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Nothing Special:

01 The Spiral Season
02 In the Thick of It
03 Estrangement Zone
04 Nothing Special
05 Holy Man
06 Like the Last Time
07 Marathon Girl
08 Evidence

Will Sheff:

10-07 Los Angeles, CA – Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
11-03 Iowa City, IA – Englert Theatre
11-04 Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
11-05 Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music
11-06 Milwaukee, WI – Collectivo
11-08 Bloomington, IN – Buskirk-Chumley Theater
11-09 Grand Rapids – Pyramid Scheme
11-10 Toronto, Ontario – Great Hall
11-11 Ferndale, MI – Otus Supply
11-13 Atlanta, GA – The Earl
11-14 Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
11-15 Washington D.C. – Black Cat
11-17 Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
11-18 New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
11-19 Woodstock, NY – Colony
11-20 Somerville, MA – Crystal Ballroom
11-21 Portland, ME – Space

Will Sheff: Nothing Special North American Tour 2022

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