Will Scheff

Somehow we stumbled onto a fantastic show Saturday afternoon at a little coffeeshop in downtown Austin called Halcyon. We got there in time to hear M. Ward (amazing), who was followed by Will Scheff, the wily and winsome-voiced lead singer of Okkervil River. Scheff played a set of strung-out, extravagantly narrative songs to a rapt audience. He seemed happy to be there but eager to deflect overzealous fandom with wry remarks about corporate sponsorship. The wryness is in keeping with the music, which is equal parts heartbreak and go f—k yourself I’m better off now anyway. Seeing Scheff alone was fantastic; I can’t wait to see him with the rest of the band.