Pitchfork

Wrens photo by Matthew Solarski, Okkervil River photo by Akmal Naim

Big doings in camp Okkervil River. Tonight at the Austin Music Awards, taking place at the Austin Music Hall, they'll play backing band for the legendary Roky Erickson. That will kick off a series of four SXSW appearances, which will be bittersweet for the band: they're the last shows Okkervil River will play with guitarist Brian Cassidy as a full-time touring member.

See, Cassidy and his wife Megan are expecting their first child, and Cassidy has chosen being a dad over being a rock'n'roller. (Probably a wise decision). Okkervil frontman Will Sheff said in a press release, "All the sadness we're feeling about Brian's not being able to tour with us for the foreseeable future is outweighed by our happiness for him and his family."

Cassidy's replacement? None other than Charles Bissell of the Wrens! Well, for now at least. Bissell will accompany Okkervil River on the road throughout the spring and summer, including on their spring trek with the New Pornographers.

In the fall, Okkervil River will look for a permanent replacement. Which means the Wrens can finally get back to work on their new album. Right guys? Right?

(P.S. If you tune in to WNYC today around 2 p.m. Eastern, you just might hear Will Sheff on "Soundcheck", chatting about SXSW with some dork from Pitchfork News, provided her plane arrives on time.)

Okkervil River dates:

03-12 Austin, TX - Austin Music Hall (Austin Music Awards SXSW showcase) !
03-13 Austin, TX - Yard Dog (Schubas SXSW party)
03-15 Austin, TX - French Legation Museum (Harp Magazine SXSW party)
03-15 Austin, TX - Stubb's (Soundexchange / Mojo Magazine SXSW showcase)
04-05 Dallas, TX - Granada
04-06 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone *
04-07 Bloomington, IN - Buskirk-Chumley Theater *
04-09 Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix Concert Theatre #
04-10 Pontiac, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom #
04-11 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall #
04-12 Munhall, PA - Carnegie Music Hall in Homestead #
04-13 Ithaca, NY - The State Theater of Ithaca #
04-14 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club #
04-16 Richmond, VA - Toad's Place #
04-17 Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre #
04-18 Nashville, TN - The Cannery #
04-19 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant #
04-20 Chicago, IL - Riviera #
04-21 Madison, WI - Orpheum #
04-22 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom #
04-24 Covington, KY - Mad Hatter
04-25 Hattiesburg, MS - Thirsty Hippo
05-16-18 Minehead, England - Butlins Holiday Centre (Explosions in the Sky ATP)
05-24-26 George, WA - The Gorge (Sasquatch!) #
05-29-31 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Festival
08-05-09 Oslo, Norway - Oya Festival! with Roky Erickson

* with Howlin' Rain
# with New Pornographers