Okkervil River’s kicking off a new series of performances, to be added over time to their YouTube channel, featuring songs from the prematurely approved The Stand Ins as performed by various guests you’ve probably heard of. The first album track to get the Stand In Sessions treatment is the excellent “Lost Coastlines,” with New Pornographer A.C. Newman Standing In for the Shearwater-bound Jonathan Meiburg. The song itself is occupied with Jon and Will’s fork in the road (although maybe not as much as “On Tour With Zykos”), Meiburg and Sheff taking turns singing their sides of the seafaring metaphors. In this version, though, A.C. sings the Will part and Will sings the Jonathan part. Which is smart. You don’t want to force Carl to step into some awkward emotional shoes and recreate weird relationship dynamics so early in the game. Plus this allows Will to try things from Meiburg’s side (“we sail out on orders from him” is a good moment) and, more awesomely/awkwardly, his baritone.
That comes via P4K, who also tell us to can expect a Stand In Session from Bon Iver, among others. Okkervil’s The Stand Ins is out 9/9 via Jagjaguwar. Meanwhile, Carl’s next studio effort will be a solo follow-up to 2004′s The Slow Wonder, due in January 2009 via Matador. It shall feature Nicole Atkins and drummer Jon Wurster (Superchunk/Mountain Goats), and then A.C. plans to get cracking on the next New Pornos record. Hear more on his projects at Spinner (via BV).
Finally — “Lost Coastlines” is a good song, so in case you missed it, you should have it:
Enjoy.
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Pour yourself another cup. You’ll get there yet!
I don’t get how “On Tour with Zykos” has anything to do with the Sheff/Meiberg “fork in the road.” It’s pretty clearly told from the POV of a woman in love with a touring musician (and there’s not much at all to suggest that the “John” in the song is Jonathan Meiberg). Neither of these guys is a homebody, so I don’t think the narrator is supposed to be a stand-in (har har) for either of them.
This is such a clever idea and a great way to promote the record.
Newman’s new album had better be released under the “A.C.” moniker, otherwise this is going to really screw up my iTunes.
Agreed… But a new Carl Newman solo is the best news I’ve heard all day.
The new record is gonna be really good i hear. Apparently that golden voiced new jersey songstress Nicole Atkins did all the female back up vocals on Carl’s new record. This could be really great.
I love this song, but it’s just not the same without Meiburg. And by that, I mean that it’s just not as good.
whoah carl, what’s with the big orange beard dude?
don’t hide that cuteness away……