We released our review of The Stand Ins earlier today, but we just saw the press release about Okkervil River‘s current tour. Their goal is to make the national tour “completely carbon neutral” by encouraging fans not to drive to their shows. According to an uncited statistic in the press release, “80% of a tour’s CO2 emissions are created by fans commuting to the show.”

The band hopes to cover the remaining 20% by selling stickers for $2 which will be used to “offset 300 pounds of CO2 emissions.” Interesting idea. If they were super hardcore, they’d bike themselves from show to show, lugging their gear behind them in one of those Burley trailers.

Press release:

In September the band will begin a national tour with a goal of making it completely carbon neutral. Because 80% of a tour’s CO2 emissions are created by fans commuting to the show, Okkervil River are encouraging fans to ride bikes, carpool, or take public transit to the shows where possible. The band has teamed with local bike advocacy groups to organize group rides to their shows and bring in additional bike parking where possible. The first community bike ride is on September 14 in Madison, Wisconsin. Additional bike rides are organized in Portland, Oregon, Tempe, Arizona and Athens, GA with more to be announced shortly. The band has also teamed with PickupPal, a website that allows fans to get in contact with each other and organize carpools. More information can be found at www.okkervilriver.com.

In their effort to offset their carbon footprint, Okkervil River will be selling eco-friendly and recycled stickers with the image art designed by Okkervil River’s own Scott Brackett. Each purchase will offset 300 pounds of CO2 emissions.

Remaining Okkervil River tour dates:

October 1 Birmingham, AL Work Play†^

October 2 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club†^

October 3 Winston-Salem, NC Soapbox†^

October 4 Richmond, VA The National†^

October 6 New York, NY Webster Hall†^

October 7 New York, NY Webster Hall†^

October 8 Northampton, MA Pearl Street Nightclub†

October 9 Millvale, PA Mr. Smalls Theatre†^

October 10 Buffalo, NY Tralf Music Hall†

October 11 Montreal, QC Les Saints†

October 12 Toronto, ON Phoenix†

October 14 Chicago, IL The Metro†^

† with Crooked Fingers

^ with Black Joe Lewis & The Honey Bears