Conor Mullen Oberst is an American
singer-songwriterSinger-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including
DesaparecidosDesaparecidos was a short-lived American emo/post-hardcore band. It was a side project headed by singer/guitarist Conor Oberst, the frontman of the indie folk band Bright Eyes....
, Norman Bailer (
The FaintThe Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Jacob Thiele, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst...
),
Commander VenusCommander Venus was an American emo band from Omaha, Nebraska. Fronted by Conor Oberst and Tim Kasher, the band also included Todd Fink and Matt Bowen of The Faint, Ben Armstrong of Head of Femur and Robb Nansel, executive producer of the indie label Saddle Creek...
,
Park Ave.Park Ave. was an indie pop band which started in January 1996 in Omaha, Nebraska.The band lasted only two and a half years, but still retains a substantial fanbase. During their short time together, Park Ave. received rave reviews for their brand of indie pop music...
,
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley BandConor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band is the name taken by Conor Oberst and his backing band, which is composed of Nik Freitas , Taylor Hollingsworth , Macey Taylor , Nate Walcott and Jason Boesel .-History:...
, and
Monsters of FolkMonsters of Folk is an American supergroup, consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes, and M. Ward, renowned solo artist. The band was formed in 2004 when the members were on tour with their respective bands and solo projects. After playing...
.
Musical career
Oberst began his musical career at age 13 while at St. Pius X/St. Leo School in
Omaha, NebraskaOmaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. He was in the school
choirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
and other musical groups at the school. One night in 1992,
Ted StevensTed Stevens is an American rock musician from Omaha, Nebraska, best known as the guitarist and backup singer for the band Cursive, as well as fronting Mayday...
(of
MaydayMayday is a band from Omaha, Nebraska, on the Saddle Creek Records label, led by Ted Stevens, also of Cursive and Lullaby for the Working Class.-Band members:*Ted Stevens*Tiffany Kowalski*Daniel J...
and
CursiveCursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
) invited Oberst onstage to play. Bill Hoover, who was in attendance, invited Oberst to come back to play with him a couple of weeks later. In that short amount of time, Oberst wrote enough songs to fill out the set, establishing himself as an artist. Shortly thereafter, Oberst began committing his new
repertoireRepertoire may mean repertory, a system of theatrical production and performance scheduling, but may also refer to:* Musical repertoire* Repertoire Records, a German record label specialising in 1960s and 1970s pop and rock reissues...
to tape in his parents'
basement__FORCETOC__A basement is one or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor. Basements are typically used as a utility space for a building where such items as the furnace, water heater, breaker panel or fuse box, car park, and air-conditioning system...
with his father's four track cassette recorder and an
acoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
.
In mid-1993, Oberst self-released his debut album
WaterWater is the debut album of Conor Oberst and the first release on Lumberjack Records, the label that would become Saddle Creek. It was released as a cassette tape, and came in 300 copies only, in five different colors on the covers .-Track listing:All songs by Conor Oberst.#"You Should Be in...
on cassette tape. The release of the album was financed by his brother Justin on what they called Lumberjack Records, the indie label that would become
Saddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
, making them
foundersAn entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and present day executives of the label.
Shortly after his two solo recordings, Oberst began playing with four friends; they formed
Commander VenusCommander Venus was an American emo band from Omaha, Nebraska. Fronted by Conor Oberst and Tim Kasher, the band also included Todd Fink and Matt Bowen of The Faint, Ben Armstrong of Head of Femur and Robb Nansel, executive producer of the indie label Saddle Creek...
in mid-1995.
Here's to Special Treatment was followed by 1996's
The Soundtrack to My MovieThe Soundtrack to My Movie is the third album by American singer-songwriter Conor Oberst. It was a cassette only release on Omaha, Nebraska indie label Sing, Eunuchs!. The songs were recorded to four-track in Oberst's basement during the same sessions that produced the first Bright Eyes album, A...
, a cassette only released on Sing Eunuchs!.
Kill the Monster Before It Eats BabyKill the Monster Before It Eats Baby is a split EP by Bill Hoover and Conor Oberst.-Track listing:#"Ballad of Willie Shaw" #"Play Aligator on Escalator" #"North of the City" #"Lake Havasu "...
, a split 7" vinyl with Bill Hoover, was also released around this time.
The Faint
In 1994, following a
Slowdown VirginiaSlowdown Virginia was an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Lumberjack Records, the predecessor to today's Saddle Creek records.-Biography:...
show, Oberst, along with friends Joel Petersen,
Todd FinkTodd Fink from Omaha, Nebraska is the lead singer of the band The Faint. He attended Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska....
(formerly Todd Baechle) and
Clark BaechleClark Alan Baechle is the drummer in the band The Faint. He also played in another Nebraskan band, Park Ave. He has also played on many releases and tours for Bright Eyes, playing drums and clarinet...
, formed a band called Norman Bailer, later known as
The FaintThe Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Jacob Thiele, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst...
.
A few days later, Oberst told the other members of the band that they had a show in two weeks at Kilgore's. Despite having never performed together, they produced nine songs to perform. An album,
Sine SierraSine Sierra is The Faint's debut album, released in 1995. At the time, the band was known as Norman Bailer. The album was released by Lumberjack Records on cassette only. Conor Oberst, of Bright Eyes, was in the band at the time...
was released on cassette only in 1995.
Commander Venus
Oberst formed the rock band
Commander VenusCommander Venus was an American emo band from Omaha, Nebraska. Fronted by Conor Oberst and Tim Kasher, the band also included Todd Fink and Matt Bowen of The Faint, Ben Armstrong of Head of Femur and Robb Nansel, executive producer of the indie label Saddle Creek...
in 1994 with
Tim KasherTim Kasher is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska, and is the frontman of indie rock groups Cursive and The Good Life, both of which are on the Omaha based record label Saddle Creek Records. Prior to those bands, Kasher was in a band called Slowdown Virginia...
,
Todd BaechleTodd Fink from Omaha, Nebraska is the lead singer of the band The Faint. He attended Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska....
, Ben Armstrong, and
Robb NanselRobb Nansel is an Omaha musician and co-founder of Saddle Creek Records . He is also credited as a member of Commander Venus and Bright Eyes.-Album Appearances:*Bright Eyes - Letting off the Happiness...
. They recorded two albums: Do You Feel at Home? (1995) and
The Uneventful VacationThe Uneventful Vacation is the second and final album released by American emo band Commander Venus in 1997. The album was recorded during the summer of the band's freshman year in high school...
(1997). Kasher later went on to form
CursiveCursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
, Baechle became the vocalist for
The FaintThe Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Jacob Thiele, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst...
and Nansel was the co-founder of Saddle Creek Records. Kasher left the group to focus on
CursiveCursive, also known as joined-up writing, joint writing, or running writing, is any style of handwriting in which the symbols of the language are written in a simplified and/or flowing manner, generally for the purpose of making writing easier or faster...
as they were about to go in to the studio to record their second album, and was replaced by Todd Baechle. Commander Venus disbanded in 1998.
The Magnetas
The MagnetasThe Magnetas were an American band from Omaha, Nebraska, only active in 1996, featuring young Conor Oberst , Todd Fink , and Chris Hughes , all of whom are currently signed to Saddle Creek Records.Their only officially released recording is "Annex Anex" on the Parts Compilation CD from Ghostmeat...
were only active for a very brief period of time in 1996 in Omaha, Nebraska. Along with Oberst, band members included
Todd FinkTodd Fink from Omaha, Nebraska is the lead singer of the band The Faint. He attended Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska....
(
The FaintThe Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Jacob Thiele, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst...
) and Chris Hughes (
Beep BeepBeep Beep is a rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records. The band was formed in July 2001 by Eric Bemberger and Chris Hughes, formerly of Saddle Creek group Gabardine. Former member Joel Petersen plays bass in The Faint and also has his own electronica project, Broken Spindles. ...
). They recorded three songs, only one of which ("Anex Anex") was released on
Ghostmeat RecordsGhostmeat Records was established in South Carolina in 1994 before moving to Georgia in 1995. Ghostmeat was formed by Russ Hallauer, a musician from the band Sunbrain...
' Parts compilation album. Two other confirmed recordings exist: "Clatter" and "Science Fiction in Schools."
Park Ave.
In January 1996, Oberst began playing drums in a group named
Park Ave.Park Ave. was an indie pop band which started in January 1996 in Omaha, Nebraska.The band lasted only two and a half years, but still retains a substantial fanbase. During their short time together, Park Ave. received rave reviews for their brand of indie pop music...
, alongside Baechle, Jenn Bernard,
Neely JenkinsNeely Jo Jenkins is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska best known for being a singer in the band Tilly and the Wall. She was also a member of the band Park Ave. with Tilly and the Wall bandmate Jamie Pressnall, . Previously, Jenkins sang "Contrast and Compare" and "Pull My Hair" with Bright Eyes on...
(now in the band
Tilly and the WallTilly and the Wall is an indie pop group from Omaha, Nebraska. Their name originated from a children's book called Tillie and the Wall, written by Leo Lionni...
), and
Jamie WilliamsJamie Lynn Pressnall is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska and is a member of the band Tilly and the Wall. She was also in a band with Clark Baechle, Neely Jenkins, and Conor Oberst called Park Ave. and a band called Magic Kiss with Kianna Alarid...
(also in
Tilly and the WallTilly and the Wall is an indie pop group from Omaha, Nebraska. Their name originated from a children's book called Tillie and the Wall, written by Leo Lionni...
). The group only played between 10 and 15 shows and made a handful of recordings (several of them with
Mike MogisMike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
as producer). The group disbanded in 1998 when Williams, the singer and primary songwriter, moved to London, England. In 1999, Urinine Records released their only album, When Jamie Went to London...We Broke Up, which has also now been re-released under
Team LoveTeam Love is a New York City-based independent record label founded by Conor Oberst and Nate Krenkel in 2003. It has released albums by musicians including Tilly and the Wall, Jenny Lewis, David Dondero, Craig Wedren, Capgun Coup, Gruff Rhys, The Shortbus Movie Soundtrack, McCarthy Trenching, El...
.
Bright Eyes
Oberst originally founded
Bright EyesBright Eyes is an American indie rock band founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist Conor Oberst. It consists of Oberst, multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis, trumpet and piano player Nate Walcott, and a rotating lineup of collaborators drawn primarily from Omaha's indie music...
as a solo project in 1995, and after the disbanding of Commander Venus, released
A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997- Personnel :* Conor Oberst – Wrote and performed the majority of the songs.* Ted Stevens – Plays drums on The Awful Sweetness of Escaping Sweat.* Todd Fink – Recorded and drummed on A Celebration Upon Completion....
in January 1998. This was followed quickly by
Letting Off the HappinessLetting Off the Happiness is the second album released by Nebraskan musicians Bright Eyes. The album was released on November 2, 1998. A vinyl re-release of the album was included in the Bright Eyes Vinyl Box Set...
, released in November of the same year. It featured members of numerous bands and was recorded in the Oberst family basement. One year later, Bright Eyes released its first EP,
Every Day and Every NightEvery Day and Every Night is the third record and the first EP by Nebraskan indie rock band Bright Eyes. It became the 30th release by Saddle Creek Records on November 1, 1999....
. Bright Eyes' third album,
Fevers and MirrorsFevers and Mirrors is the third album by the Nebraska emo/indie band Bright Eyes, recorded in 1999 and released on May 29, 2000. It was the 32nd release of the Omaha, Nebraska-based record label Saddle Creek Records...
was released in May 2000; it was ranked 170 on
Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's list of the top 200 albums of the 2000s.
With the release of 2002's
Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the GroundLifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground is the fourth album by Bright Eyes. This album is the 46th release of Saddle Creek Records...
, Bright Eyes received national attention and Oberst was proclaimed a breakthrough artist by several notable magazines. On January 25, 2005 Bright Eyes simultaneously released two new albums: the folk
I'm Wide Awake, It's MorningI'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is one of two Bright Eyes albums released on January 25, 2005, by Saddle Creek Records.-Songs:The music video for "First Day of My Life" was directed by John Cameron Mitchell....
and more electronic-pop
Digital Ash in a Digital UrnDigital Ash in a Digital Urn is one of two Bright Eyes albums released on January 25, 2005 by Saddle Creek Records. It peaked at #15 in the US and #43 in the UK...
.
TimeTime is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
listed I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning as one of the top ten albums of 2005.
The
Four WindsFour Winds is an EP by the indie rock band Bright Eyes, that was released on March 6, 2007. The title track is the first single from their album Cassadaga. The other 5 tracks are exclusive b-sides from the 2006 recording sessions. It is marketed as being "quietly enchanting" and including "a...
EP was released in March 2007, followed by their seventh album,
CassadagaCassadaga is the seventh studio album by Bright Eyes, released on April 10, 2007. Around 25 to 30 songs were recorded in 2006, with 13 of these appearing on the final track list...
in April. The song Four Winds was named a top 100 song of 2007 by
Rolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
. Oberst spent the next two years focusing on other music projects, and in June 2009 told Rolling Stone he wanted to make one final album with Bright Eyes before retiring the group. The band subsequently released
The People's KeyA limited edition deluxe packaging edition contains mp3 file samples of various Saddle Creek artists.-Reception:The People's Key has received mixed to positive critical reception. Allmusic praised its smaller scale and gave the album 3 and a 1/2 out of 5 stars. Pitchfork gave the album 5 out of 10...
on Conor's 31st birthday, February 15, 2011.
Desaparecidos
Oberst was a guitarist and singer for
DesaparecidosDesaparecidos was a short-lived American emo/post-hardcore band. It was a side project headed by singer/guitarist Conor Oberst, the frontman of the indie folk band Bright Eyes....
. The music and lyrics of Desaparecidos differ greatly from Bright Eyes, having more in common with
punk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
than Oberst's usual
folk rockFolk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
. The lyrics are generally
social commentarySocial commentary is the act of rebelling against an individual, or a group of people by rhetorical means, or commentary on social issues or society...
on the state of affairs in America and the pitfalls of the suburban lifestyle, as opposed to the more introspective lyrics of Bright Eyes. Desaparecidos was active as a band between 2001–2002 but have regrouped to play shows in the Omaha area. They have two releases: a single for "The Happiest Place on Earth" and the full-length "Read Music/Speak Spanish".
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
In November 2007, it was reported that Oberst would work on a solo record with Jake Bellows, and that he and
M. WardMatthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
would start a band and perform two late December shows in
Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. Contrary to what was believed, the shows were not played with M. Ward, but rather with Nik Freitas and
Jason BoeselJason Boesel was the drummer for Rilo Kiley and has also played with The Elected. He also drummed in the Bright Eyes touring band during their 2005 tour, and went on to write the liner notes for the consequent Bright Eyes live album, Motion Sickness and contributing to Bright Eyes' 2007 record,...
. They also played a show in February in
Mexico CityMexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
,
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
On March 31, 2008, it was announced that Conor Oberst would play at the 2008 Reading and Leeds Festivals. In addition, he also performed at the
Electric PicnicThe 2005 festival took place on Saturday 3 September and Sunday 4 September. It is best remembered for Arcade Fire's performance which came before their subsequent mainstream success...
, in
County LaoisCounty Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
,
IrelandIreland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
on August 31, 2008, the Cains Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Austin City Limits in late September 2008, shows across Australia in early October 2008, and the Warfield Theater in San Francisco October 24. Conor also headlined the Friday night slot of The End of the Road Festival at the
Larmer Tree GardensThe Larmer Tree Gardens near Tollard Royal in south Wiltshire, England, were created by Lieutenant-General Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers in 1880 as pleasure grounds for "public enlightenment and entertainment". They were the first private gardens opened for public enjoyment in the United...
in Wiltshire, held over the weekend of 12–14 September 2008.
Conor Oberst released the self-titled album
Conor OberstConor Oberst is a solo-album by Conor Oberst, of the band Bright Eyes, which was released on August 5, 2008 by Merge Records. The album debuted on the UK Albums Chart at #37 and reached #15 on the Billboard Top 200.-Production:...
, which was recorded in
TepoztlánTepoztlán is a town in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is located at in the heart of the Tepoztlán Valley. The town serves as the seat of government for the municipality of the same name. The town had a population of 14,130 inhabitants, while the municipality reported 41,629 inhabitants in the...
,
MorelosMorelos officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Morelos is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 33 municipalities and its capital city is Cuernavaca....
, Mexico with Taylor Hollingsworth on guitar and Macey Taylor on bass, on August 5, '08 on Merge Records.
In about mid
OctoberOctober is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old Roman calendar, October retained its name after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the...
, the band sold a new EP,
Gentleman's PactGentleman's Pact is the first EP by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, consisting of four unreleased tracks, two preceding the band's 2008 album Conor Oberst and two proceeding it. The EP was exclusively available to purchase at concerts during the 2008 tour, and was limited to an edition of...
. It was limited to 1000 copies and was only available on tour. The band placed limitations on how many were sold at shows. It has four unreleased tracks. Three of them are pre-album songs while "Corina, Corina" is a cover of a traditional folk song.
Conor and the band released their second album,
Outer SouthOuter South is the fifth solo studio album by American musician Conor Oberst and the second to be credited to Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. It is Oberst's first solo album to include songs written and sung by his bandmates. Nik Freitas, Taylor Hollingsworth and Jason Boesel each...
, on May 5, 2009 on
Merge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
. They have also released a documentary,
One of My KindOne of My Kind is a 2009 documentary filmed about Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. It documents their tour, life in Mexico, and the recording of their new album, Outer South. This documentary was provided for free, in hopes that the viewers would donate to one of the numerous charities on...
.
Monsters of Folk
Conor Oberst is one of the four members of the band
Monsters of FolkMonsters of Folk is an American supergroup, consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes, and M. Ward, renowned solo artist. The band was formed in 2004 when the members were on tour with their respective bands and solo projects. After playing...
. Other band members include
Jim JamesJames Edward Olliges Jr. , professionally known as Jim James or Yim Yames, is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Louisville, Kentucky-based rock band My Morning Jacket. James grew up in the Hikes Point neighborhood of Louisville, attended St. Martha grade school and graduated...
of
My Morning JacketMy Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
,
M. WardMatthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
and fellow Bright Eyes member
Mike MogisMike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
. The band members swap instruments and share vocal duties. The quartet released their self-titled debut album on September 22, 2009.
Saddle Creek and Team Love
Oberst is one of the founding members of the
independent record labelAn independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Saddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
, which hosts and has hosted bands including
CursiveCursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
,
DesaparecidosDesaparecidos was a short-lived American emo/post-hardcore band. It was a side project headed by singer/guitarist Conor Oberst, the frontman of the indie folk band Bright Eyes....
,
The FaintThe Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Jacob Thiele, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst...
(who left to start their own label Blank.wav),
Rilo KileyRilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel....
(who left to start their own label Brute/Beaute Records), Bright Eyes,
Two GallantsTwo Gallants is a folk rock duo from San Francisco, California. The name comes from the title of a story by James Joyce in Dubliners.-History:Two Gallants are made up of Adam Stephens on guitar, harmonica and vocals and Tyson Vogel Two Gallants is a folk rock duo from San Francisco, California....
,
Son, AmbulanceSon, Ambulance is an American band based in Omaha, Nebraska. They are signed to the Saddle Creek label.Singer/songwriter Joe Knapp appeared on albums of other bands, such as Fevers and Mirrors by Bright Eyes, before releasing Son, Ambulance's debut album—a split with Bright Eyes called Oh Holy...
,
Azure RayAzure Ray is an American dream pop duo, consisting of musicians Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink. The pair met at the age of 15 at the Alabama School of Fine Arts...
,
The Good LifeThe Good Life is an indie rock band on Saddle Creek records.Started as a solo project of Cursive's frontman Tim Kasher, The Good Life quickly grew to become its own established group. The original intent of The Good Life was to provide Tim Kasher with a vehicle to perform songs that did not fit...
,
Sorry About DresdenSorry About Dresden is a four-man indie rock band from Chapel Hill, N.C. Since forming in 1997, the band has made a modest splash in the national indie scene....
, among others.
Oberst co-founded the Team Love record label (along with Nate Krenkel long time manager of Bright Eyes) to "do different things, or smaller things, that we couldn't get everyone to be into at the same time" at Saddle Creek. such as
Tilly and the WallTilly and the Wall is an indie pop group from Omaha, Nebraska. Their name originated from a children's book called Tillie and the Wall, written by Leo Lionni...
,
Willy MasonWilly Mason is an American singer-songwriter.- Early life :He was born in New York, the son of Jemima James and Michael Mason, both folk singers. When Mason was five, he and his family moved from New York to West Tisbury, Massachusetts on the island of Martha's Vineyard...
,
The Felice BrothersThe Felice Brothers are a folk rock/country rock band from Upstate New York founded in 2006.-History:The Felice Brothers got their start as a band playing in the New York City subway,. The sons of a carpenter, they would play together on Sundays at their father's afternoon barbecues...
,
David DonderoDavid Dondero is an American songwriter, guitarist, former lead singer of the band Sunbrain. In 2006, NPR's All Songs Considered named David one of the "best living songwriters" alongside Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Tom Waits...
,
Taylor HollingsworthTaylor "Paper" Hollingsworth ia a singer/songwriter and guitarist from Birmingham, Alabama. He first picked up the guitar at age 14 and has gone on to front his own bands as well as play guitar for others, notably Maria Taylor....
and
Jenny LewisJennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
' solo album with
The Watson TwinsThe Watson Twins are an American musical group based in Los Angeles with alternative country and indie folk influences. They are identical twin sisters named Chandra and Leigh Watson....
.
Influences
Oberst was drawn to music at a very early age, due in part to his older brother Matt's penchant for bands like
The SmithsThe Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
,
R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Fugazi, and
The CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
. He has cited their first singles collection, Staring at the Sea, as the first record he ever bought, as well as being one of his favorites. "It must have been third grade...I bought the
cassetteThe Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
at a local record store chain called Homer's in Omaha. I just loved the sound of
Robert Smith'sRobert James Smith is an English musician. He is the lead singer, guitar player and principal songwriter of the rock band The Cure, and its only constant member since its founding in 1976...
voice. It just sounded good."
Some of his biggest influences and favorite songwriters are local musicians
David DonderoDavid Dondero is an American songwriter, guitarist, former lead singer of the band Sunbrain. In 2006, NPR's All Songs Considered named David one of the "best living songwriters" alongside Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Tom Waits...
and
Simon JoynerSimon Joyner is a singer-songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Considered by some to be the forefather of the burgeoning Omaha music scene , he has profoundly influenced the music of Bright Eyes. Joyner also collaborated with John Darnielle, of The Mountain Goats, and Beck listed Joyner...
. Joyner wrote the song "Burn Rubber", which Bright Eyes covered on the "
Take It Easy (Love Nothing)"Take It Easy " is a single by Bright Eyes, released in October 2004. It, along with "Lua," took the top two spots on Billboard magazine's Hot Singles Sales chart, something that had not been accomplished since 1997...
" single. The two used to do mini-tours together, usually on weekends due to Joyner having a family.
Oberst has also been heavily influenced by the 1960s folk revival, mentioning
Neil YoungNeil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
,
Leonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
, and country singers
Emmylou HarrisEmmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
,
John PrineJohn Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
and
Townes Van ZandtJohn Townes Van Zandt , best known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American Texas Country-folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet...
. He covered Neil Young's "Out on the Weekend", collaborating with
Mike MogisMike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
,
Jim JamesJames Edward Olliges Jr. , professionally known as Jim James or Yim Yames, is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Louisville, Kentucky-based rock band My Morning Jacket. James grew up in the Hikes Point neighborhood of Louisville, attended St. Martha grade school and graduated...
and
M. WardMatthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
in concert. He performed the Townes Van Zandt song "Rex's Blues" live with fellow musician
Steve EarleStephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
. He has also performed two of John Prine's songs live, "Crazy as a Loon" and "Wedding Day in Funerville". Harris sang on a few tracks on Bright Eyes'
I'm Wide Awake, It's MorningI'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is one of two Bright Eyes albums released on January 25, 2005, by Saddle Creek Records.-Songs:The music video for "First Day of My Life" was directed by John Cameron Mitchell....
.
Oberst was also greatly influenced by
Daniel JohnstonDaniel Dale Johnston is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and artist. Johnston was the subject of the 2006 documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston. He currently lives in Waller, Texas....
. A cover of "Devil Town" is featured on
Noise Floor (Rarities: 1998-2005)Noise Floor is a compilation of previously recorded but unreleased or hard-to-find songs by Bright Eyes.The compilation was released on CD and vinyl on October 24, 2006 on Saddle Creek Records. The vinyl version of the album includes five extra tracks not found on the CD...
.
Oberst was also profoundly influenced by the work of
Elliott SmithSteven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
, saying in an October 22, 2003 All Things Considered interview that "sometimes when you're not feeling good, you have to listen to really sad music like Elliott Smith's" and that [Smith] "wrote the sweetest, saddest, most gentle songs". Oberst also said he liked to "listen to Elliott Smith's songs when he [couldn't] find anyone to talk to on the phone" and thought that it was sad that, "through his music, [Smith] had the ability to answer feelings in others that he was unable to answer in himself". A live cover of Smith's "The Biggest Lie" is featured on
Motion SicknessMotion Sickness: Live Recordings is a live album by Bright Eyes. Documenting the I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning tours from the first half of 2005, Motion Sickness is a compilation of live tracks, including covers of Feist and Elliott Smith...
.
Personal beliefs
Oberst has publicly supported
PETAPeta can refer to:* peta-, an SI prefix denoting a factor of 1015* Peta, Greece, a town in Greece* Peta, the Pāli word for a Preta, or hungry ghost in Buddhism* Peta Wilson, an Australian actress and model* Peta Todd, English glamour model...
.
On January 1 and February 7, 2008, Oberst performed at a rally in Omaha, Nebraska for
2008 presidential candidateThe United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
Barack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
While he was raised Catholic, Conor Oberst holds no specific religion, claiming he has not found one that "hit the mark" for him yet. He expresses disappointment in the narrow-mindedness of major religions, and is fascinated and frustrated by "eternal" concepts.
As Conor Oberst
| Title |
Year |
Label |
Format(s) |
Notes |
| Water Water is the debut album of Conor Oberst and the first release on Lumberjack Records, the label that would become Saddle Creek. It was released as a cassette tape, and came in 300 copies only, in five different colors on the covers .-Track listing:All songs by Conor Oberst.#"You Should Be in...
|
1993 |
Lumberjack Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
|
cassette |
|
| Here's to Special Treatment Here's to Special Treatment is the second album of Conor Oberst.-Track listing:All songs by Conor Oberst.#"Sledge Winston and the Element of Surprise"#"Things You Know"#"Tar"#"Space Invaders"#"Lava Monster"#"Puddle Stomper"...
|
1994 |
Sing, Eunuchs! |
cassette |
|
| The Soundtrack to My Movie The Soundtrack to My Movie is the third album by American singer-songwriter Conor Oberst. It was a cassette only release on Omaha, Nebraska indie label Sing, Eunuchs!. The songs were recorded to four-track in Oberst's basement during the same sessions that produced the first Bright Eyes album, A...
|
1996 |
Sing, Eunuchs! |
cassette |
|
| Kill the Monster Before It Eats Baby Kill the Monster Before It Eats Baby is a split EP by Bill Hoover and Conor Oberst.-Track listing:#"Ballad of Willie Shaw" #"Play Aligator on Escalator" #"North of the City" #"Lake Havasu "...
|
1996 |
Sing, Eunuchs! |
7" |
Split A split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists. There have been singles and EPs released in the same nature, which can be referred to as split singles and split EPs respectively...
EPAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
with Bill Hoover |
| Conor Oberst Conor Oberst is a solo-album by Conor Oberst, of the band Bright Eyes, which was released on August 5, 2008 by Merge Records. The album debuted on the UK Albums Chart at #37 and reached #15 on the Billboard Top 200.-Production:...
|
2008 |
Merge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
|
cd, vinyl |
| Gentleman's Pact Gentleman's Pact is the first EP by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, consisting of four unreleased tracks, two preceding the band's 2008 album Conor Oberst and two proceeding it. The EP was exclusively available to purchase at concerts during the 2008 tour, and was limited to an edition of...
|
2008 |
no label |
cd, vinyl |
| Outer South Outer South is the fifth solo studio album by American musician Conor Oberst and the second to be credited to Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. It is Oberst's first solo album to include songs written and sung by his bandmates. Nik Freitas, Taylor Hollingsworth and Jason Boesel each...
|
2009 |
Merge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
|
cd, vinyl |
|
In bands
Monsters of Folk
The Sun Society
Guest work
- Arab Strap
Arab Strap were an indie rock band from Scotland that consisted of core members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, and split in 2006...
– Monday at the Hug & Pint (2003)
- Criteria
Criteria is an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, formed in 2003 when ex-Cursive founding member Steve Pedersen returned to his hometown after graduating from the Duke University School of Law. He spent six months in a friend's basement where he wrote all ten songs for his new project's debut...
– En GardeEn Garde is the debut album of indie-rock band, Criteria. Formed by one of the founding members of Cursive, Steve Pedersen came back to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska after graduating from Duke University. He recruited the help of old friends, Aaron Druery, A.J. Mogis, and Mike Sweeney. Originally...
(2003)
- Cursive
Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
– The Ugly Organ-Personnel:Cursive*Tim Kasher - lead vocals, guitars, organ*Ted Stevens - guitars, backing vocals*Matt Maginn - bass*Clint Schnase - drums, percussion*Gretta Cohn - celloAdditional musicians*Chris Acker - trombone...
(2003)
- Street To Nowhere
Street to Nowhere was an indie/alternative rock band from Oakland, California.-History:Since its birth, Street to Nowhere has gone through many changes...
– Tipsy (2006)
- Tilly and The Wall
Tilly and the Wall is an indie pop group from Omaha, Nebraska. Their name originated from a children's book called Tillie and the Wall, written by Leo Lionni...
– You and I Misbehaving
- Mayday
Mayday is a band from Omaha, Nebraska, on the Saddle Creek Records label, led by Ted Stevens, also of Cursive and Lullaby for the Working Class.-Band members:*Ted Stevens*Tiffany Kowalski*Daniel J...
– Old BloodOld Blood is an album by Mayday, released May 14, 2002. The album was recorded in May and November 2001 at Presto! Recording Studios in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mayday features the vocals and compositions of Lullaby for the Working Class frontman Ted Stevens. Ted is joined by the remaining Lullaby...
(2002)
- Son, Ambulance
Son, Ambulance is an American band based in Omaha, Nebraska. They are signed to the Saddle Creek label.Singer/songwriter Joe Knapp appeared on albums of other bands, such as Fevers and Mirrors by Bright Eyes, before releasing Son, Ambulance's debut album—a split with Bright Eyes called Oh Holy...
– Key (2004)
- Jenny Lewis
Jennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
and The Watson TwinsThe Watson Twins are an American musical group based in Los Angeles with alternative country and indie folk influences. They are identical twin sisters named Chandra and Leigh Watson....
– "Handle With Care"Handle with Care" is the first track from the Traveling Wilburys 1988 album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, and the group's biggest hit. Writing credits are shared by all five band members, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan....
" (2005)
- Dntel – "Breakfast in Bed
"Breakfast in Bed" is a soul–R&B song written by Muscle Shoals songwriters Eddie Hinton and Donnie Fritts for Dusty Springfield. It takes a knowing spin on the line "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me", the title of a song which had previously been a number one hit for her in the UK...
"
- Melon Galia – "N'en Parlons Plus"
- The Faint – "Dust"
- Maria Taylor
Maria Diane Taylor is an American singer/songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink, as well as the band Now It's Overhead, both of which are signed with Saddle Creek Records...
– 11:1111:11 is the debut solo album by Azure Ray's Maria Taylor. It was released May 24, 2005 by Saddle Creek Records. This album is the 74th release of Saddle Creek Records.-Track listing:#"Leap Year" – 4:28#"Song Beneath the Song" – 3:59...
(2005) and Lynn Teeter FlowerLynn Teeter Flower is the second album by Maria Taylor and was released on March 6, 2007.This is the 102nd release of Saddle Creek Records.-Track listing:#"A Good Start" - 4:13#"Clean Getaway" - 3:10#"Smile and Wave" - 2:35#"No Stars" - 4:45...
(2007)
- "Lua
"Lua" is a single by Bright Eyes released in October 2004. Originally appearing on the album, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, the song deals with two people as they struggle through depression, addiction, and an interminable night...
" (2009) Dark Was the NightDark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS...
, Red Hot OrganizationRed Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
- The Album Leaf
The Album Leaf is an American solo musical project founded in San Diego, California in 1998 by Jimmy LaValle. He is known for his use of electronics, synthesizer and Rhodes piano...
-"Hungry for a Holiday"
External links
Interviews