Who: Crystal Antlers When: July 8th + July 12th Where: Mercury Lounge + TBA! More Dates Listen: Crystal Antlers - "Owl" Thoughts: Since landing a spot on Pitchfork's Best New Music listings, Crystal Antlers have been the buzz of the internets. That's kind of similar to just about every big band out there right now and of course their stamp of approval doesn't mean it's a sure thing. I do enjoy

So, I have this idea for a practical joke to pull on the world. We announce that Conor is making a new record, a solo record, but there's still a big band of co-conspirators who have their own projects, exactly like Bright Eyes, but we have him put it out on a new label and bill it as a totally new act! Okay, so maybe it's not quite so obvious, but really what's the point here? Conor writes some great songs, and maybe this isn't one of them ("Home sick as an [...]
Here's something I know you kids will like - two brand spanking-new tracks off the forthcoming album (August 5th) from Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band! Recorded in Tepoztlán, Mexico last winter, "Danny Callahan" and (the awesomely titled) "Souled Out!!!" are the first tracks to emerge off of Conor's ...

Download: Conor Oberst - "Danny Callahan" (Live at the 400 Bar) Conor Oberst's new Matador-released record, Conor Oberst , will be out on August 4th and now begins the process of leaking a few tracks to wet our blogger whistles. Two new CB tracks are available for streaming on Oberst's site ( HERE ) and they are both great. Here is a live version of one of the available tracks, "Danny Callahan," recorded live from his performance at our very own 400 Bar on the West Bank last December. [...]

Being a big Bright Eyes fan, an eyebrow was raised at seeing Conor Oberst on the Electric Picnic bill. Bright Eyes is essentially 'The Conor Oberst Show', so a solo spot seemed odd. I was expecting a one-man-and-a-guitar kinda thing, but that is apparently not the case. Oberst has in fact recorded a solo album, backed up in a Bright Eyes fashion by a group of his mates (including M. Ward & Rilo Kiley's Jason Boesel) who are being called the ' Mystic Valley Band '. It's this setup that Picnic goers [...]
It turns out Conor Oberst, backed by the newly formed Mystic Valley Band , will indeed be releasing a solo album this summer. Titled Conor Oberst , the album is set for release on August 4 via Merge Records and will be the Bright Eyes frontman's first solo effort since 1995's Soundtrack To My Movie . This recording was made in Tepoztlán, Morelos, México during the months of January and February 2008. In Tepoztlán, a place known for Aztec Magic and Extra-Terrestrial Sightings, a temporary studio was created in a mountain [...]

With the announcement of this year's Austin City Limits lineup came the revelation for many, including myself, that Conor Oberst is back with another new side project. Hypeful recently did a great write-up about the newly formed Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band , which made their debut last December at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Composed of Oberst, Nik Freitas , and Rilo Kiley drummer Jason Boesel, the group offers a dynamic and rich Neil Young-esque folk sound, a bit reminiscent of Bright Eyes' most [...]
Turnaround Bright Eyes! Following yesterday's ACL lineup announcement, many were surprised to learn that the mercurial Conor Oberst has added yet another band to his r??sum?? - Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. Despite playing a couple of shows and booking several music fest gigs under his new handle, ...