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Bright Eyes artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music
Best known as the prolific and gifted frontman for the country-rock band Bright Eyes, Oberst ventured out on his own this summer. He released his first solo album in more than a decade: an eponymous sketchbook of introspective folk and rock, steeped in Americana. The new collection of songs are the centerpiece of a full concert by Oberst and his backing group, The Mystic Valley Band, recorded live from the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.
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Hear Bright Eyes perform live from Washington D.C.'s 9:30 Club with special guests Tilly and the Wall and CocoRosie. All three bands are part of a 'new-folk' movement that mixes traditional acoustic instruments with experimental rock and electronica.
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As the primary musical vehicle for Omaha wunderkind Conor Oberst, Bright Eyes has experienced a meteoric rise in the past few years, as fans and critics have embraced the literate, emotional songs of a singer often tagged "The New Bob Dylan."
()As the primary musical vehicle for Omaha wunderkind Conor Oberst, Bright Eyes has experienced a meteoric rise in the past few years, as fans and critics have embraced the literate, emotional songs of a singer often tagged "The New Bob Dylan."
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Conor Oberst, lead singer of Bright Eyes, captured public attention as a protest singer with artistic ambitions. At 27, he seems to have mellowed. "Make a Plan to Love Me" is a gentle throwback to the '60s.
()NPR's Melissa Block talks to Conor Oberst about his two new CDs with Bright Eyes. Oberst is from Omaha, Neb., where he has built a reputation as a great songwriter and poet and carved an odd success story. Bright Eyes refuses to record for major labels, shuns corporate radio and won't play venues owned by Clear Channel Communications. The two new CDs, out Jan. 25, are titled I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn.
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All Songs Considered's list of the 50 most important recordings of the decade begins with composer John Adams and runs through Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
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Tens of thousands of listeners voted in the All Songs Considered poll for the year's best CDs. It was tight for much of the race, but in the end, Radiohead's In Rainbows was an overwhelming winner as 2007's most popular album.
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Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst has never been afraid to emote. But on "Smoke Without Fire," featuring M. Ward, the pair crafts a duet that brings to mind a casual discussion between two world-weary singers who've been through a long journey in both of their short adult lives.
()Bob Boilen speaks with reviewers Robert Christgau, Will Hermes and Meredith Ochs about the new CDs they're most looking forward to this spring. Hear sneak previews of new music from Modest Mouse, Wilco, Fountains of Wayne, Bright Eyes and more.
()Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst is a gifted and prolific songwriter, accomplishing more by the age of 14 than many artists do in a lifetime. Now 27 years old, he and his band are about to release their 6th album, titled Cassadaga. Oberst chats with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen about the new CD and shares some of his favorite songs by other artists like Lou Reed, Bjork and Jackson Browne.
()A mash-up of Cuban rhythms and Coldplay; Los Angeles rapper Pigeon John; Atlanta art rock trio Hot Young Priest; Rarities from new-folk artist Bright Eyes; Portland music therapist Super XX Man; The intimate strains of singer Laura Gibson; Life at the micro level with Dave Fischoff.
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All Songs Considered counts down the year's best music. Host Bob Boilen talks with reviewers and listeners about their picks for the best CDs and songs of 2005. The show was originally webcast live on NPR.org
()All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen counts down listener picks for the 10 best CDs of 2005, with NPR music reviewers Will Hermes, Tom Moon and Meredith Ochs. They also share some of their own favorites from the year and take calls from listeners. This program originally webcast live on NPR.org Dec. 16, 2005.
()A stunning live recording from Wilco; Live music from Nebraska's Bright Eyes; Tribal art pop by Orenda Fink; Six Feet Under soundtrack favorite Sia; A beautiful return for Kate Bush; A new-folk home recording from Calexico; Rock-rap action heroes The Go! Team.
()Halfway through the year and the songs are strong. Newer artists like Bright Eyes and Flotation Toy Warning are pushing the boundaries of new-folk or acoustic art rock, while veterans like Bruce Springsteen return to their roots. Before the summer slips by and fall accelerates into winter, we offer this show as a chance to catch up on the great sounds of 2005 (so far).
()Bob Boilen speaks with All Things Considered music reviewers Mikel Jollett, Tom Moon and Meredith Ochs about some of their most anticipated releases for 2005. Hear sneak previews from Bright Eyes, M. Ward, the Kings of Leon and more.
()Below are the 20 most mentioned songs from both listeners and reviewers with randomly selected comments from some of those who picked them.
()The pre-teen sister duo Smoosh; Self-professed has been William Shatner; Dream pop veterans Luna; A reissued classic from Cream; Bluegrass revivalist Alison Krauss; Great unknown mandolinist Sam Bartlett; Ambient rock pioneer, producer Brian Eno; and Socially conscious anthem rock from U2. Featured Artist: Bright Eyes.
()Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst has never been afraid to emote. But on "Smoke Without Fire," featuring M. Ward, the pair crafts a duet that brings to mind a casual discussion between two world-weary singers who've been through a long journey in both of their short adult lives.
()NPR reviewer Tom Moon shares his picks for the year's best CDs, from the lo-fi, indie folk of Iron and Wine to a newly discovered live recording by Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.
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When words alone fail to illuminate the confounding mysteries of the heart, music lends a hand. Whether it's unrequited love, a fleeting affair or love that lasts a lifetime, there's a song for it. NPR listeners share "their" songs — along with the stories of bliss, bitterness and bygone times that make the music meaningful.
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![Extraordinary Machine [DualDisc]](http://media.npr.org/images/amg/pop/cov75/drh000/h039/h03930adb3s.jpg)
![Gimme Fiction [Bonus CD]](http://media.npr.org/images/amg/pop/cov75/drg700/g773/g77356phj4k.jpg)
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