“To me, Conor Oberst resembles Patti Smith a great deal,” R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe told me in an interview back in 2008. “As a performer, as a magnet. He’s just got that thing that she’s got.” The “thing” Stipe refers to has both captivated legions of followe...

On August 13, 2002, Saddle Creek Records released the third full-length album by Bright Eyes: Lifted Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground. Conor Oberst — the band’s sole constant member, songwriter, guitarist, vocalist — was 22 years old at the time. At that point, he’d been releasing m...

Singer and his friend Phil Schaffart are apparently planning to launch a cocktail lounge

Cool For School, a digital-only compilation that benefits The Lunchbox Fund, features covers by the likes of Bright Eyes and Albert Hammond, Jr. Today, we’re sharing a track that features the second-most-famous Stroke covering Big Star’s 1972 classic, “Thirteen,” from their #1 Record. Hear, here: Albert Ha...

On Friday night, Bright Eyes took to L.A.’s Hollywood Forever Cemetery to play a set with Kurt Vile. Stereogum snapper Jasper Bernbaum was there to chronicle the Bright Eyes portion of the show and jot down the setlist. The setlist: 01 “Four Winds” 02 “Bowl Of Oranges” 03 “Old Soul Song...