{"id":28762,"date":"2020-03-29T10:30:13","date_gmt":"2020-03-29T15:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/?p=28762"},"modified":"2020-03-29T13:06:36","modified_gmt":"2020-03-29T18:06:36","slug":"bright-eyes-releases-first-song-in-nine-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/entertainment\/2020\/03\/29\/bright-eyes-releases-first-song-in-nine-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Bright Eyes Releases First Song in Nine Years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\"> Indie-folk pioneer of the early aughts, Conor Oberst, released a new song on Tuesday, March 24 with the \u201cband\u201d that made him famous. The song, &#8220;Persona Non Grata&#8221; is the first song on an album to be released later this year by the band, the first released under the band&#8217;s name for nine years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IMaY0A2deD8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption> &#8220;&#8230;here is a song called &#8216;Persona Non Grata.'&#8221; wrote the band in a statement on their website. &#8220;We hope you like it. It was hard to decide which song to share first because they are all quite different, but this one seemed as good of a place as any to start. And it has bagpipes! Which is a first for us.&#8221; (Source: YouTube\/Bright Eyes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> Obert\u2019s band, originally formed in 1995 as a bedroom project, recording songs on his dad\u2019s 8-track machine, but throughout the early 2000s grew in popularity, culminating in 2005 with the release of two albums, \u201cA Digital Ash in a Digital Urn\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m Wide Awake, It\u2019s Morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tIt was at about this time that the Bob Dylan comparisons started, what with Obert\u2019s non-traditional singing voice and the masterful ability to craft lyrics, the prose of which could match the great literary authors of each their own time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> The \u201cband\u201d was originally started singer-songwriter Conor Oberst but eventually included producer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Mogis and multi-instrumentalist Nate Walcott, as well as a constantly changing roster of fellow musicians, including the likes of Jim James from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1QtKdLG7m5s\">My Morning Jacket<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qtNV3pOqcjI\">Rilo Kiley<\/a> drummer Jason Boesel, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oIIxlgcuQRU\">Yeah Yeah Yeahs<\/a> guitarist Nick Zinner, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=cUfIKX5ReKQ\">M. Ward<\/a> of She &amp; Him and his solo work, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=B8aH4cRdplE\">Gillian Welch<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wcKzkcgErsM\">David Rawlings<\/a>, Janet Weiss of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qOM107PIxV8\">Sleater-Kinney<\/a> and alt. country pioneer and former Gram Parsons collaborator Emmylou Harris, who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lOcF3ma6uIg?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Oberst&#8217;s most recent band with singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers covering &#8220;Easy\/Lucky\/Free&#8221; from Bright Eyes&#8217;  2005 album &#8220;Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. (Source: YouTube\/KEXP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tBright Eyes from its outset combined traditional folk and country with an off-kilter, Cure-inspired blend of emotive vocals and unpolished aesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Oberst credits fellow Omaha, Nebraska singer-songwriter Simon Joyner as among his biggest influences, as well as former alt. country singer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BmvqBY-cgPY\">Townes Van Zandt<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=n6hYie21Rko\">Leonard Cohen<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=R2wmaF3ySWE\">Bob Dylan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rEdVaNSegXw\">Daniel Johnston<\/a>, The Cure and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QEadexJ6pT8\">John Prine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related Articles:<br>&#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/entertainment\/music-entertainment\/2019\/09\/18\/remembering-daniel-johnston-unlikely-cult-rock-star\/\">Remembering Daniel Johnston, Unlikely Cult Rock Star<\/a><br>&#8211;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/entertainment\/music-entertainment\/2019\/07\/31\/frightened-rabbit-the-importance-of-emotional-honesty\/\">Frightened Rabbit: The Importance of Emotional Honesty<\/a><br>&#8211;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/entertainment\/music-entertainment\/2019\/09\/26\/guided-by-voices-to-release-new-album-in-october\/\">Guided by Voices to Release New Album in October<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Since the band\u2019s hiatus in 2011, Oberst has been releasing songs under his own name as well as with a collection of musicians who worked his debut \u201csolo\u201d album with, later dubbed \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HTshSi1E5Xc\">The Mystic Valley Band<\/a>,\u201d so named because they recorded the album in Tepoztl\u00e1n, Morelos, Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tThe band featured former Bright Eyes collaborators Nate Walcott and Jason Boesel, as well as singer-songwriters Nik Frietas and Taylor Hollingsworth, and bass player Macey Taylor, the brother of former Bright Eyes contributor Maria Taylor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tThe Mystic Valley Band\u2019s second album, \u201cOuter South\u201d featured songs written by Oberst, as well as several of the other band members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Also released in 2009, Oberst formed a sort of \u201csupergroup\u201d dubbed &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8BnFowzj9ck\">Monsters of Folk<\/a>&#8221; with fellow former Bright Eyes band member Mike Mogis, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JnAzDRaOD-k\">My Morning Jacket<\/a> frontman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IZypy--d7fs\">Jim James<\/a> and solo artist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BvbbSdu_Gi0\">M. Ward<\/a>, all of whom contributed to prior Bright Eyes albums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/br1qcPIkozM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>From 2007&#8217;s &#8220;Cassadaga,&#8221; the lead single from the album. (Source: YouTube\/Bright Eyes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tSince then Obert\u2019s founded a record label in Team Love Records, championing small acts much like his former record label Saddle Creek Records did for the bands growing into national acts in and around Oberst\u2019s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wpvyvH_yRL0\">Saddle Creek<\/a> itself was formed in 1993 by Oberst\u2019s brother Justin and Bright Eye contributor, Mike Mogis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Obert\u2019s label, Team Love features some of his heroes, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=d3F8GBXMSVs\">Simon Joyner<\/a> and David Dondero. Likewise, he often mentions his love and affection for other bands, including some on his label like the Felice Brothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s that open affection for the fellow artists he loves that lead to 2019\u2019s collaboration with up and coming singer-songwriter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=teLyoKBxbCU\">Phoebe Bridgers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s nice to know you are out there singing this stuff,\u201d he told the 24-year-old Los Angelean after she sent an early version of her debut, 2017\u2019s \u201cStranger in the Alps.\u201d \u201cI think lots of people will find good comfort in your songs. They are soothing and empathetic, which I know I need more of in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oberst appears on one of Bridgers\u2019 songs on the aforementioned debut and that blossomed into 2019\u2019s band\/album \u201cBetter Oblivion Community Center.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OLAM8eW3xHA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Oberst and Bridgers performing &#8220;Didn&#8217;t Know What I Was In For&#8221; from &#8220;Better Oblivion Community Center from 2019 on KEXP. (Source: YouTube\/KEXP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe didn&#8217;t even talk about it,\u201d Bridgers in an interview with GQ about the formation of the band. \u201cWe just started writing it. We didn&#8217;t talk about having a band or anything. I have this other joke because I&#8217;ve seen this happen with [Conor] a bunch, where you want to collab with everyone. He&#8217;ll start a bunch of fake bands all the time, so I had no idea our band was real until, like, five songs in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPersona Non Grata\u2019s\u201d release was accompanied by a statement, signed: Conor, Mike and Nate. In it, the band cited \u201cstrange days\u201d and \u201cisolation\u201d as a reason for releasing the song to the world. They also confirmed that the album would release this year no matter what and that touring plans that they had would be reassessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cStrange days indeed,\u201d wrote the band on their website. \u201cJust wanted to send our love and solidarity to everyone out there feeling alone, frightened and isolated. You are not alone. We are all in this together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They went on to add, \u201cWe hope this finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. Thinking of you fondly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Richard Foltz<br><\/strong>Executive Editor<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-spotify wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: The Long Road to Bright Eyes&amp;apos; New Song (2020)\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/playlist\/6ncMDqV8JzXHo5JXsvtnTA?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Indie-folk pioneer of the early aughts, Conor Oberst, released a new song on Tuesday, March 24 with the \u201cband\u201d that made him famous. The song, &#8220;Persona Non Grata&#8221; is the first song on an album to be released later this year by the band, the first released under the band&#8217;s name for nine years. Obert\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10416,"featured_media":28770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2104,2144],"tags":[4135,4128,4129,4137,4133,4136,4132,4134,4131,2877,4130],"class_list":["post-28762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","category-music-entertainment","tag-better-oblivion-community-center","tag-bright-eyes","tag-conor-oberst","tag-emmylou-harris","tag-jim-james","tag-m-ward","tag-mike-mogis","tag-my-morning-jacket","tag-phoebe-bridgers","tag-richard-foltz","tag-saddle-creek-recordings"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":false,"source_text":false,"source_url":false},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BrightEyes.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5s3vR-7tU","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10416"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28762"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28781,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28762\/revisions\/28781"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}