Conor Oberst, Jim James, M. Ward Reunite For Monsters Of Folk

You may recall that a few years back, Conor Oberst toured with Jim James and M. Ward on a tour that effectively combined the three musician's performances in a sort of crossover revue. The tour was highly acclaimed, and was highlighted by a killer appearance on Austin City Limits.

Well now the three are reuniting, and this time for far more than a tour. Come September 22nd, the three will be releasing a full length under the moniker Monsters Of Folk. The record, entitled Say Please promises to combine some of the most talented songwriters in the business today for a combo that promises to seriously be one of the most exciting releases of the year.

While you'll have to wait two months for the real deal, the band has released the title track as a teaser, and it completely lives up to the promise. It manages to combine each of the three's vocal and writing styles in a romp that is raucus and chill at the same time, and has us slobbering for more. Yum.

mp3: Monsters Of Folk - Say Please

Merge's Anniversary Fest Goes Onsale Wednesday, Promises To Be Awesome

Last fall we mentioned that Merge Records was ramping up to a seriously cool record release for their twentieth anniversary this year. Well, in addition they've also lined up a five day music festival that's going to feature the best and the brightest of the Merge roster. Given that Merge hosts some of HAD's favorite artists, the fest has us drooling like crazy monkey people.

XX Merge is taking place from July 22nd to the 26th, at Merge's headquarters in Carrboro, NC. Currently the confirmed lineup is as follows:

SUPERCHUNK
SPOON
CONOR OBERST
SPENT
M.WARD
THE ROSEBUDS
DESTROYER
GUV'NER
POLVO
PIPE
THE BROKEN WEST

What's more there's the promise of "Many more expected & unexpected". While there are no guarantees, we'd be willing to make a pretty solid bet that Merge powerhouse Arcade Fire will make an appearance. What's more, much of the label's cred-establishing bands like The Magnetic Fields, Crooked Fingers and Robert Pollard also seem to be likely suspects. The real question, however, is that conspicuous legacy on the Merge roster: Will Neutral Milk Hotel make an appearance?

All of these mysteries will be revealed in July, but in order for that to happen, you need a pass to the fest. If you're so inclined - you're in luck: the passes go on sale this Wednesday at 10 AM Eastern Time via catscradle.com and mergerecords.com.

Conor Oberst Played Bottom Of The Hill

There can be little doubt that Conor Oberst has a thing for Bob Dylan. Whether it be his emphasis on lyrically driven song writing, a backing band that apes aggressively on The Band, or a cover of "Corina, Corina", there's always a strong Dylan vibe in the air. The real question is: is this a bad thing? If the show last Friday at The Bottom Of The Hill is any indication, the answer is a ubiquitous "No", not in the least.

Oberst and his "Mystic Valley Band" played a show that was primarily a showcase of their forthcoming "Conor Oberst" record. The show was far less "emo" than one might expect from Oberst's street cred, both in musicianshp and lyrical content. It seems that Oberst is continuing the trend of lightening things up that began with the last few Bright Eyes albums. For the band's part, they delivered a fair dose of good old fashioned rock and roll, completely with searing guitar solos, and massive organ sounds.

So, is Oberst aping a bit of Dylan? Sure, but he's doing it well. Moreover, it seems more than probable that he's wrestling with some of the same demons that vexed Dylan as his career expanded in the 60's: escaping his serious, folky, former self; testing new musical waters while still keeping the bar for quality high; putting on a show that rewards the artist as well as the fans. It's nice to see that Oberst is willing to head to new places, and we're anxious to hear this band again in October after they've had a few months on the road.

More pics over at the H.A.D. Flickr feed.

Conor Oberst Coming To The Warfield

If you were unlucky enough to miss out on Conor Oberst tickets for the Bottom of The Hill, all is not lost. While it is a considerably less intimate venue, you can catch Oberst and his Mystic Valley Band at The Warfield on October 24th. We'll let you know how the Bottom Of The Hill shows go, and you can decide for yourself.

Tickets are on sale now.

Conor Oberst At Bottom Of The Hill 8/1, 8/2

Yes, you read that correctly: Conor Oberst, he of Bright Eyes fame, will be playing one of San Francisco's smallest rooms for two nights in August. Oberst is on the road promoting his self-titled solo "debut" Conor Oberst. The record is out on Merge August 5th. Shockingly, there are still tickets available to both nights. What can we say? It's a great opportunity to see an awesome songwriter in a tiny venue. Moreover, the advance tracks sound like some really killer tracks. Get em while they're hot.

mp3: Conor Oberst - Souled Out!!!
mp3: Conor Oberst - Danny Callahan