Conor Oberst Artistfacts

February 15, 1980
Conor Oberst is well known for writing politically charged songs and aligning himself with progressive causes. This was most dramatically illustrated during a 2004 appearance on The Jay Leno Show, where Oberst played a strongly anti-George Bush song, "When the President Talks to God."
Oberst often keeps his eyes closed while singing, because he finds it distracting to see people while performing.
Although Conor Oberst is best known for his role as the lead singer and songwriter of Bright Eyes, he's a musically restless artist who releases work under a variety of monikers. Some of his other associated acts are Monsters of Folk, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Desperadicios. Oberst has also consistently released solo albums throughout his career.
Oberst is very involved on the business side of the music industry. The singer is one of the founding members of the Saddle Creek label, and is the co-founder of label Team Love. Both release music known for its "Omaha sound" — rock and indie sounds with a folksy twang.
Oberst recorded his first album, Waters, while he was only 12 years old, and released it at age 13. It was released as a cassette on "Lumberjack Records," a small start-up funded by his brother, Justin. Lumberjack would go on to evolve into the successful Saddle Creek label. Only 300 copies were released.
Oberst has mused that, if he ever retired from music, zookeeping would be in an interesting alternate career. He stated that it would be fun to "swim with dolphins, tame a lion, stuff like that."
Conor Oberst is strongly anti-Facebook and other forms of social networking. He says that sometimes he feels like they are "the downfall of mankind" and make him wish he "lived in a different time". His reasoning is that they make it almost impossible to truly ever get away and escape from a place.
In 2012 Oberst opened a bar in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. Named The Pageturner's Lounge, a name borrowed from the bookstore that previously existed in the building. Against expectations, the bar does not feature live music.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

More Songfacts:

Do You Realize??The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize??" was named in March 2009 the official Rock Song of Oklahoma. Four years later, Oklahoma's governor Mary Fallin pulled the tune as the state's official rock song in a move her office said had more to do with priorities than musical taste.

I Got You BabeSonny & Cher

"I Got You Babe" made Sonny Bono the only person to perform on a #1 hit and also get elected to congress.

Do The BartmanThe Simpsons

"Do The Bartman," released at the peak of Simpsons-mania, has uncredited backup vocals by Michael Jackson, who later appeared on the show.

I'll Be Missing YouPuff Daddy

Puff Daddy didn't get permission to sample the Police song "Every Breath You Take" on his Notorious B.I.G. tribute "I'll Be Missing You," but he later reached an agreement and even performed the song with Sting.

Stuck In The Middle With YouStealers Wheel

"Stuck In The Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel was the unlikely choice for a scene in Quentin Tarantino's 1992 movie Reservoir Dogs where somebody loses an ear.

Ebony and IvoryPaul McCartney

Paul McCartney wrote "Ebony and Ivory," his duet with Stevie Wonder, after a tiff with his wife Linda. "It was like, 'Why can't we get it together- our piano can,'" he explained.

Editor's Picks

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."