Featured Artist: Bright Eyes

As Gotye sings in “Somebody that I Used to Know,” “You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness”… and it’s true. We indie kids listen to sappy, sad music because we’re addicted to it. It’s probably why Bright Eyes is so famous; they’re usually slow and sad, but in the best kind of way.

Conor Oberst, the lead singer of Bright Eyes, has been famous since he was about thirteen. The guy’s been playing music for a long time. And you can tell it, too. His lyrics are written with lots of practice, lots of expertise…well, maybe not expertise, but honesty. I value that above most other qualities that an artist can have.

I read a story a guy left in a comment on a YouTube video of a Bright Eyes’ song. The fact that I heard about it on YouTube does make it question the guy’s credibility, but nonetheless, it’s a cool story. So the guy turns twenty-one and he’s at a Bright Eyes concert. He managed to make it backstage to meet Conor (lucky man), and when he gets back there, Conor asks him a little himself. When he found out it was the guy’s twenty-first birthday, Conor poured him a shot and offered the guy a toast, saying, “Here’s to all your dreams coming true.” That’s one of the coolest things I’ve heard out of a celebrity in a long time. I love it when they’re kind to their fans; after all, the fans are what give you the money and the fame.

Some of their best work has got to be, “Lau,” “Halie Salassie,” and “The Bottom of Everything.” You can check out their videos on YouTube, or check out their site.

If you like Bright Eyes, check out some of Oberst’s work with The Mystic Valley Band. My two favorites with that band are “Breezy” and “White Shoes.” They both have to do with love, granted, but cut me some slack—I’m a girl. Anyways, it’s the same sadness and soothing melody I love about Wilco and Neko Case. If you like either of those two artists, or even the Avett Brothers, you may like Bright Eyes or the Mystic Valley Band.

Conor Oberst is a talented guy, and if you like indie music or folk, you might develop a penchant for his honesty. Check them out at the website link above, and see what you think!