When the ACL lineup was announced last week there was a curious act on the bill – Connor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band. It turns out that Connor, who is better known as Bright Eyes, assembled the band for the recording of his solo debut. Oberst’s self-titled album hits stores August 5. Here’s some more info:
This recording was made in Tepoztlán, Morelos, México during the months of January and February 2008. In Tepoztlán, a place known for Aztec Magic and Extra-Terrestrial Sightings, a temporary studio was created in a mountain villa called Valle Místico at the outskirts of town. It was produced by Conor Oberst with much help from engineer and long-time associate Andy LeMaster. A special band was assembled for the recording, known amongst themselves and to friends as The Mystic Valley Band. It was there at Valle Místico that Conor and the band lived and worked for that time in near perfect harmony, often unaware of the hour or the day.
In other Oberst news, Rolling Stone named him the Best Songwriter in their just released Best Of Rock issue. The magazine also named The Word as the Best Jamband – which we’re still scratching our head over. Sadly, we were not mentioned as the Best Music Blog. We demand a recount!
4 Responses
The Word is not a jamband by any description (not that I don’t love the music). You only have to look at their top 500 albums ranking to know that RS is a joke. Anything they say, I tend to go the opposite direction.
Looking forward to hearing that Oberst album. I am a huge fan of Wide Awake It’s Morning. Still warming to Cassadega 0 it’s growing on me.
I’m looking forward to it too. Not sure how different it’s going to sound from his normal music, but I’m a big fan of his.
Love the post title!
Ryan