Bright Eyes, the one-man band with an ever-changing lineup of guest artists created by Conor Oberst, peforms tonight at DAR Constitution Hall.
Oberst is the creative force behind Bright Eyes, which features a rotating lineup of guest artists at concerts and on Oberst’s albums. Oberst put out an acoustic-based four track cassette at the age of 13, and became the lead singer for the band Commander Venus at the age of 14. The band broke up after two years, but they managed to create the independent label Saddle Creek Records which is home to bands such as Cursive and Lullaby for the Working Class, in addition to Oberst’s own project Bright Eyes.
The break up of Commander Venus was due in part to Oberst’s desire to focus more on acoustic-based music and less on the distorted guitar sound of the band. Oberst’s acoustic guitar and unsteady but emotive voice became his trademark as he recorded numerous tracks between the years 1995 and 1997. He recorded these tracks on his father’s reel to reel four track, but never intended to release them.
Meanwhile Oberst formed another band when he decided to switch instruments with friend Clark Baechle, who is the current drummer for The Faint. Oberst and Baechle formed Park Ave. in 1996 with Oberst on drums, Baechle on vocals and guitar, and mutual friends Jenn Bernard, Neely Jenkins and Jamie Williams, on keyboard, bass and guitar respectively. The band stayed together for two and half a years and released one pop indie record entitled When Jamie Went to London…We Broke Up, in addition to a 7″ recording with Wren and a two track appearance on a Saddle Creek compilation album.
After Park Ave.’s breakup Oberst became more serious about his solo work. Saddle Creek had been listening to the numerous tracks he had recorded between 1995 and 1997 and decided they wanted to release an album. Oberst and friends sorted through the copious material and chose 20 tracks that became Bright Eyes’ first album, A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997, released in 1998. Bright Eyes also released Letting Off the Happiness that same year.
Letting Off the Happiness included appearances from members of Neutral Milk Hotel and Of Montreal. After the release of that album Oberst decided that the Bright Eyes vehicle would consist of him on guitar along with any other musicians that wanted to join in.
Bright Eyes’ most recent albums were released on the same day back in January 2005. I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning is an acoustic country-tinged record featuring haunting melodies from Emmy Lou Harris. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is a more electronically-driven effort, with a slightly more pop sound. Both albums highlight Oberst’s emotional, intimate songs, but I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning is clearly his finest acoustic offering yet.
Bright Eyes performs tonight at 7:30 at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW Washington, D.C. 20006. Tickets are $25. Call (202)-628-1776 for more information.
