News
Cursive to Support One Show
Feb 13, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) have announced some new spring tour dates. More
Reissues Will Be Out November 11 via Dead Oceans Alongside Companion EPs
Aug 10, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) have announced a second set of album reissues, this time for the albums Lifted or the Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Each album will be released alongside a companion EP, which mainly consist of reworkings of original album tracks. The band has shared three of these reworkings: “You Will. You? Will. You? Will. You? Will,” (originally from Lifted), “Old Soul Song (for the New World Order),” (originally from Wide Awake) and “Gold Mine Gutted” (originally from Digital Ash). The reissues and EPs will be out on November 11 via Dead Oceans. More
Letting Off the Happiness: A Companion Out Now via Dead Oceans
Jun 22, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Last night, Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) made an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, where they performed their 1998 song “Falling Out of Love at this Volume.” More
Letting Off the Happiness: A Companion Due Out May 27 via Dead Oceans
Apr 14, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Last night, Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) made an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where they performed the track “Dance and Sing,” from their 2020 album Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was. More
Letting Off the Happiness: A Companion Due Out May 27 via Dead Oceans
Mar 22, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) have shared a cover of Elliott Smith’s 1995 song “St Ides Heaven.” The cover will be featured on the companion EP to the upcoming reissue of Bright Eyes’ 1998 album Letting Off the Happiness, which will be out on May 27 via Dead Oceans. More
Reissues Will Be Out May 27 via Dead Oceans Alongside Companion EPs
Feb 01, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) have announced a reissue of their first three studio albums, A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997, Letting Off the Happiness, and Fevers and Mirrors. Each album will be released alongside a companion EP, which features reworkings of original album tracks. The band has shared three of these reworkings: “Falling Out of Love at This Volume,” “Contrast & Compare” (feat. Waxahatchee), and “Haligh, Haligh, A Lie, Haligh” (feat. Phoebe Bridgers). More
Tickets Go On Sale This Friday
Dec 07, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) have announced a string of tour dates for 2022. The tour will begin in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 23. The band has partnered with Plus1, and $1 from every ticket sale will be donated to the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale this Friday (Dec. 10) at 10 a.m. local time. More
Nov 04, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Christian Lee Hutson has shared a video for his new song “Strawberry Lemonade,” which was produced by Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst. The song features backing vocals from Oberst and Sharon Silva, along with electric guitar from Meg Duffy (Hand Habits) and piano/trumpet from Nathaniel Wolcott, Oberst’s fellow Bright Eyes member. More
Japanese Breakfast and Waxahatchee Will Also Each Support One Show
Jun 08, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) have announced some new summer tour dates, in what will be their first tour in 10 years. The shows go down this July and August and Lucy Dacus will support all dates. One show will also feature Japanese Breakfast and Waxahatchee will be opening another show. More
Available Now via Dead Oceans
Feb 25, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Wolcott) have shared a cover of Vic Chesnutt’s 2009 song “Flirted With You All My Life.” It is out now via Dead Oceans. More
Plus Badge Époque Ensemble, Julien Baker, Ela Minus, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Oct 23, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to the 41st Songs of the Week of 2020. This week there was a second and final presidential debate that, unlike the first one, was an actual debate. More
“This song should not exist in 2020 America.” – Conor Oberst
Oct 23, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes have shared a new song for Planned Parenthood, “Miracle of Life,” which features backing vocals from Phoebe Bridgers, as well as featuring Jon Theodore and Flea. The song is available on Bandcamp and all proceeds from downloads, streams, and syncs will go to Planned Parenthood. More
Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was Out Now via Dead Oceans
Aug 24, 2020
By Samantha Small
It’s been a big week for Bright Eyes. Reeling from the release of their first album in nine years, Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was the band (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have been a press brigade. First stop: CBS This Morning, second, SiriusXM Sessions (where they covered Thin Lizzy’s“Running Back”). More
Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was Out Now via Dead Oceans
Aug 21, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have released a new album, Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was, today via Dead Oceans. It’s their first new album in nine years and now that it’s out you can stream the whole thing here. Also, yesterday we posted our review of the album. More
Down in the Weeds Where the World Once Was Due Out August 21 via Dead Oceans
Jun 23, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) are releasing a new album, Down in the Weeds Where the World Once Was, on August 21 via Dead Oceans. It’s their first new album in nine years and last night the band was the musical guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, performing the new single “Mariana Trench” in what was their first performance together in nine years. More
Down in the Weeds Where the World Once Was Due Out August 21 via Dead Oceans
Jun 22, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have officially announced their new album, Down in the Weeds Where the World Once Was, and shared a new song from it, “Mariana Trench,” via a video for the track. More
Plus Club Intl, Skullcrusher, Art Feynman, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
May 29, 2020
By Christopher Roberts (with Lily Guthrie, Samantha Small, and Julian Roberts-Grmela)
Welcome to the 21st Songs of the Week of 2020. It’s another week under quarantine, the same as the last week. In terms of this week’s new songs, the pickings were somewhat slim, perhaps partly because Monday was Memorial Day, meaning less new tracks of note were shared these week. But we’ve still come up with some that we liked (albeit, only a Top 9, instead of our usual Top 10). More
The Third Single From a Forthcoming New Album on Dead Oceans
May 27, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have shared a new song, “One and Done.” It is said to be the third single from a yet-to-be-announced new album. More
Support Us for Only $1.00 a Month to Access the Long Out of Print Issue from 2005
May 25, 2020
By Mark Redfern
We’ve been uploading the long out of print and sold out Issue 8 to our Patreon page, one article at a time. The 2005 issue features Bright Eyes on the cover and so far we have uploaded interviews from it with Tegan and Sara, Mew, Muse, Doves, My Morning Jacket, The Walkmen, Metric, Rilo Kiley, Low, The Decemberists, Devendra Banhart, and more. More
Becky Stark, Steve Gregoropoulos, and Ron Regé, Jr. Are Back
May 18, 2020
By Samantha Small
Lavender Diamond have returned. The trio of Becky Stark, Steve Gregoropoulos, and Ron Regé, Jr. have shared the music video for a new song called “Look Through the Window,” their first new release in eight years. More
The 2005 Issue Featured Bright Eyes in the Cover; Support Us for Only $1.00 a Month to Access It
Apr 29, 2020
By Mark Redfern
We’re uploading the long out of print and sold out Issue 8 to our Patreon page, one article at a time each weekday. The 2005 issue features Bright Eyes on the cover and includes interviews with Tegan and Sara, Primal Scream, The Cramps, My Morning Jacket, The Dresden Dolls, Can, Supergrass, Doves, Devendra Banhart, Donovan, The Dears, Mew, The Decemberists, and much more. More
Plus Car Seat Headrest, Everything Everything, Jessie Ware, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Apr 24, 2020
By Christopher Roberts (with Lily Guthrie)
Welcome to the sixteenth Songs of the Week of 2020. It’s another week under quarantine, the same as the last week. More
The Second Single From a Forthcoming New Album on Dead Oceans
Apr 21, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have shared a new song, “Forced Convalescence.” It is said to be the second single from a yet-to-be-announced new album and follows “Persona Non Grata,” a new song the band shared in March that was their first new song in nine years. More
Their First Release For Dead Oceans
Mar 24, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have shared their first new song in nine years, “Persona Non Grata.” More
They Will Be the Band’s First Shows in Nine Years; Lucy Dacus and Lavender Diamond to Open Some Shows
Feb 18, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have announced a world tour, with dates in America, the UK, Europe, and Japan. They will be the band’s their first new shows in nine years. More
Band Also Share Teaser Video; Shows Include England’s End of the Road Festival
Jan 21, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have announced their first new shows in nine years. They have also signed to Dead Oceans and have been recording, with intentions to release new music this year. The band have also shared a teaser video featuring them recording in the studio with an orchestra. More
Songs Available Now via Bandcamp
Nov 07, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Conor Oberst (of Bright Eyes) has shared two new songs, “No One Changes” and “The Rockaways.” More
The 15th Anniversary of the Iraq War Approaches
Mar 17, 2018
By Stephen Mayne
This week we look back on foreign invasions of years gone by, plus Trump turmoil, Russian spies, Neil Young laughing at the NRA, and Conor Oberst in his President Bush bashing days. More
Ruminations Due Out October 14 via Nonesuch
Sep 29, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes is releasing a new solo album, Ruminations, on October 14 via Nonesuch. It is described as a solo acoustic album. No actual songs from the album have been shared since the album wasannounced in early August and the album isn’t due out for two more weeks, but now you can stream the whole thing below via NPR First Listen. More
Ruminations Due Out October 14 via Nonesuch
Aug 03, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes has announced a new solo album, Ruminations, which is due out October 14 via Nonesuch. It is described as a solo acoustic album. Oberst recorded the album in the winter of 2016 in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, after living in New York City for a decade. More
Due Out September 16 via Saddle Creek
Jul 20, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nathaniel Walcott) have announced a new box set, The Studio Albums 2000-2011, which is due out September 16 via Saddle Creek. It will be released on both vinyl and CD and includes six albums. More
More Rain Out Now via Merge
Jun 15, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
M. Ward released a new album, More Rain, back in March via Merge. Now he’s shared a video for More Rain track “Slow Driving Rain.” Carlos Foster directed the clip, which mixes footage of Ward performing the song with moody nighttime driving images. Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst, who was in the supergroup Monsters of Folk with Ward, cameos as a passenger. More
Talks About Songwriting, Bob Dylan, and False Rape Accusation
Feb 16, 2015
By Mike Hilleary
Earlier today Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst appeared on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast. More
Live at New York City’s Town Hall on Sept. 29
Aug 20, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
On Dec. 6, the Coen brothers will release their newest film, Inside Llewyn Davis, depicting a week in the life of a young folk singer living in Greenwich Village in the winter of 1961 as he struggles for his big break. More
Bright Eyes' Albums from Most to Least Essential
Apr 10, 2013
By Michele Yamamoto
Ranked is our recurring series in which one of our writers takes an artist’s catalogue and ranks all their official studio albums from best to worst. The order is decided by the individual writer, rather than our editors. This time Michele Yamamoto ranks Bright Eyes. More
Jan 24, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
Saddle Creek has announced this morning that it will be re-releasing six previously out of print Bright Eyes EPs and LPs on vinyl. More
Plus Wild Beasts, Cold War Kids, and Mavis Staples
Sep 20, 2011
By Wendy Lynch Redfern
Check out more photos from Day One of ACL Music Festival 2011 in Austin, TX including Big Boi, Bright Eyes, Fool’s Gold, Cold War Kids, James Blake, Kanye West, Kurt Vile, Mavis Staples, Santigold, Smith Westerns, and Wild Beasts. More
Plus Bright Eyes, Fools Gold, Santigold and more!
Sep 19, 2011
By Wendy Lynch Redfern
Check out photos from Day One of ACL Music Festival 2011 in Austin, TX including Big Boi, Bright Eyes, Fools Gold, Foster the People, Futurebirds, James Blake, Kanye West, Kurt Vile, Mavis Staples, Santigold, Smith Westerns and Wild Beasts. We sent photographer Robert Redfield down to capture the action. More
Jul 19, 2011
By Laura Studarus
Bright Eyes continues to tease out tour dates. Today the west coast got the happy news that yes—they’re heading in our direction. We have the full listing. More
Rare and Unreleased Songs from Elliott Smith, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, James Mercer, Modest Mouse, Wilco, and much more
Jul 19, 2011
By Mark Redfern
Last week Under the Radar premiered an unreleased Ryan Adams song, “Shine Through the Dark,” and now we’re pleased to premiere a full stream of the album it’s taken from
—the 64-track charity compilation Live From Nowhere Near You: Volume Two, which is out today via Greyday Records. The album features rare and unreleased tracks from the likes of Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes (featuring Spoon’s Britt Daniel), The Shins’ James Mercer, Modest Mouse, Wilco, Daniel Johnston, The Helio Sequence, Blue Giant (featuring members of Sleater-Kinney, The Decemberists, and Viva Voce), and much more. More
With Support from Dr. Dog and First Aid Kit
Jul 12, 2011
By Margot Cooper Gruen
Bright Eyes have announced more fall tour dates in support of their February release The People’s Key. More
Jun 15, 2011
By Laura Studarus
On July 4, Bright Eyes is unleashing a live EP—cleverly titled Live Recordings. More
Jun 09, 2011
By Laura Studarus
Bright Eyes headed out to the desert for their new video “Jejune Stars” (from recently released album The People’s Key). More
The Civil Wars Created Benefit to Aid Alabama
Jun 09, 2011
By Margot Cooper Gruen
Bright Eyes, St. Vincent, Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, and Wilco donate items to charity auction. Civil Wars Created Benefit to Aid Alabama. More
Extra Shows Added to U.S. Tour
Mar 09, 2011
By Lauren Barbato
Today, the indie folk-rock outfit confirmed the dates, venues, and acts for the newly added shows to their U.S. tour. We have the details. More
Feb 25, 2011
By Mike Hilleary
Before kicking off a series of US tour dates in support of the band’s seventh album The People’s Key, Bright Eyes made a television appearance yesterday to perform on Late Night with David Letterman. More
Feb 16, 2011
By Laura Studarus
There’s a lot of cross-fading and some serious emoting going on in new Bright Eyes video, “Shell Games” from upcoming album, The People’s Key. More
Issue Includes Interviews with R.E.M., Bright Eyes, The Decemberists, Cut Copy, Jens Lekman, Okkervil River, Panda Bear, Lykke Li, Iron and Wine, Elbow, Duran Duran, Destroyer, and more
Feb 11, 2011
By Mark Redfern and Laura Studarus
Under the Radar’s Winter 2011 issue is about to hit stands. The cover features Death Cab for Cutie, who gave writer Matt Fink insight into the band’s forthcoming album, Codes and Keys (due out in May). The issue also includes interviews with Bright Eyes, British Sea Power, The Dears, The Decemberists, Destroyer, The Dodos, Duran Duran,Elbow, Iron and Wine, Lykke Li, R.E.M., Telekinesis, Toro Y Moi, The Antlers, The Big Pink, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Jens Lekman, Okkervil River, Panda Bear, Vivian Girls, Anna Calvi, Porcelain Raft, Smith Westerns, Yuck, and more.
More
Feb 08, 2011
By Mike Hilleary
Bright Eyes include new stops to the band’s upcoming tour. More
The People’s Key Out Feb. 15
Jan 31, 2011
By Lauren Barbato
The People’s Key, which sees Oberst straying from his recent alt-country sensibility, will stream on the NPR website until the record drops Feb. 15. More
Jan 11, 2011
By Laura Studarus
On March 2, Conor Oberst takes to the road in support of forthcoming album The People’s Key—his last album under the Bright Eyes moniker. Today, additional dates were announced. We have the full line-up. More
The People’s Key Out February 15
Dec 21, 2010
By Laura Studarus
On February 15, Conor Oberst will release The People’s Key—what may be his last album under the Bright Eyes name. Today, the first single was released. More
Conor Oberst and Co. Announce Dates for Spring 2011 Tour
Dec 14, 2010
By Lauren Barbato
Bright Eyes make their first full run of U.S. shows in over three years. We have the details. More
The People’s Key is Due February 15th on the Band's Longtime Label Saddle Creek.
Nov 30, 2010
By John Everhart
After an extended hiatus, Bright Eyes are back with a brand new LP titled The People’s Key due in early 2011. We have the details. More
Supported By Old Pals The Felice Brothers on Most Dates
Aug 13, 2010
By John Everhart
Fresh off last month’s Omaha benefit Concert for Equality featuring his bands Bright Eyes and Desaparecidos, Conor Oberst has lined up a short solo tour of California. We have the details. More
Interviews
Feb 23, 2021
By Matt Fink
“It just slipped out of my mouth”—that’s how Conor Oberst remembers the conversation that ended Bright Eyes’ eight-year hiatus. More
Reviews
Nov 22, 2022
By Sean Fennell
Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is an album that has always suffered from comparison. More
Nov 22, 2022
By Sean Fennell
I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning is, in a lot of ways, the culmination of the early half of Conor Oberst’s career. More
Nov 22, 2022
By Sean Fennell
Bright Eyes recently released the second in a series of reissues in conjunction with their new label, Dead Oceans. More
Aug 18, 2022
By Max Pilley
This time last week, Under the Radar were in Oslo for Øya Festival. Here’s what we saw. More
May 28, 2012
By John Everhart
The year 2000, when Bright Eyes’ Fevers and Mirrors was initially released, was, in retrospect, the final vestige of an era of mystery, soon to be supplanted by Internet message board inundation and Twitter ubiquity. More
Apr 18, 2011
By Mark Redfern
Day two of Coachella 2011 offered few surprises, but plenty of solid sets, including two British bands—one reunited ‘90s legends back for another try, and the other a star-making main stage performance from a band still on their debut album. More
Feb 21, 2011
By Jim Scott
The one defining characteristic of Conor Oberst’s prolific career has been confidence. More