There’s no beginning to the story…

Well, I mean, technically this would be the beginning. But you know what I mean. CONOR OBERST is BACK!!!

Bright Eyes and ‘Lifted‘ hit me at just the right time in college. In was an anthem, a battle cry, an emo blanket to wrap myself in that felt more urgent and important than anything else around. So with that, I will forever find myself following Oberst through all of his twists and turns, his digital dabbling and spur-jangling country flavors.

This from PASTE:

Today, Oberst confirmed the country-inspired album we reported on earlier. Upside Down Mountain is set for a May 20 release on Oberst’s new label, Nonesuch Records.

Oberst released a new song from the album. Titled “Hundreds of Ways,” the song makes good on that country promise, adding in percussion and horn treatments that recall Paul Simon. The song will be released as a single on Record Store Day (April 19), which will also include the album b-side “Fast Friends.”

***

(removes mouth from paper bag, takes deep breath)

Oberst will also hit the road in May with Dawes, opening and playing the role of backing band. Which, is very exciting news. However, I will holster such excitement until I get the Priceline Negotiator on the phone, because there is not a Philadelphia stop planned as of yet.

Via Pitchfork:

05-08 Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom
05-09 Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
05-10 Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Festival
05-11 Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
05-13 Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
05-14 Orlando, FL – The Beacham
05-16 Gulf Shores, AL – The Hangout Festival
05-17 Chattanooga, TN – Track 29
05-22 Westbury, NY – The Space at Westbury
05-23 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
05-24 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
05-25 Munhall, PA – Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead
05-27 Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
05-29 Chicago, IL – Metro
05-30 Chicago, IL – Metro
05-31 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
06-01 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
06-02 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
06-04 Omaha, NE – Sokol Auditorium
06-05 Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
06-06 Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
06-07 Lexington, KY – Buster’s
07-29 New York, NY – Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield

Part of me wants to see him at Buster’s in Kentucky just for the story. Or the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee? How can that be bad?

We shall see.

“I don’t know what tomorrow brings, it’s alive with such possibilities”