In the late ‘90s, the music press heralded singer-songwriter Conor Oberst as a folk prodigy. His first recordings came out on cassette on his brother’s label, Lumberjack Records (which would eventually become Saddle Creek Records), when Oberst was 13. A month before turning 18, he released his first full-length album on Saddle Creek as Bright Eyes, a compilation of songs written over the previous two years. Oberst made enough of an impression to reel in members of Neutral Milk Hotel, Of Montreal and Tilly and the Wall for a proper debut shortly thereafter. Bright Eyes’ next effort, Fevers and Mirrors, would transform Oberst’s wunderkind status from “rare potential” to “solid force.”
Around that time, Oberst formed a political punk band called Desaparecidos. The band let out a triumphant shout on 2002’s Read Music/Speak Spanish, a concept album that tackled issues like American commercialism and suburbanization and bristled against antiquated family dynamics. It was recorded the week of the 9/11 attacks. Oberst was just 22 years old. Due to the subdued reception and the singer’s burgeoning career in Bright Eyes, the band broke up shortly after the release of the album. Oberst would go on to be that solid force in folk music over the next decade, releasing commercially and artistically successful records with Bright Eyes, under his own name and the super-group Monsters of Folk.
Desparecidos returned in June with, Payola, the band’s first record in 13 years. Unlike its hurried debut, this one took five years to complete. Oberst, now 35, sounds rejuvenated and standing on firmer ground on Payola. With the 2016 presidential election on its way, Oberst doesn’t waste time skirting around political issues. Just a quick glance at the track names—“The Left Is Right,” “City on the Hill,” “Radicalized,” “Slackivist”—tells you what you’re getting into. But the record isn’t a heavy-handed progressive statement; it’s actually one of the most fun records Oberst has released.
Even Conor Oberst detractors have to praise his selection of tour openers. Back in 2011, Titus Andronicus filled the opening slot for Bright Eyes at a sold-out Riverside Theater show and it was Dawes kicking things off at the Pabst Theater for his solo run in 2014. This time, fiery punk rockers Joyce Manor warm the crowd.
Desaparecidos headlines Turner Hall Ballroom on Monday, September 14 at 8 p.m. with openers Joyce Manor. Tickets are $20.
Video of the Week
Sort of hidden away in a two-song release from way back in March 2014 (or, like, a billion Apple rollouts ago), Dogs in Ecstasy’s hilarious farce on social media obsessives, “I’m a Man,” was perhaps the most underrated local track of last year. In the lead-up to the Sept. 29 release of Welcome 2 Hell, the follow-up to 2013’s Dat Cruel God, the band finally unveiled a music video for the song, and in typical DiE-fashion, it’s weird as hell.
Stream of the Week
Rapper/producer/WebsterX roommate Mic Kellogg released his debut, Breakfast, yesterday (via Pigeons in Planes). The ethereal sonic landscape feels like clearing the morning cobwebs after a late night of partying that ended with an omelette at Ma Fischer’s.
Come on Feel the Noise
Things get loud this weekend as Milwaukee Noise Fest celebrates its 10th anniversary. The three-day, 34-band (!!!) festival held at the Borg Ward, 823 W. National Ave., features performances by Z’EV, Jon Mueller, Wilt, Developer Group and Karl Paloucek. Tickets are $15 per night or $30 for a weekend pass. The shows start at 7 p.m.
More Options
Thursday, September 17: Mute Math with Quiet Entertainer at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. (SOLD OUT) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Saturday September 19: Bay View Bash featuring Space Raft, Yonatan Gat, Cold Blue Mountain, Rio Turbo, Myles Coyne, Gallery Night and Brewgrass between Potter and Clement avenues on Kinnickinnic Avenue, 11 a.m. (FREE)
Also: Global Union featuring La Chiva Gantiva, Boogat, Karolina Cicha and Aziz Sahmaoui & University of Gnawa at Humboldt Park, noon (FREE) – (3000 S. Howell Ave.)
And: Mark Mallman with Tigernite and NO/NO at Mad Planet, 9 p.m. ($8) – (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
Sunday, September 20: Calexico with Gaby Moreno at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($20) – (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
