Ben Harper and Conor Oberst – New Bands with New Albums
May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!) is right around the corner and it’s going to be a day of new releases. Two notable albums being released on Tuesday are Outer South from Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band and White Lies for Dark Times by Ben Haper and Relentless7. What’s interesting about these two group’s album’s is that the frontmen are entering different territory than what they’ve been used to.
Both Conor Oberst and Ben Harper are known for other bands they’ve played in/fronted. Conor Oberst first gained fame in Bright Eyes, the band he formed in 1995. He released many albums under that name until 2007 when he began working with some different musicians on a new album. This album would become Conor Oberst and would be the debut album under Conor’s real name. It would be considered his first solo effort, but the truth is that a new band formed when recording the album. Dubbed “The Mystic Valley Band” because of a location in Tepoztlan, Mexico where they wrote and recorded between January and February of 2008. By the time they were touring they had written enough songs for a second album, which is what is about to be released on May 5th. The new album from Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band will be called Outer South...listen to it below.
Ben Harper is no stranger to the music scene. He’s released 12 albums, 3 dvds, and has jammed with the best around. There’s something refreshing about seeing an artist take a new direction and try something different out. Harper planted the seeds for his new band back in the 1990′s when Jason Mozersky (guitarist for Relentless7) showed him a demo from his band. Harper was impressed and first worked with Mozersky on the 2006 album Both Sides of the Gun. Soon after a drummer and bassist were recruited (Jordan Richardson and Jesse INgalls respectively) and Relentless7 was formed. While he isn’t killing off the Innocent Criminals….Harper has stated that for now he will be focusing on this new group and their debut album White Lies for Dark Times. The album promises to show off a little bit of a harder rock sound from Harper who has been known for soulful acoustic sets.
It’s great to see two artists trying new bands and exploring different sounds. What’s even better is that both bands are currently streaming their full albums FOR FREE on different websites! Be sure to check it out and if you like it…..buy it.
Listen to Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Outer South
Listen to Ben Harper and Relentless7 – White Lies for Dark Times
