How cute is Conor Oberst?

He is Bright Eyes and if you are unfamiliar with his work, the story is in the soil. I first had the honour of witnessing the genius that is Conor at the 2003 Shortlist concert. I was working for the production company who was taping the show for broadcast on MTV2. I really dig jobs like this, because backstage access is the only way to see shows. The lineup included some bands I had heard of, like Interpol and Damien Rice. But mostly, the artists were new to me. I really didn't know what to expect from Cat Power or the Black Keys. Nonetheless, I was excited to be involved.

The day of the show, all the bands come in at different times to do a soundcheck. Production-wise, there is little to do during this, so I was able to observe artists up close. I marvelled at how strange Chan Marshall (of Cat Power) was and endured the bombastic stylings of the Streets and Floetry from a distance. Then an odd assortment of young people began to set up on stage. Two drummers, a cellist, a banjo, several keyboards and guitar players...and a slew of back up singers. There must have been fifteen people in this band. That's when I spotted Conor. He wore a hoodie, was frightfully thin and looked liked he should inherit the earth. I had grown cynical about the state of rock and the seeming vacancy of youth. All that was about to change.

Bright Eyes tore through a set of songs in a way that I can only describe as awesome. Not in an Eighties, surfer dude way, but in line with the true meaning of the word: inspiring awe. Here was the messiah of music. The new Cobain. Here was the future. I was ecstatic! Finally, something worth coveting. That night at the show, Conor was even better, feeding off the energy of the crowd. He growled and snarled like a true god. At one point, he gave a politically charged speech, castigating Bush. This must have upset the young Republicans because one of them jumped up on stage during the last song and spit on Conor, who just kept singing while the boy was escorted off stage.

Oberst is unafraid to have a point of view and that's one of the things I admire about him. I remember commenting on how "he was the only real rockstar" on the bill. He revived my faith in music and I am forever grateful. I have seen Bright Eyes live about four times in the last two years. Always a phenomenal show. The recorded material is brilliant as well. I suggest Lifted and I'm Wide Awake It's Morning to anyone who appreciates well crafted, intelligent, emotional music. Conor has been recording since he was fourteen and is one the same label as another favorite of mine, the Faint. I'm sure he will continue to produce quality tunes for many, many years to come. The future of rock looks Bright to me.