Guardian Music — During the course of last week's travelling-themed RR, I took a long train journey on my own for the first time in well over a year and rediscovered what a pleasure they are. It felt like a luxury to be able to sit quietly, self-absorbed even, gazing... more info

Unreality Music — Wanna hear a gloriously upbeat song about terminal illness? Conor Oberst has just the thing for you then. His latest release brings in The Mystic Valley Band for a good, old-fashioned knees-up that sticks two fingers up to death and disease. The chor... more info

The Lemur Blog — Dead Heart Bloom is something so rare of today as a high quality serious band that has their entire discography for free legal download on their website. But as you'll get to know this amazing find, I suggest you support them by buying through the ot... more info

Detroit Free Press — "Born Yesterday": A comedy by the Community Circle Players at Riverwalk Theatre, final performance 2 p.m. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing. 517-482-5700. $10-$14. Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band: 7 p.m. Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 ... more info

Culture Bully — “Milk Thistle” by invertedmonk Conor Oberst has finally found a band he can get completely lost in. After years of trying, with all the various lineups and incarnations of Bright Eyes, and even having The Faint as his backing band for a tour, Con... more info

Culture Bully — Twin Cities: — City Pages reviews Meth & Red’s First Avenue show. (link) — Outdoor concerts + Target Field = Good idea? (link) — Just announced: The Alarmists @ Turf Club - November 1. (link) (Inter)National: — Yo-Yo Ma on The Colbert Repor... more info

Culture Bully — Conor Oberst is hosting a free concert in support of Barack Obama on Wednesday, October 29th, at the Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown. This concert is free and open to the public - all you have to do to get in is sign up for two GOTV (get out the vote) ... more info

The Red Radio — It’s hard not to love a girl who names Dolly Parton as one of her musical influences. Jenny Lewis, or the girl from Rilo Kiley, or the girl in Postal Service, or even the girl who recorded with Conor Oberst,... more info

JamBase — M. Ward announces details of Hold Time (Merge Records - February 17, 2009) M. Ward M. Ward's rise to international success has been something of a slow burn. Initially a well-kept secret of his peers in the Portland folk scene, his star contin... more info

Pitchfork — Photo by Jen ReelPost-Post-War, M. Ward has been busy palling around with that Zooey Deschanel character, issuing an introductory volume in their She & Him pantheon, and traveling the world both by himself and with the actress-slash-tunesmith. But co... more info