Miles Barger reports: We've got a question for all you guys and gals out there: How would you like to have an all-night threesome with Bright Eyes? How about nine threesomes over eleven days? Well, too bad! Because alt-folk rocker M. Ward and My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James have already staked their claims-- and this ain't even the first time. During the last half of this year's leapyeariffic February, the singers three engaged in wonderfully inspired musical lovefests nearly every night, wherein they would each play a solo set, and then join together onstage for some lovely three-part harmony to close out the night. And the lovin' must have been good, too, 'cause they're ready to bring that funk back at ya. Here's hoping "the funk" includes a show-stopping Three Amigos salute. Your little buttercup:
10-08 Fort Worth, TX - Ridglea Theater
10-09 Austin, TX - Paramount Theatre
10-12 Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
10-13 San Diego, CA - Spreckles Theatre
10-14 Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre
10-15 Berkeley, CA - Zellerbach Auditorium
10-16 Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
10-18 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
10-19 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
* All dates feature Bright Eyes, Jim James and M. Ward
As previously reported, Oberst has spent a lot of time in the studio over the past couple of months, working on the next Bright Eyes album. Tentatively titled I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, the disc follows 2002's heftily titled Lifted, or, The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground and two split EPs. Oberst recently told the NME that he's got so many songs written and recorded that he's considering releasing them by genre, and possibly as two separate full-lengths.
As to the happenings of Mr. Jim (whom we understand you don't mess around with), he's scheduled to perform at two tribute concerts to be held in honor of Gram Parsons, the late former sensai to Emmylou Harris, erstwhile Byrds member, and friend to the Rolling Stones. The shows will be held July 9th at the Santa Barbara Bowl and July 10th at the Universal Ampitheatre in Los Angeles. Other artists scheduled to perform include Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, Keith Richards, and Dwight Yoakam.
Lastly (but certainly not leastly), M. Ward, affectionately known as W-Dawg by those within smacking range, has been buddying up to James and Oberst for quite some time, and has apparently become quite a pal of theirs. His 2004 touring schedule has seen him playing guitar with Bright Eyes at Coachella in May, and, in May and early June, hitting the road as opener for My Morning Jacket, who before gracing the crowd with their headlining set, performed as Ward's backup band. There's your Team Love.
.: Pitchfork Review: Bright Eyes: Lifted, or, The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
.: Pitchfork Review: My Morning Jacket: It Still Moves
.: Pitchfork Review: M. Ward: Transfiguration of Vincent
.: Saddle Creek: http://www.saddle-creek,com
.: Merge Records: http://www.mergerecords,com
.: Gram Parsons Tribute: http://www. gramparsonstribute,com
