The long-awaited solo album from Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes is set to be released on August 5, 2008.

The release will mark the talented Oberst's first solo project, and because of the success of Bright Eyes in recent years, there are rather big expectations, which can often be unfair to the artist.

But that's just one of many ironies that can happen to musicians who create a buzz with a band and then go solo.

mp3: "danny callahan" by conor oberst from his self-titled debut album

mp3: "spring is a condition" by iforward, russia! from the new CD life processes

mp3: "pink squares" by i was a cub scout from the new release i want you to know that there is always hope

mp3: "footloose" by thomas bartlett off the album doveman footloose

mp3: "scene of the crime" (download only) by hot little hands from the disc dynamite in black and white

advance mp3: "soloist in the living room" by cold war kids from forthcoming yet-to-be-named album (date of release unknown, but rumored for august)

mp3: "i kissed a girl (katy perry)" by false start from self-titled debut

note: some mp3s expire or are removed and become no longer available over a period of time; irc has no control over this since they are external media files. we also fully support indie artists and ask that you do too.

Labels: 2008 Indie Songs, Conor Oberst

Norway's Hove Festival was held a few weeks ago featuring a powerful three-day line-up of musical acts, including Panic at the Disco, Beck, Foals, The Kooks, MGMT (formerly Management), The Raconteurs, and a rare performance by indie rock legends the Brian Jonestown Massacre (photo, above).

The BJM, who were featured with The Dandy Warhols in the compelling rockumentary film, DiG!, was, by all accounts, and considering a history of brawling and drug and alcohol abuse, awesome. This is how you want to see BJM in concert.

Beck performing at Norway's Hove Festival 2008
Other favorite rock and indie artists and bands at the 2008 Hove Festival included Yeasayer, Foals, Flogging Molly, Les Savy Fav, The Cool Kids, Stars, Dinosaur Jr., Paramore, The Go Team and a dozen others. Access the full video playlist.

We've all seen enough low-quality, hand-held videos of music concerts and festivals on YouTube and other popular social media networks. But it is rare to find high-quality video and audio, not to mention full sets, from some of indie's biggest groups and artists for free.

The videos are hosted by NRKP3 in Norway. There is no information listed about how long the shows, complete with thrilling crowd shots, roaming camera cranes and top-notch production, will be available for unlimited, free viewing. See 'em while you can.

Labels: 2008 Music Festivals, Hove Festival

There's been surprisingly few notable new indie releases so far this July. Still, there's some great music that has come out in the past two weeks, including new albums from artists like Earlimart, The Great Northwest, Tilly and the Wall, Girl Talk, Travis and Wolf Parade.

The two remaining band members of Los Angeles band Earlimart, Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray, have released their newest album, Hymn and Her, this month, building off the success of last year's Mentor Tormentor.

"Acoustic guitars chime over drum loops, keyboards bubble in the background, and harmonies thicken the melodies,' according to Allmusic.com.

"Yet Hymn and Her still sounds intimate, as if the band mates have discovered how to funnel their densely populated songs into warm, mellow washes of sound."

MP3: "Song For" by Earlimart off Hymn and Her

Following a three-year hiatus recording solo projects, Montreal's Wolf Parade band members Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner with a new album titled At Mount Zoomer, and an impressive follow-up to their 2005 hailed debut Apologies to the Queen Mary.

MP3: "Call It A Ritual" by Wolf Parade from At Mount Zoomer
MP3: "Chief John" by The Great Northwest from the new CD The Widespread Reign - available July 29, 2008

MP3: "Pot Kettle Black" by Tilly and the Wall from O

MP3: "Cacophony" by Tilly and the Wall from O

Here's the YouTube video for "Pot Kettle Black":

Labels: Earlimart, MP3s

Interestingly enough, despite a sagging economy, high fuel prices and saturation of big, outdoor music festivals spanning two to five days in duration, the fact is that ticket sales for both the veteran fests like Coachella and Bonnaroo, and the 'newbies', have been overall successful so far for 2008.

Labels: 2008 Music Festivals