Conor Oberst Details New Solo Acoustic Album

Singer-songwriter Conor Oberst will release a new solo acoustic album Ruminations via Nonesuch Records on October 14. The 10-song set was completely recorded over a 48 hour period earlier this year.

Oberst created Ruminations at ARC Studios in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, a facility he founded with his Bright Eyes/Monsters Of Folk band mate Mike Mogis. The stripped down sessions held in the winter with engineer Ben Brodin featured Oberst alone on piano, acoustic guitar and harmonica. He shared the following statement regarding the album:

I wasn’t expecting to write a record. I honestly wasn’t expecting to do much of anything. Winter in Omaha can have a paralyzing effect on a person but in this case it worked in my favor. I was just staying up late every night playing piano and watching the snow pile up outside the window. Next thing I knew I had burned through all the firewood in the garage and had more than enough songs for a record. I recorded them quick to get them down but then it just felt right to leave them alone.

Oberst has a limited number of solo appearances planned in the coming months in support of the new LP. The tour includes stops at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Ruminations Tracklist

1. Tachycardia
2. Barbary Coast (later)
3. Gossamer Thin
4. Counting Sheep
5. Mamah Borthwick (A Sketch)
6. The Rain Follows the Plow
7. A Little Uncanny
8. Next of Kin
9. You All Loved Him Once
10. Till St. Dymphna Kicks Us Out