Music fans, start saving your cash now.
Through the fall, a number of big and small concert tours are stopping through town. And a countless number of albums will be released.
All those concerts (plus beers at the show) and album purchases (or iTunes downloads) could add up.
Topping the list for both categories this fall is the Monsters of Folk, whose self-titled album was released last week.
The Monsters are quite the fearsome foursome in the realm of indie rock: Omaha natives Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and songwriter M. Ward.
Come October, the band will take the stage at the Holland Performing Arts Center for a 2½-hour performance. The supergroup will mix songs from its 15-song album with material from the respective catalogues of the band's members.
MEET THE MONSTERS:
Mike Mogis
The indie rock uber-producer and multi-instrumentalist is a member of Bright Eyes with Oberst and has engineered, produced and performed on records from Pete Yorn, Cursive, Rilo Kiley and many others. He and brother A.J. created Presto! Recording Studios in Lincoln, and now Mogis and Oberst own ARC (Another Recording Company) recording studios in Omaha.
Conor Oberst
An Omaha native, Oberst is the ringleader of Bright Eyes and of his Mystic Valley Band and founder of the Team Love record label. Oberst started performing in Omaha and released the cassette “Water” as a teenager. He was named best songwriter of 2008 by Rolling Stone and his writing skills are continually compared to Bob Dylan.
Jim James
Going by the moniker Yim Yames, James can be a little strange at times. As the lead singer and songwriter for the Kentucky-based rock group My Morning Jacket, he has defined the group's sometimes rocking, sometimes ethereal sound. He also recently released a disc of George Harrison cover songs, titled “Tribute To.”
M. Ward
It's a wonder M. Ward has any energy. The singer-songwriter from Portland, Ore., has enough to do touring and releasing his own critically acclaimed albums, let alone producing records for friends such as Jenny Lewis, appearing on records for Bright Eyes and others and taking on projects such as pairing with actress Zooey Deschanel as the duo She & Him.
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