Not too long ago, Conor Oberst wrote a song and filmed a video at the Arizona country border in protest against the state's immigration enforcement laws. The tune was "Coyote Song" and you can check it out here. The Huffington Post just published an excellent interview with Conor Oberst about the resurgence of DESAPARECIDOS. If you haven't heard their album Read Music/Speak Spanish, (which came out ten years ago apparently!) check it out right now. It's one of my favorite albums of all time. Hopefully, this anger at injustice will fuel another record.
Read the article from the Huffington Post below.
"I'll never understand how destroying families through deportation benefits our society."Conor Oberst, the singer-songwriter who was the voice of a generation well before Lena Dunham took a stab at it, is now 32 years old. And though he's best known for Bright Eyes' aching and somber folk songs, he's angry.
He's angry because America is "destroying families through deportation," and because Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz. is proud to be compared to the KKK. And when Oberst is upset, he doesn't rally a militia of Minutemen or over-zealous officers, he writes a punk-rock song.
And so, in the process of striking back against Arizona's continued harsh treatment of undocumented immigrants, Oberst recorded some new music with some old friends. Joining the lead singer on "MariKKKopa" -- which is debuting today exclusively on HuffPost Entertainment -- are Landon Hedges, Matt Baum, Denver Dalley and Ian McElroy. The original lineup of the Desaparecidos, Oberst's early-2000s post-hardcore band, is back.
The single -- which is available for purchase August 2 and is accompanied by "Backsell," another track -- features Oberst adopting the voice of anti-undocumented immigrant groups. The lyrics approach bloodthirst ("Drag them from their beds / Cause it's their turn for someone to get hurt") and offer a haunting look into the mentality Oberst suggests drives Sheriff Joe's police department.
