Better Oblivion Community Center - Easy/Lucky/Free (Live on KEXP)

KEXP.ORG presents Better Oblivion Community Center performing the Bright Eyes song "Easy/Lucky/Free" live in the KEXP studio. Recorded March 17, 2019.
Host: Cheryl Waters
Audio Engineers: Julian Martlew & Andy D. Park
Audio Mixer: Andy D. Park
Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Alaia D'Alessandro & Justin Wilmore
Editor: Jim Beckmann
kexp.org
www.betterobli...

[@HotStrange]

I remember being so touched by this song when it came out. I was in high school and this album and I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning changed my life and started a life long love for Conor Oberst. This version gives me the same chills. Love it.

[@adornoir]

same same!

[@fernandocarneiro2327]

I was not in high school but it made me a high school kid back again. The magic that only masterful songs can pull off.

[@timkokai4716]

Yeah bought both albums at 15 life changed

[@th3gr81]

Yeah, I feel it too. We’re about the same age. I bought both albums when they came out.

[@idance4catpower]

we could be friends, mr Haut Strange

[@dansenkat]

This just added 6 years into my life.

[@nicolec4586]

Wholeheartedly obsessed with everything Phoebe Bridgers has ever done. Also this is one of my favorite Bright Eyes songs

[@cezarregala8403]

Connor's "there is nothing"s are always a treat to the ears

[@matthewsanderswrobel8909]

There is nothing there is nothing there is nothing

[@staygold902]

Pheobe's is better

[@fioregiallo]

Oh man when she talk-sings/screams I got CHILLS wow

[@iNEEDANAPx]

I feel like him doing this, is so humbling. He is so humble. Ugh.

[@adamnorris4938]

I feel like the only person in that room having more fun than Phoebe is the drummer.

[@idance4catpower]

i watch her and wonder how in the hell can she be in that room hear herself making something this great and keep her wits. i also wonder about the crunchy clank of that guitar. they deserve a national holiday ... and then one more thing. is there any other person on the planet who could make a bright eyes song sound more honest and heartfelt than the original?

[@killedbykato]

Conors probably played this song a million times and is over it lol

[@MrFritzwho]

Pretty sure that’s Griffin Goldsmith of the band Dawes!

[@maljamin]

@Dale Phillips She's front and center she knows the lyrics. People have commented how much they loved this song when it came out, I think she was right there, or I imagine it. Just the perfect words to express the moment and if she knew the song as a kid and now gets to sing it with him I cant imagine. Right, she does kind of lose it, but the words to sing when you lose it, are those lyrics!

[@amircat]

​@@killedbykatobut I bet it felt brand new to him with Phoebe there

[@merelymayhem]

i love the better oblivion community center version of easy/lucky/free, it sounds so good live

[@Couldnotexplain]

Phoebes voice in this song is amazing.

[@felleroerdere3351]

interesting. i found this song to not suit her singing style. she sounds out of place a little

[@clintwheeler2184]

They keep getting better and better. Not to my surprise.

[@allisononeill5480]

I am only and always in love with every and all versions of this song!

[@cezarregala8403]

No, this is has to be one of Connor's Magnums Opuses

[@paulgreenleaf600]

I love how Conor songs are always evolving live. . People like real shit Conors got that going on

[@jaxmaberry1720]

Can they come out with a punk album now, I love hearing her sing like this

[@tetryst]

okay nothing about this performance is in any way punk, so I don't know what you're trying to say -- but if you mean that we need the grungier side of indie-pop to come back yeah, I'd probably be into that.

[@PriestsandParamedics]

Sounds more like she is doing karaoke to me.

[@maljamin]

She needs to go full screamo with these bruhs. Desaparecidos feat. Screamy Bridgers

[@sarahbums]

i can't believe I'm 18 months late in finding this but....im hyperventilating

[@ericthornberg]

better late than never!

[@matthewsanderswrobel8909]

Love yalol

[@derekstitt7215]

Her beautiful singing over that grungy fucking guitar is magical 🖤🖤

[@matthewsanderswrobel8909]

That guitar is destroyed

[@kimpup8135]

Goosebumps. Every time.

[@kiaora12]

Can we take a minute and be grateful for not having a new senseless war with Iran this week.

[@elda7153]

oh god

[@6guntx]

Spoke to soon.

[@michaelnone6322]

Trump knows what he's doing, the most anti-war president we've had in a long time, regardless of whether you like him or not, it's the truth.

[@elda7153]

@@michaelnone6322 anything he does is money motivated all the presidents are war criminals and America will never change.

[@lancejames7072]

Jesus Christ. I’m surprised you’re even able to type considering your spine must be broke for patting yourself on the back so hard. You smell your own farts don’t you? Yeah, you do.

[@plainpat1990]

This should have ten million views. Love this version.

[@mitzelplik187um]

Cant stop listening

[@III-db2zz]

The ending that showed Conor’s guitar literally reminds me, or someone, of being released to space.

[@Gabrielfi24]

Did it all get real, I guess it's real enough They got refrigerators full of blood Another century spent pointing guns At anything that moves Sometimes I worry that I've lost the plot My twitching muscles tease my flipping thoughts I never really dreamed of Heaven much Until we put him in the ground But it's all I'm doing now Listening for patterns in the sound Of an endless static sea But once the satellite's deceased It blows like arbors through the streets Of the night sky to infinity But don't you weep (Don't you weep for them) Don't you weep (Don't you weep) There is nothing as lucky Honey, don't you weep (Don't you weep for them) Don't you weep (Don't you weep) There is nothing as lucky, as easy and free Don't be a criminal in this police state You better shop and eat and procreate You got vacation days then you might escape To a condo on the coast I set my watch to the atomic clock I hear the crowd count down till the bomb gets dropped I always figured that there'd be time enough I never let it get me down But I can't help it now Looking for faces in the clouds I got some friends I barely see But we're all planning to meet We'll lay in bags as dead as leaves All together for eternity But don't you weep (Don't you weep for them) Don't you weep (Don't you weep) There is nothing as lucky Honey, don't you weep (Don't you weep for them) Don't you weep (Don't you weep) There is nothing as lucky, as easy or free Or free, or free, or free There's nothing There's nothing There's nothing...

[@mv2289]

What's in ur mouth? My dog: There is nothing (4:26)

[@elda7153]

thank you

[@PondOfGlue]

This aged INCREDIBLY well with the release of Punisher and the lines on Moon Song and I Know the End lmfaooo

[@MS-he3wz]

@@PondOfGlue omg true

[@joeford826]

this version brings me to tears every time

[@subterreanhighrise]

Conor Oberst is one of the finest Songwriters of his generation. I would even go out on a limb and say he is on par with Elliott Smith.

[@sinnsage]

elliott smith is great but Conor is better.

[@music4life654]

@@sinnsage Easy there tiger, don't push it lol

[@Ruby-eq1qg]

they're both amazing in their own ways but as songwriters they do have diff styles so whos best kinda comes to preference

[@hectorjenkins934]

Conor's lyrics are leagues ahead I love Elliot and he is brilliant but Conor's songs just hit different

[@Apeekachu]

@@sinnsage What yikes. Conor is good in his own way and Elliott in his way. I find it childish trying to compare apples and oranges. My dad can beat up your dad. Why not just appreciate them both? They never tried to battle each other or tried to one up each other. Why are you?

[@darknessfalls1956]

hope they stay together for a while

[@fioregiallo]

When I first discovered Phoebe I was like "wow I wish she'd collab with Conor" and a few months later I saw an article about Better Oblivion, and was so stoked

[@marina.chayka]

@@fioregiallo He sings on a song on her album.

[@uTube359]

I believe there could be soo much good to come

[@michaelgray7717]

I dearly love this rendition!

[@lazysundaydrums]

This song gave me big chills

[@jalendailey584]

this is the definitive recording of this track

[@wyndgrove9452]

I've loved this song since it first came out, and this version makes me love it even more.

[@aricaaaa444]

i cant stop listening to this

[@bigfatamishbob6935]

i love them both so much. this is so perfect it hurts.

[@robota.2433]

There is NOTHING!

[@billybobcat238]

Thank God she met up with Conor and we could have this colab.

[@renataverrrrrr]

i’m obsessed with this video oh my god

[@bothskippingsupper]

Is this band just Phoebe doing karaoke?

[@eshanmcgee]

Lol

[@ashleylois]

every time i watch this video (5x a day) i scroll down to read this comment and laugh out loud

[@batman-sr2px]

Pretty much

[@yodsapholwonglertwit9699]

I think "Yes" !

[@TH.417]

Yes

[@samus598]

There is nothing.... Very well done performance. This is such a good song, it holds up so well. Great song for troubled times.

[@dwightbuck5664]

This song is amazing

[@findlayrutherford]

yoooo Christian Lee Hutson on guitar

[@renataverrrrrr]

this. video. is. perfection.

[@ashleylois]

Phoebe screaming +1

[@isabelaprende]

The best screamer currently.

[@davidtuley8949]

This is sooooo gooooooooooood.

[@christopherloera2629]

Holy sh** I love her singing this song. So cool. 1

[@TheNicestGuy02]

Yeah Conor turn up the distortion

[@noellesears10]

my fav thing about bocc singing bright eyes songs is conor's doing it as the lead singer and Phoebe is doing it as a long time fan

[@meadowshorerecords8138]

This is really great.

[@vinceswaney6196]

This is such a fucking good version of this song. God damn

[@miker.9138]

My new favorite rendition of this song.

[@fidelisspies2916]

Ah, my new " on repeat " song

[@willr4217]

Get someone who looks at you the way Phoebe looks an nihilism

[@MikkelMelgaard]

This was really delightful!

[@somethinggood9267]

Yesss bring on the noise

[@yonkipop]

My birtdhay day, San Patrick day, wonderfull day with this show, i lowe you guays

[@lukekastelic]

god bless this

[@liampauul]

this is proof phoebe bridgers should be a rapper

[@mallulamounier]

heaven

[@andrewharris5528]

This song stopped me in my tracks. Beautiful.

[@finksinatra1575]

Perfect.

[@younggrasshoppa14]

Thumbs up for Phoebe yelling

[@DarthArtoo4]

Mmmm Griffin on drums is nice

[@TylerTylerTyler]

Phoebe needed Conor to give her the confidence to get into that last part

[@kungfujiujitsufliptrick4832]

did it all get real i guess its real enough

[@NewlandJ987]

Cool version of this song.

[@Username47948]

Really great. Love everything about this

[@gamja_girl]

this is the cause of my death goodbye everyone it's been good

[@jevinday]

36 THOUSAND views? Umm, hey world, all 8 fucking billion of you. My name is Devin and I found a song you should hear.

[@andrewhuffman7129]

This was so sick.

[@danmurnane7541]

So sick

[@Stoic9]

This was fucking beautiful... Thank you...

[@PeteBraginton]

Bad to the bone!👍

[@bfrankz3332]

DEEP

[@thesilviajosefina]

I wish I could stream this

[@skellvarnsen23]

symmetry

[@joshldyer]

I'm glad you took the scream out because most people didnt like it. I however enjoyed it.

[@aliocha23]

Connor's guitar doesn't look in standard tuning, anybody get an idea of which one?

[@camillaramstedt8051]

❤️

[@spiderchord]

Can anybody tell me how this snare drum tuned? I see duct tape on the top but I freaking want this sound!!! Have the same acrolite from 70s.

[@spottheturtle9568]

It's probably effected with fuzz.

[@wouldbang6928]

If you piss on the snare and let it sit for a week before cleaning it up it will sound like that

[@Overasc]

@@wouldbang6928 LMFAO

[@ivanl.8201]

If Emily (Retsas) is playing keys here, than who's playing the bass? Are they all collectively adding a note or two to the bass pool?

[@danc.732]

I'm thinking the guitar conor is playing is a baritone

[@Disco.Wizard]

So fucking good

[@Linkovich_Chomofski]

Griffin!

[@oManelJoao]

I know I'm biased cause this is my favorite song, but his broken voice actually sounds like it means something. When she sings, she's trying to emulate a feeling that's not hers, that could never be hers. This is one of those songs that can't be covered.

[@ginnygarske7473]

I agree. I know it's whatever - and don't get me wrong - I love BOCC and ANYTHING that Conor Oberst does - but when she's gleeful at the end saying "there's nothing, there's nothing" - I feel like she doesn't get it. I guess I've only thought of this song being about death and the only reason death would be easier - is if it was so hard living. And the only way that death would be lucky - is if living was shit - and the only way that death would be free - is if life had caged you. For me this song is about relief. Relief from a hard, shitty life you didn't want -or didn't want for someone that you loved. Which isn't necessarily "giddy" to me.

[@morganghetti]

This is an awful performance.

[@Ladiesman2417]

@@ginnygarske7473 i think of this song as a suicide note written by either the singer, writer or a character whose tired of living, by trying to keep up with societies expectations

[@CinematicGestures]

@@ginnygarske7473 I’ve lived with this song with that same interpretation since the day of its release. (I was already a huge Bright Eyes fan and was working in a record store [remember those?] then.) It’s on my “Funeral Mix.” It’s an explanation to those not in the know, to those better off and possibly left behind… a relief, as you put it, is acute. BUT in this performance, I feel like it’s a both a reflection from the artist ~15 years later - with likely many more deaths, and grief, and perhaps that longing for release having touched him since - as well as the perspective from a younger fan and now artist having had that same understanding and comfort, having this song be something formative to her… but her continuing, and now she’s here, and he’s here, and how strange is that… it’s not exactly celebratory but it is affirming for themselves as much as it is for those also still here. It’s a dirge for those passed sung by those who understand, and don’t weep. Conor wouldn’t have performed this song with her without knowing she might sing it like this. Eddie Vedder has said that “Alive” took on an inverse meaning of what he intended (more of a curse) because the fans made it so; now it’s something that has carried people through and is the show-stopper in concerts, when thousands of voices unite with his. All of this is to say that I hope you and others who come across this are well, and I hope this pandemic [!] ends and we can all meet and belt these words out together in concert.

[@batman-sr2px]

@@ginnygarske7473 it's very easy to tell

[@amberdawnterrell249]

wow.

[@xCousinCletusx]

Me likey songk

[@MrByrnzie]

Anyone know how conor is getting his guitar to sound like that?

[@brokenanalog]

I came to the comments for the same.

[@ryanricker1976]

No idea what the effects are but it’s a baritone guitar

[@ryanricker1976]

No idea what the effects are but it’s a baritone guitar

[@belac0911]

Oh fuck yeah!!

[@brandonleblanc8335]

anyone have any thoughts on the tuning of the male singers guitar for this one??

[@LozJBell]

Pretty sure it’s a baritone, so B-E-A-D-F#-B

[@elda7153]

>The male singer You mean conor?

[@Danny__Noble]

Eldrad Ulthran lol, right?

[@MarcusGlossin]

how did you know that a mirror is a reflection and that’s all it can be when we have cp??

[@coreyhudson9855]

Her voice is sooo textured

[@danc.732]

Jesus CHRIST what fuzz/distortion is Conor playing through on this?

[@indigoblondes]

Ha! I'm trying to figure that out for quite a while. It just sounds so destroyed, it's awesome. So 1) he's playing those mid-scooped lipstick pickups 2) I think I could spy a Strymon Riverside, ZVex Distrotron and a JHS Muffaletta on his board in another live performace 3) He's most likely also using a Deluxe Reverb. I can defintely hear those (green/sovtek) big muff characteristics (with the distortion rolled back) and I guess the Distrotron is helping in getting that super dry and direct guitar attack. Wanted to try a Distrotron myself after I discovered that. No idea about the Riverside though. And I have absolutely no idea how he's getting those strange harmonics towards the end of the performance. Almost sounds as if he's also using some sort of reverse reverb and/or something glitchy, though the glitchiness might come from big muff+distrotron interactions. Then he's pretty sure also using an El Capistan and holds it down to feedback at the end + a fair amount of reverb from the DR throughout. This is mostly guesswork, so I'm open for discussion! *Edit: + the Danelectro Baritone in presumably A standard

[@danc.732]

@@indigoblondes Damn, you just saved me hours, as I was an hour deep into looking through live clips of them trying to see what he's got on his board. What an absolutely crushing tone.

[@indigoblondes]

@@danc.732 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXW2gGCtlKarnbM *strymon sunset, not riverdrive. guess on his signal chain there: Tuner, ZVex Box of Rock, JHS Muffaletta, EQD Dispatch Master, Wren and Cuff Tall front Russian, S El Cap, S Sunset, S Orbit BoR instead of Distrotron but basically the same + the Orbit might get those mentioned harmonics

[@runawayspaceshipss]

Fuck this is so fucking good

[@octaviopedroza348]

Wow 😪

[@itsbayside6802]

i remember when i went to watch conor oberst and the mystic valley band and was waiting outside and seen this band park in front of me and i didnt know who they were but it was phoebe lol,just said whats up and then seen them open and i wa slike what the.

[@Disco.Wizard]

Fuck8ng awesome

[@danodocar]

1*

[@stewarttaggart7764]

Hi. I need someone, to second a motion to make this the New Anthem For The Whole Entire World. Or something, IDK.... good song though...

[@Koshirozation]

[@9Greyskies]

This song is far out.

[@amberrudisill7801]

this is beautiful, but i think connor oberst has a subtler impression of this song

[@shoppingforasummer3201]

Gotta go yall trainwrecktv

[@brandoesntsocialise]

Fuzzzzzzzzy

[@joeg19]

Manchester City Champions of England JG x