Conor Oberst recorded his Self Titled LP in Tepoztlán, México during the months of January and February 2008. Tepoztlán is a place known for Aztec Magic and Extra-Terrestrial Sightings, a temporary studio was created in a mountain villa called Valle Místico at the outskirts of town. The record was produced by Conor Oberst with much help from Engineer and long time associate Andy LeMaster. A band was assembled for the recording; they later became the Mystic Valley Band. It was there at Valle Místico that Conor and the band lived and worked for that time in near perfect harmony, often unaware of the hour or the day. The result is his first solo album in thirteen years, following “Water” (1993), “Here’s To Special Treatment” (1994) and “Soundtrack To My Movie” (1995). In that time he has recorded and preformed in many bands and musical projects including Commander Venus, Park Ave., Desaparecidos, and most notably Bright Eyes, his main musical vehicle for the past decade.
After touring the US and Europe in support of “Conor Oberst”, Conor and the Mystic Valley Band found that they had written an albums worth of music at sound check, on the bus, and in hotel rooms. Phone calls were made, studio time was booked, and they found themselves in a pecan orchard outside of El Paso, TX, preparing to record another record. “Outer South” was the result and is a truly collaborative record. Conor Oberst, Jason Boesel, Nik Freitas, and Taylor Hollingsworth all contributed tracks to this album while Macey Taylor and Nathaniel Walcott played bass and keys, respectively. Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band remain friends and collaborators.