“To me, a political song is also a personal song. Most political activism has been driven by empathy for other people and the desire for a world that's less divisive. Even if songs aren't overtly political, they can make a listener more empathetic.”

American singer-songwriter

Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work with Bright Eyes. He has also performed in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, the Faint, Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Monsters of Folk, and Better Oblivion Community Center. Oberst was named Rolling Stone magazine's Best Songwriter of 2008. His work is associated with songwriting across a range of indie and collaborative projects, rather than a single group alone.