Monsters of Folk Band Together for Tour

Posted on Jul 23rd 2009 2:45PM by Benjy Eisen
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This fall, indie powerhouse Monsters of Folk -- featuring Conor Oberst, Jim James, M. Ward and Mike Mogis -- are taking their show on the road and, hopefully, to a city near you. The project originally began in 2004 when the foursome hit the road for a swing of shows that presented the songwriters sharing songs and stories with each other as well as with the audience.

Apart from the music, the instant appeal of the Monsters of Folk is the obvious star power: Oberst and Mogis hail from Bright Eyes, James fronts My Morning Jacket and Ward duets with Zooey Deschanel in She and Him while maintaining successful solo career. The three singers are used to calling all the shots, all the time, and all four contributes their own songs to the group.

"It was fascinating getting to watch the other Monsters at work and see how the insides of their worlds and brains worked," Jim James tells Spinner. "It gave me a clearer perspective on my own brain, highlighting things I did that I was proud of, and also things I saw where I needed to pay more attention and work harder on."

We assume he's talking about writing and recording the band's self-titled debut album -- due September 22 -- and not, say, housework. But James, who also just released a solo tribute to George Harrison, said making this record taught him some other important things as well. "I realized the beauty and individuality of each project, and how it is important to try and do a lot of different stuff," he says. "It makes you reflect on what you have in a clearer light. It really made me value the cohesion and friendship we get to share in MMJ."

There's really nothing to read between the lines there, so faithful My Morning Jacket fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The Monsters tour kicks off October 13 in Vancouver and snakes across America until landing in Philadelphia on November 12. A tour of Europe follows.