by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Remember when appearances by Bright Eyes or Conor Oberst on late night chat shows was a “big deal”? I still remember his TV debut in the form of Bright Eyes on Late Night with David Letterman way back in June 2003. That was an event. It was the first time a Saddle Creek artist — or any local artist from that era (except maybe Mannheim) — made it onto a national broadcast.

These days Conor performances on late night shows, like last night’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, are an afterthought, a “Hey, look, Conor’s on TV again” experience. But it’s still a gas. Here his is doing “Zigzagging Toward the Light,” from his latest release, Upside Down Mountain.

And here’s his network television debut from 2003. Get a load of Letterman joshing with Paul about the Lifted record album (“This is the way music used to be”). And get a load of those bangs.

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Speaking of golden era Saddle Creek bands, The Faint yesterday announced a two-night stand at The Waiting Room Sunday, Dec. 28, and Monday, Dec. 29. Opening acts have yet to be announced. The $20 tickets go on sale Friday morning at 10.

It’s going to be a big holiday season for shows, what with The Faint, Ritual Device/Cellophane Ceiling, The Good Life/Big Harp and Neva Dinova all playing in Omaha in late December.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.