Colloquium explores indie rocker’s lyrics

Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana student Allison Johnson will present a University Honors Program Colloquium on indie rocker Conor Oberst at noon today in University Center 217.

“Death, Duality and Deconstruction: The Lively Lyrics of Conor Oberst” focuses on Oberst’s lyrics in two songs, “Easy/Lucky/Free” and “At the Bottom of Everything.”

“In 2005, emo music, having emerged from the alternative music scene, had an incredibly large following despite few unique songs. Most songs revolved around a type of pessimistic counter-culture that longed for death and all things emotionally charged and macabre,” Johnson said in a presentation summary.

“In these dark and depressing days of mainstream music, singer/songwriter Conor Oberst and his band Bright Eyes were deepening the discussion by deconstructing an extremely popular song topic—death. Oberst’s lyrics propose an interesting list of positives in death and creates a folksy, happy tone despite the topic.”

University Honors Colloquia provide a way for University Honors students and faculty to present research. The program also brings outside speakers to campus.

The public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Dr. Craig Nakashian at Craig. Nakashian@tamut.edu.