According to an item posted Tuesday on Pitchfork, it is likely that prince of sadness/future husband of mine Conor Oberst is forming a new band with M Ward. This info comes from a few lines that appeared towards the bottom of a music news roundup in The Omaha City Weekly.

Though neither camp has yet confirmed the collaboration, it makes logical sense considering the pair's frequently documented musical canoodling:

(via Pitchfork)

Furthermore, sayeth the Fork, Oberst has scheduled some "solo" shows this coming December, in which he will discard the Bright Eyes moniker for the first time in years, appearing simply under his Christian name:

(via the Star Tribune).

Does "different backing band" mean "M Ward supergroup"? Many signs point to yes, and I am inclined to agree.

What does this mean for Bright Eyes? With so many great bands falling victim to the "indefinite hiatus" as of late, fans might worry another one of their all-time favs is going the way of Sleater-Kinney, a strange turn of events, especially considering how flexible the band has been over the years. While most bands identify very strongly as a group, with the switching of members being rather notable, Bright Eyes has remained fluid in its membership. As the only fixed member, Oberst could play with different musicians as his tastes and projects evolved. I guess M Ward is too big a name to merely be one of Oberst's band members (a distinction most musicians would probably kill for). Or maybe it's something out of left field...maybe the King of Bedhead wants to do something entirely different, emo-folk-rock be damned. A trance-pop/monster-core/faux-Japanese eighties prog-metal cover band, perhaps? And for this he must form a completely new unit with that virtuosic master of metal...M Ward? In your dreams! (Ok, maybe just in my twisted, sexy dreams.)

In any case, it will be interesting to see what these two lovebirds make together. You will now watch this video and try not to get too butthurt at Conor for cheating on trusty ol' Bright Eyes with that flashy young "alterna-folk" heathen.