Kira Roessler Discusses Bright Eyes, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn

Bassist, songwriter, music producer and film dialogue editor Kira Roessler (Black Flag, dos, solo) introduces Al to Bright Eyes’ 2005 album Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Kira talks about why this album has been one of her favorites for the last 10 years and explains why she admires Conor Oberst’s musicianship and songwriting in general. She delves into her favorite tracks on the album and explores why Oberst’s highly vulnerable performances are a central reason for why she revisits Digital Ash frequently. Kira also talks about her second and latest solo album Enigma and how her songwriting process shaped the album’s sound.

If you want to hear Kira’s album Enigma in its entirety before it gets released on July 10, register for her Bandcamp listening party, which will take place on Tuesday, July 7 at 6pm ET. You can RSVP at kiraroessler.bandcamp.com.

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@kira_bassplayer on Instagram

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1:10 Kira’s introduction

2:13 Kira reveals how she first became aware of Bright Eyes

3:08 Kira explains why Digital Ash resonates with her

4:57 Al and Kira share their responses to Oberst’s vocal style

7:50 Oberst’s openness and vulnerability is part of the appeal for Kira

10:31 Al identifies the point where his experience with Digital Ash started to change

12:48 Kira and Al responded differently to “Hit the Switch”

16:01 Kira appreciates Conor’s songwriting and album-making craft

18:47 Coping with addiction is an important theme of Digital Ash

22:02 Kira and Al talk about the one anthemic track on Digital Ash

28:34 Al and Kira make note of the album’s loop-like nature

30:24 Kira addresses a few tracks towards the end of the album

34:27 Kira and Al talk about the Bright Eyes discography

37:32 Kira explains why she recently saw Bright Eyes perform Digital Ash and I’m Wide Awake, despite her dislike of nostalgia

39:57 Kira gives some examples of artists she can get nostalgic about

41:02 Kira talks about her cover of “Drinking and Driving”

43:17 Kira discusses the title track and album closer for Enigma

45:16 Kira explains how she created the spacious sound on Enigma

49:45 Kira talks about her recent singles and upcoming plans

Outro music is from “You Will Feel My Pain” by Kira Roessler.