Pitchfork

With the big presidential hopeful nail-biter known as the Iowa caucus about to pop off tomorrow, those vying for the Democratic party ticket have made the Hawkeye State into a second home in recent weeks in an attempt to rally voters.

At least one of them, Barack Obama, brought along a secret weapon: Dreamboat indie rocker Conor Oberst, of Bright Eyes fame, warmed up the Obamacolytes during a rally last night (January 1) in Council Bluffs, Iowa-- a mere hop, skip, and jump away from Oberst's native Omaha, Nebraska. (The event, by ironic coincidence, took place at the Iowa School for the Deaf.)

According to a New York Observer report, Oberst played a few tunes and addressed those gathered by saying, "I met the next president of the United States earlier today." The Observer also noted the enthusiasm of "the younger Iowans in attendance." Let's hope these youngsters are old enough to vote!

Oberst joins previously mentioned music-world Obama-backers such as Jeff Tweedy and the Cool Kids. More like Ba-rock Obama, amirite? Thanks to reader Michael Giuliano for the tip.

No stranger to politicking, Oberst's Bright Eyes previously partook of the politically-motivated Vote for a Change tour back in 2004, as you may recall.

Young Conor kept particularly busy over the holidays, also introducing fans to heaps of new material at a pair of previously mentioned, intimate club shows at Minneapolis' 400 Bar where he was billed under his given name. According to a Star Tribune report, Oberst was joined at the shows by a five-piece band that included previous collaborators Nik Freitas (guitar) and Rilo Kiley's Jason Boesel (drums). Rumored guest M. Ward, however, never materialized.