 In October 2008 the band released the "Gentlemen's Pact" EP (again, billed as a solo effort from Oberst), which was available in limited quantities and sold only at shows.On November 11, 2008, Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band appeared on the Late Night Show with Conan O'Brien and performed a then-unreleased song, "Nikorette", which would later appear on their second album.Upon completing their touring schedule in late November 2008, the Mystic Valley Band spent time at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas.