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BAND OF THE MONTH: BON IVER


Two years in and if you don’t know I suck at writing, then you’re not paying much attention. Which is why I hate do to it, but I will not try and make any of this my own. The information on Mays band comes completely from Wikipedia. Again, I’m sorry, but I am just awful with words.

The month of May belongs to Bon Iver.

Founded in 2007 by American indie folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The band now also consists of Michael Noyce, Sean Carey, and Matthew McCaughan. The name, Bon Iver, is a play on the French "bon hiver" (good winter). Vernon independently released Bon Iver's debut album, “For Emma, Forever Ago” in July 2007, the majority of which was recorded while spending three months in a remote cabin in Northwestern Wisconson.

Since being released by Jagjaguwar on February 19, 2008, “For Emma, Forever Ago” has garnered critical acclaim. The album was released in the UK and Europe in May 2008. When released in the UK, “For Emma, Forever Ago” received 5/5 and "Album of the Month" reviews in both MOJO and Uncut magazines. It was the seventh highest rated album of 2008 on review-aggregator site Metacritic. Pitchfork Media gave the album 29th place in its "The Top 200 Albums of 2000s" list.

Justin Vernon is joined live by Sean Carey (drums, vocals, piano), Michael Noyce (vocals, baritone guitar, guitar) and Matthew McCaughan (bass, drums, vocals).

Bon Iver came into my life early last year because of one of my favorite shows – One Tree Hill. The first song I heard was ‘Skinny Love’…and well, I fell in love with it. I immediately got “For Emma, Forever Ago” in it’s entirety and found every song to be exactly what I needed. The beautiful simplicity of every song is incredible. Nothing is overdone nor is it neglected. This is one album I can honestly listen to from beginning to end and as the last song dies, I look forward to hearing the whole thing over again.

I strongly, strongly recommend listening to Bon Iver. “For Emma, Forever Ago,” is an unbelievable album and not one track has the ability to disappoint. Personally my favorite Bon Iver songs are ‘Skinny Love’ and ‘Re: Stacks.’ There is just something about those songs.

Also, because I found this and because I am a sucker for this kind of stuff, I sorta maybe got a tear in me eye. Don’t judge! Just watch, listen and see why it’s so hard not to love Bon Iver.





Bon Iver was a group I had heard about a while ago, but really had never stopped to check out for some reason. Cut to a few years later, our dear friend Jen sent me a link so the song Re: Stacks and I fell madly and desperately in love with Bon Iver. They are just one of those bands that is just good for your soul. Anytime I feel sad or lonely Bon Iver is who I turn to, and it's like they reach inside and give your heart a big hug.

I highly recommend checking out Bon Iver (my favourite time to listen to them is late late at night when everyone else is alseep). Personal thanks to Jen for introducing me properly to Bon Iver, they are just what my soul needed.



Over the past couple of weeks, I have been in a bit of a calm/relaxing-music-funk, if you will; During which I had been reduced to a bit of a musical handicap. Anything rough or loud was nearly intolerable, often resulting in painful headaches when proper listening efforts were not put in.

It was during this span of time that I most began to appreciate Jen's choice to introduce us to Bon Iver; whose existence I was oblivious to until she did so.

Thank you, Jen! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Bon Iver's vocals have something haunting about them, often remaining in your head, long after the song is over. Then, with the soft mixture of acoustic instruments and sounds, their music is transformed into something even more beautiful than before. Bon Iver's music is similar to that of which I often find myself falling asleep to, and not in a bad way. There is just something calming about it, some kind of presence that is so incredibly soothing, I personally cant help but slowly drift into sleep.

If you chose to give these guys a shot, be sure to take the time and fully listen to both "Skinny Love", and "Re: Stacks". Both are particularly fantastic, and deserve your fullest attention.



New month, new band. I had never heard of Bon Iver before Jen presented them as this month's BoTM. I had no idea what to expect when I opened up their Myspace page, and boy, was I blown away.

Bon Iver reminds me of a Midwestern version of Guster: same jam band qualities that I love from Guster, but slower, with a bit more of a stripped down sound. From their Myspace offerings I love "Blood Bank" and "skinny love." These songs just make me relax and unwind. And the harmonies in "The Wolves Act I and II" are amazing. I haven't heard such harmonies outside of an a capella group.

Bon Iver is one of the few bands that I will recommend to everyone I know, because I believe that they will all enjoy their music. That is a rare quality to have in a band, but Bon Iver has it. Since Bon Iver has made me worship at their musical feet, please go check out the links below. Sadly, they are not on tour right now, but when they do tour, I will be first in line to get tickets, and you should be too.



Here we are in the month of May. Spring has come upon us and we are all in for a fresh start. This month Jen has picked someone whom I have heard about numerous times but to be honest never really took the time to sit down and listen (seems like my life lately, no time to turn around or sit down, but anyway). I figure I would take this moment to sit down and listen to what Bon Iver was all about. Bare with me if I ramble from time to time, please and thank you.

My first impression was one of extreme amazement to be honest. The first song I listened to was Blood Bank and I have to say that I sat there just feeling completely and utterly at ease. I felt this feeling come over me that relaxed me and kept me wanting more and more and more. My music tastes are sometimes completely different then all the other girls on the site, which is probably a good thing, especially for moments like this when we get to sit down and write about a band that we've never heard of before and get introduced to something that blows us away.

These four guys hailing from Wisconsin are extremely and utterly talented and have an amazing way with some words and an acoustic guitar. I think this is the music that I will listen to when I just need to mellow out and relax. I think you all should take the time and check out all the links below. You will not in anyway be dissapointed. I have to say that Skiny Love and Blood Bank are two songs that I am going to make sure are on my IPod, now what about you?



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