Bon Iver
Jul 18, 2011
Bon Iver (pron: "bon e-vair") is a band founded in 2007 by American indie folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The band also includes Michael Noyce, Sean Carey and Matthew McCaughan.
Vernon released Bon Iver's debut album, "For Emma, Forever Ago" independently in July 2007and it has since been at the top of many critics lists and is approaching 400,000 units in sales. Several tracks from that album were also used in film and TV. Vernon has also been involved in some outside projects - when he is not holed-up in his cabin in rural Wisconsin -- with Kayne West and Land of Talk, among others. He also appeared on the John Prine tribute in 2010 and contributed a track to the AIDS benefit album "Dark Was the Night." There is also a rumored collaboration with Neil Young in the works.
The band's self-titled sophomore effort is now out in Jagjaguwar and, once again, is getting rave reviews, impressive airplay support and is selling quite well! The album was recorded in a remodeled veterinarian clinic in Fall Creek, WI, which was bought by Vernon and his brother in 2008. It was converted into April Base Studios.
In addition to the band, Vernon also invited other players to get involved including saxophonist Colin Stetson and pedal-steel guitarist Greg Leisz, among others.
"I brought in a lot of people to change my voice - not my singing voice, but my role as the author of this band, this project," said Vernon of the process. "I built the record myself, but I allowed those other people to come in and change the scene."
The album features unique arrangements, haunting melodies and ethereal vocals. Interestingly, most of the songs on the album are named after cities or towns. In addition to the focus track "Calgary," other tracks getting interest include "Minnesota, WI," "Holocene," "Towers," "Wash." and "Beth/Rest."
The artwork for the album was painted by the American artist Gregory Euclide. BTW, the band name comes from a French term "bon jiver," which means "good writer."
Bon Iver's North American tour starts this week. They head off to Europe in the fall:
- 7/22-23 Riverside Theater, Milwaukee
- 7/24 The Chicago Theatre, Chicago
- 7/25 Murat Theatre, Indianapolis
- 7/27 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
- 7/28 Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta
- 7/29 Raleigh Amphitheatre, Raleigh, NC
- 7/30 The National, Richmond
- 8/1-2 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
- 8/03 Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PA
- 8/05 House of Blues, Boston
- 8/06 Mountain Park, Holyoke, MA
- 8/08 SoundAcademy, Toronto
- 8/09 United Palace Theatre, New York
- 8/10 Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn, NY
- 9/6-7 Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis,
- 9/08 Stir Cove, Council Bluffs, IA
- 9/09 Uptown Theater, Kansas City
- 9/11 The Pageant, St. Louis
- 9/12 Winspear Opera House, Dallas
- 9/13 The Long Center, Austin
- 9/15 Comerica Theatre, Phoenix
- 9/16 Spreckels Theatre, San Diego
- 9/19 Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
- 9/22 Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA
- 9/24 Edgefield Amphitheater, Troutdale, OR
- 9/26 The Paramount Theatre, Seattle
For more visit www.boniver.org.
