Band of the Week: Bon Iver

[November 10 - 17]

Bon Iver
Sounds Like: Folk
Drinking Buddies: Okkervil River, Great Lake Swimmers, Shearwater.

Synopsis: Whispers from the good winters.

Makes You Want To...: Escape; Introspect; Leave the city
[Myspace]

One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Bon Iver.


The grand return! After a few weeks without the internet, and without a computer - which explains the lack of Bands of the Week and the somewhat odd timing on updating of entries - I can humbly say that I'm glad to be back (beware motherboards that have the random potential to send themselves into extinction). Since I've last been on a decent computer in the privacy of my own home, we've had a presidential election, plenty of assorted celebration and confusion due to that, and an economic stimulus in China. Yes, yes, the world is moving steadily, ever so quickly along. The world isn't slowing down for anyone, and as we all jog through the race of life, you may quickly learn that if you can't stay with the pack (socially, anyway), well, don't feel too bad if you're not the next Bill Gates.

But stop, stop, stop, stop, stop! Sometimes you just have to yell to the world, "STOP!" Sometimes you have to stop symbolically running and socially moving. Sometimes you must, dare I say, escape from the rat race. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, meditating, painting, or listening to your favourite LP on vinyl, it's healthy to sometimes disconnect you from the difficulties of the world that surround us and reach a formal catharsis in our lives.

This is a similar tale - one you may have heard before. You may have heard it from a distant cottage in the middle of nowhere in Northwestern Wisconsin. You may have heard it, a collections of songs For Emma, Forever Ago, bouncing quietly, plaintively, humbly off the walls of your domicile. Bon Iver knows the story; been there, done that, and written down, Justin Vernon has captured this quintessential hiatus in verse for those who recognize, those who sympathize, and can be characterized by.

Bon Iver - lead by Justin Vernon - is from Wisconsin. The legend goes, he and his band DeYarmond Edison left their small town Wisconsin town to Raleigh, North Carolina. Then, the band broke up, as well as Justin with his girlfriend. Dealing with trouble, Justin retreated to his father's cabin in Wisconsin. And in tis hiatus from the rest of the world, Bon Iver was born.

Now, I'm sure that as Mr. Vernon reads around all these reviews about him, he might not exactly like to hear other people - complete strangers to him - talk about his life with such inaccuracy and indiscretion that it's almost silly how flippant the retelling is. But the reason I shoddily account this tale is because the tale makes the music. As you listen to the distant, eerily barren, yet vibrantly crisp tones, you hear the story of Bon Iver being told. Not by word, not in thorough detail, but figuratively, poetically, the history that spawned these songs is weaved like an Ottoman quilt, with unprecedented detail and unbelievable passion. Folk music is supposed to be the song of the people. Justin Vernon is a person; Bon Iver is a group of people; this is music by the people, for the people; this is music that you can hear when you're far enough from city skylines and autovehicles to notice.

For Emma, Forever Ago. Bon Iver tells some beautiful tales on their beautiful record, released back at the beginning of the year. Since it's release, it has received unprecedented critical acclaim all across the boards. At present, Bon Iver is preparing for an upcoming tour through the United Kingdom, followed by a traipse through the States, and an Australian tour in the new year. You can catch him on the Black Cab Sessions, or La Blogotheque in his extended Les Concerts À Emporter session (one and two), or on Daytrotter! And of course, there is his Myspace.

An escape is not always negative, and a hiatus is sometimes an important step. And now that mine is over, I come back with a strengthened perspective and renewed vigour. Have a wonderful week, reader.