Bon Iver

Justin Vernon, Bon Iver's central figure (joined on these bills by The Wheel), is a Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter who first gained widespread attention for last year's For Emma, Forever Ago, a cathartic recording laid down during a three-month stay in a remote cabin following the collapse of a romantic relationship and...

By Michael Roberts

July 9, 2009

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Justin Vernon, Bon Iver's central figure (joined on these bills by The Wheel), is a Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter who first gained widespread attention for last year's For Emma, Forever Ago, a cathartic recording laid down during a three-month stay in a remote cabin following the collapse of a romantic relationship and a bout with mono. Don't know how related these incidents were, but there's no denying the emotional impact of cuts such as "Blindsided," whose random images — "The moon is a cold light...My feet melt the snow" — combine to form a picture like dabs of color from a pointillist's brush. This year's Blood Bank, a four-song EP, has a few more upbeat moments, comparatively speaking: In the title cut, Vernon scores a kiss from a woman whose admirable qualities include honor and nice cheeks. But overall, he remains a melancholic — albeit one capable of transforming his unhappiness into a fragile form of art.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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