BON IVER + KANYE WEST, Finding Your Voice

Without Kanye West, Bon Iver might have never made 22, A Million. Here’s why.
The idea for this video came directly from one of my patrons, Andy! Support the channel on Patreon:
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Written, Voiced and Edited by Frank Furtado
#boniver #kanyewest #middle8
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Justin Vernon’s story is nearly a cliche by now. His band broke up, him and his girlfriend broke up and to top it off he got sick with mono before escaping to an isolated cabin in the winter. There a broken human poured himself into his music and crafted a critically-acclaimed, platinum-selling, emotionally-dense folk album. Then he proved it wasn’t a fluke with his Grammy winning follow up, Bon Iver, Bon Iver. But his third release is where we witnessed an unexpected shift - a reinvention. Complex called 22, A Million Bon Iver’s “most Kanye-sounding album yet.” Kanye West’s influence is definitely there - that is if you know what you’re looking for. And Vernon even takes it a step further. But what if I told you 22, A Million wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for Kanye West?
Vernon’s relationship with Kanye West began with the track “Woods.”
It features only Vernon’s vocals but they’re completely soaked in auto tune. Hip-hop’s favourite plug-in at that time.
It’s where Vernon was inspired to use the audio tool. The year before, Kanye released 808s and Heartbreak - where auto tune was heavily used. But unlike T-Pain, West’s use of the plug-in serves more purpose. The auto tune removes Kanye’s individuality from his vocals, helping to produce a hauntingly personal album. 808s focuses on themes of loss, feelings of alienation and self-reflection. Themes Vernon was well acquainted with.
(Canadian writer Stephen Marche viewed that West used "the shallow musical gimmickry of Auto-Tune, a program designed to eliminate individuality, and produced a hauntingly personal album.)
And on “Woods” Vernon was in isolation, still “down on his mind” distilling his feelings into song but obscuring the emotion with auto tune. The effect was something Vernon could hide his vulnerability in. Kanye liked “Woods” so much he featured it on his next album. “Lost In The World” On a track about feeling lost and searching for fulfillment. Again Vernon could relate.
Following his sophomore, Justin needed time to focus on his mental health and wanted to remove himself from the overwhelming attention the new album brought. So he fled to the Greek islands alone in search of himself. But he didn’t find what he was looking for in Greece. Believe it or not, it was Kanye’s words that helped remind Vernon to look after himself.
After hearing what he needed to, Vernon set forward to finish his next album. West recruited Vernon’s voice again for his album Yeezus before the two collaborated with Francis Starlite on the song “Friends." The track used a new voice effect created by Starlite, called the Prismizer. You can hear it’s first use on Chance The Rapper’s Colouring Book Mixtape. Using the Harmony Engine, the plug-in takes a lead vocal and splits it into multiple harmonies, like light through a prism. Francis created a beautiful electronic choir effect that could map vocals to a keyboard and manipulate it with the melody.
Already a fan of auto tune, Vernon wanted to adapt the Prismizer for 22, A Million. But the effect could only be applied after the vocals were recorded. So Vernon and his engineer Chris Messina got to work on creating something that could generate the effect in real time. The final product was the Messina. A combination of hardware and software capable of producing the Prismizer’s effect on the fly.
On 715 Creeks, Justin strips everything down to just his voice and The Messina. And it’s a testament to what Bon Iver does best on this album. And that’s celebrating the human voice.
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Disclaimer:
I do not own any of the videos or music used in this video. They are used for education and discussion purposes.

[@lautarozejan3935]

Kanye, Bon Iver, Francis & The Lights, James Blake, Frank Ocean, Chance. Musical geniuses infuencing one another. The human voice as the ultimate musical instrument.

[@shobithchadagapandeshwar9764]

Lautaro Zejan Id add Thom Yorke and Destroyer too , even Anohni. Even electronic music artists like Burial has completely changed the landscape of how the voice can be perceived

[@aR0ttenBANANA]

you mean Travis Scott.

[@aR0ttenBANANA]

Especially considering that Kanye's badn CRS with Pharrell and Lupe Fiasco was supposed to drop an album in 2010 with only samples from Radiohead and Thom Yorke's solo work, all with his approval.

[@txird4576]

Take off chance and ur right

[@AmazingTNT]

Jon Bellion.

[@danaandthewolf]

This video is everything. I went through a Kanye obsession and a Bon Iver obsession separately. When I found out they were associated my mind blew up.

[@edwarddawson4735]

Dana and the Wolf exactly the same!!!!

[@patrickrutkowski4989]

ME TOOO

[@jacobhaarala6744]

My bob Iver actually led to my Kanye obsession😂

[@harryjang3408]

Cool to see a Vero user here

[@born2dance181]

SAME

[@cordellcox4666]

I was blown away by 22, A million. I still get teary eyes every time i hear 715 Creeks.

[@captainpiefox9133]

22, a million quite literally changed my life

[@MayorBrownn]

Best album ever

[@ej1304]

Absolutely, I love all of Bon Iver's music and Kanye's. Just incredible artists

[@mintmosaic2145]

Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago changed my life and their first album got me through the darkest times of my life. Hauntingly Beautiful , Always.

[@mathewpepe3645]

me too bro. sickens me to see him associated with a loser like Kanye

[@drewcooke7]

@@mathewpepe3645 racism

[@lexilostinwonderland493]

Very beautiful breath taking album

[@Volksgeist]

WOW! good job.

[@showerheads]

lit

[@cognitio278]

The comment is at 69 likes. Please let it stay there. Let's collaborate for this cause people.

[@grezlythabear]

I love your videos

[@annahau8588]

BON IVER ¿¿¿ Bone-y-Vair ??? Shiiit, I've been pronouncing it bon-eye-vir > bon, as in bond or ron, eye, vir like fur, or vertical.

[@jobsmine]

I love Kanye West and his legacy even though am not fan of rap/hip-pop, he made me see the world in a better different way. As an Engineer I am forever thankful for Kanye. I always listen and study his works. And 808 & heartbreaks is for me his genius album. Even though all of his works are genius.

[@liamwells8622]

Wait till you hear his new album. Mind blown

[@lmeko9787]

you should get more into hip hop

[@tarrasque419]

As a sound engineer you HAVE to admire Yeezus, I still think it's his overall best album. Definitely right up there w/ 808's + MBDTFantasy.. For whatever reason the album I find myself re-listening to the most seems to be The Life of Pablo, though. IDK, I just love Kanye.

[@isaacjones1211]

are you still a fan now?

[@jobsmine]

@@isaacjones1211 yes always. I have faith in him.

[@dojaneko179]

Kanye's creativity on MBDTF and YEEZUS is on whole another level. (of course every single album is AMAZING), but these two album means so much to me. Technically, musically, emotionally.

[@MrSOAD10]

Mitchie Ocean my Kanye’s top 3 with 808’s

[@kevinlindgren95]

MBDTF took Kanye to a whole new level.

[@rjcardenas2299]

Me too, and 808s and heartbreak

[@kingofweedswood]

Another whole level*

[@lenenlawless]

TLOP is his best work, sonically and thematically

[@Ray-jg1bw]

It's pronounced "Bon Iver"?? I've been saying "Bon Iver" this whole time

[@GamingWMouse]

Nah you guys are still saying it wrong. It’s “Bon Iver”

[@benmurcy]

Yes

[@StayBlessed47]

@@GamingWMouse sounds more like "Bon Iver" to me.

[@lu881]

I had to Google how to pronounce it and did so.

[@emmaknoll7153]

Raymond Matthew it comes from “bon hiver” which means good winter in French !

[@Pedroapares]

22 million is a masterpiece. Very underrated

[@peterlukats937]

How'd you figure that? It was widely critically acclaimed!

[@fabolousninenine30]

How is it underrated ? It‘s critically acclaimed.

[@tuamigoyvecinolevi]

I wouldn't say "Underrated" but rather "Not talked about enough"

[@lesryglrhfohser]

funny his new album sounds very inspired by bon iver

[@neonlost]

seems like they just keep inspiring each other and I'm fine with that

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

I don’t hear that at all.

[@zachanderson242]

Bon Iver secludes himself in the cabin to record his album. Kanye recorded his latest album in Wyoming - one of the most isolated places in the country.

[@jbkrule]

Justin Vernon literally helped write one of the songs so you might want to listen closer

[@f.lashby8298]

Noah McDaniel Ye is Kanye's most vulnerable album. This is like 808s Part II combined with the craziness of TLOP.

[@shufflequest]

Love it. Can't wait to see what Kanye and Bon Iver do next.

[@user-sb8kq8dx6h]

This aged well

[@douglasgonzalez5412]

@@user-sb8kq8dx6h how so? Because of Kanye's public antics? They can still make music, y'know!

[@user-sb8kq8dx6h]

Douglas Gonzalez Exactly because of his public antics. Regardless of whether you do or don’t support his decisions, it’s was quite unexpected for him to appear in the Oval Office conversing about green energy. As for other things he’s done since his actions in the video, you can’t surely believe declaring “Slavery was a choice” was something that would be heard with praise? Of course they can still make music, but Kanye so often uses his life as an inspiration for his music. At what point will people disagree so much with the inspiration that they don’t want to hear the product. Im a firm Kanye Music fan.

[@andresleclerc8736]

Shuffle Quest Justin had a few production credits on Kids see ghost but yeah they always seem to work together.

[@musicman6555]

Sadly, Justin said he doesn't feel comfortable working with Kanye after those recent developments.

[@unwritten_zephyr]

Kanye West and Justin Vernon are two modern artists that have completely mastered the use, power, and versatility of the human voice. The fact we never got a full collab album from the two of them is so sad.

[@kevinlindgren95]

Lost in the world is one of my top 5 favorite Kanye songs.

[@abhirajranjan8070]

Whoopidy Scoop Whoop di scoop di poop. whoopidy scoop whoop poop.

[@Middle8]

That verse though

[@abhirajranjan8070]

IKR. On a side note though, could you please make a video list of your album collection and your favorite ones amongst them ? I'd also be pleased to see you review and promote new albums in an 'album of the week' like concept. Love your videos and these channels are my primary sources for new music. Please consider my suggestion, Good luck !

[@elias_xp95]

It's so deep

[@zafiruzoma6234]

i know people joke about it, but it's obviously deliberate and a critique

[@sudevsen]

Bonity iveroop

[@MassiniMonster]

22 A Million is my favorite album of all time. Saw it live at Coachella last year and it changed my life. Really something new for music

[@GameScoreFanfare]

You've done the impossible. You've made me appreciate 22, A Million. I'm gonna have to go back and listen to that album again. Also, your editing skills are quite frankly getting disgustingly good and clever. Stop being perfect please.

[@Middle8]

LOL thanks Mitto! And please do, it’s a great little collection of sounds.

[@Asad_Thomas]

You definitely should. I've listened to that album at least 10 times. It's actually really technical when you listen to everything.

[@grgehlen4718]

22 is brilliant. Once you get into it.

[@clareowen1560]

It's magic. Please give it another go.

[@TheWayofGrace89]

Game Score Fanfare Man, yes, go back and check it out again. From beginning to end 22, A Millions is now and was an instant classic. Right up there with Kid A from Radiohead.

[@CaesarEllish1]

Was having a conversation with a fellow engineer at chipotle just this afternoon about Vernon’s use of this “prism” effect and we were assimilating it to Francis’ and hypothesizing on how he does it. Then just 5 minutes ago this popped up randomly in my feed. Thank you so much. You’ve answered so many questions. I liked and subscribed because you have done nothing but earn my respect. Keep em coming!

[@Middle8]

That’s hilarious, glad I could help answer some of those questions. Welcome to the channel!

[@CaesarEllish1]

Middle 8 it’s all so crazy to me because I saw him last October in Asheville, NC, and his head engineer told me that the effect for “woods” and “creeks” is found on ableton. When I tried to pry a little more, he said, “I’m sorry man. I just can’t tell you.” Haha. So... not sure what if he accesses “the macina” through ableton as his daw vehicle of choice or what, but regardless is still funny to me.

[@razbuten]

I enjoyed this. I've always wanted to know more about the vocal effects Bon Iver uses (and how they changed from For Emma to 22), but I never took the step to research it myself, so this was useful. I always thought it was weird that these two started making music together as they are very different in style and (from a personality standpoint) bravado, but laying it out like this makes it clear that the way both have always made music-focusing on the voice-is where their common thread lies, and both have pushed each other to find more and more creative ways to utilize that approach. Cool stuff, man.

[@annidotzenrod358]

i love bon iver

[@DickMittens]

They both inspired each other. Justin Vernon(lead singer/composer in Bon Iver) did a lot of the things kanye does now, way before kanye did. Justin has like 5 bands that do a a bunch of different genres. Kanye West took a lot from Bon Iver and Justin's other band "volcanic chior"

[@eleven9286]

Volcanic Choir lolol

[@staigenerator2949]

volcano choir didnt exist before 808s

[@matteoferrari5821]

Thank you for posting this as Bon Iver is one of my favourite artists. Despite being a polarising album I love 22 a million and hearing the songs live is a whole other experience

[@MonieMuse]

Bon Iver is one of my favorite artist, he is so creative. I’ve also admire Kanye’s work, never knew the two worlds were connected.

[@Sloan_Alone]

This video was AMAZING!!! Thank you so much, I truly enjoyed it

[@tomflynn4720]

Middle 8 could be the best new music channel

[@RhythmGrizz]

Tommy Flynn LieLikesMusic is a good contender too.

[@GameScoreFanfare]

Tommy Flynn 9.3 BNM.

[@14AspenDrive]

It really is the best

[@nicolita222222]

And Deep Cuts and Alfo Media

[@terenceflynn5125]

Are you my Dad?

[@Kryptonic1997]

This! This is exactly the type of content im looking for. Beautiful!

[@gabrielle.s1896]

It’s rare that i am left speechless by a youtube video and staring at my screen for a minute just thinking. This is just a whole other level of quality, can’t wait to see what you do next x

[@shoutinglove]

This was eye opening and enlightening. Thank you for making this!

[@mitchhopkinson]

unbelievable video! 22, a million is probably my favourite album of all time

[@wisanga1902]

I love how in-depth your videos are!!

[@fahimebrahim4427]

You're videos bring back the goosebumps I get when I listen to the music for the first time, thank you so much for bringing me that feeling back.

[@Soulr]

Love your editing. Beautiful aesthetics as always

[@Middle8]

Thank you!

[@samsts7682]

A lot of “Woods” is also drenched in a vocoder. Not so much auto tune.

[@f.lashby8298]

Sam STS I love Woods. Such a great track. I think Blood Bank EP is Justin's best work. Those 4 tracks are so dense and heavy. Once you listen to it & close your eyes, you really think like you're alone in the middle of nowhere.

[@channelblue3246]

yeah i thought the same

[@emodro]

Woods doesn't have a vocoder on it whatsoever. It has justin singing through autotune with a looper.

[@AwesomeActivist]

yeah it's layers of autotune, seems like a vocoder but it's not.

[@oschea6735]

@@AwesomeActivist are you sure... cos this sounds exactly like every vocoder ive ever heard and there is a much more densely occuring sound which is more common with a vocoder because you can play the same note youre singing in multiple voices. also theres is alot less of the emphasis on consonants in words you usually hear with singing, and a big emphasis on vowels which is another very big give away of the use of a vocoder or talk box.

[@tonytey6784]

Yo man,enjoyed this,this was dope!

[@ThatGenericCanadian]

This album got me to go back and listen to Bon Iver's previous works with a new ear, and now he's one of my favourite artists. Great video!

[@pinkysquenky4286]

I love Emma Forever Ago but 22 million was amazing,especially the 2nd part of the album

[@live4491]

Agreed ... From 666 to 0000 A Million. Especially 8(circle)

[@LieLikesMusic]

Glued to the screen as always. Sometime, somewhere, someone is gonna make a videon on how Middle 8 inspired Lie Likes Music haha. Good to see the collab between you and Shuffle Quest already. Much love.

[@annika4684]

This was amazing...thank you!

[@mehzurilo]

i love how amazingly thorough your vídeos are!

[@GoldenKingedit]

so much more respect for this album thank you!

[@soaribb32]

I really like these kind of videos, I always take notes and perfect my ideas. It's very inspiring.

[@gabedepaul5407]

This is exactly the video I was looking for. Makes me love and so much more interested in the both of them

[@WillHaskell]

This video is so well made. Hats off.

[@austinavocadofr]

I feel like I should be paying to watch this video. Its so well done

[@bradsta114]

Definitely my new favourite channel

[@DanielBelloYourMexFriend]

Bon Iver and Kanye West simultaneously changed my life, both their work together and separately. I fucking love this video.

[@Middle8]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@chrimbus3442]

Thank you for this video, honestly. This album (22 a million) is extremely important to me and I feel you nailed what made it so amazing to me.

[@TheHeavyJetsBand]

Absolutely brilliant video 👌🏻

[@jordanneel7]

That was an incredible story and a beautiful video telling it.

[@allanportes7333]

Im from Brazil and your channel is awesome! Congrats bro

[@Middle8]

Thanks!

[@DoubleGT2]

Love those kinda video, thanks Middle 8 !!!!!!!

[@austinpeay1615]

Incredible video man, well done

[@BatterieTelepilot]

love this, thanks man

[@henrycurtis3652]

Your content never fails to impress. Easily one of my favorite channels. Glad to have been here from the beginning!

[@Middle8]

Thank you 🙏

[@joenicolette]

Excellent video, man. Thanks for the upload!

[@Middle8]

Thanks! And thanks for watching.

[@holleyoake123]

Really loved this, great video.

[@ucantseemeverywell]

Love the op-1 graphic, very neat

[@isabelaustin9719]

wow... just found your channel today and i'm obsessed....!!!!

[@Mrrandomstuff1997]

Hate to be that guy, but I just love Kanye for his sampling and those squeaky voice hits on Good Life is actually an MJ sample. That flip is insane.

[@HJules-cw6fb]

This is amazing dude

[@PlagueCatMk2]

This is probably going to be my first serious comment thanking a channel for their existence. I only found this video through some Bon Iver listening, and a vague memory on Kanye and Bon Iver working together. This video has brought me to a deeper understanding of both of their musical styles and an overall greater appreciation of music in general. Thank you, Middle 8.

[@frontlinebreakthrough5723]

This was so beautiful

[@miguelbeteta8808]

Bro! You gave me goosebumps! Great video!

[@Middle8]

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed!

[@alabrrmrbmmr]

Great production on your video, bud.

[@cinnamon9390]

This was awesome! I really enjoyed that. Subbed

[@chuck3575]

Loved this. Great work please keep it up. Should have been longer!

[@Middle8]

Thanks!

[@maxfouque1444]

Great great video man

[@jonooflaherty8446]

what an amazing video!

[@leodeluca7696]

Perfect example of two artists brining out the best in each other

[@unmatort]

Nice work on this analysis

[@jrb4533]

Your channel is awesome- keep broadening people's exposure and understanding of these artists and the skies the limit

[@Middle8]

Thank you, will do

[@malmcowy]

This was great! I'm writing my dissertation about how 808s & Heartbreak influenced other artists right now, so this was useful insight ;-)

[@tobybalderson4423]

Wow, quality of this content is amazing. Keep it up man 👍

[@benjaminbeboux3255]

I have been frantically watching this video over and over.. this is truly amazing work. at 3:55, that saxophone is the stuff of dreams and I'm still looking for what song it's from

[@clairemcdaniel3242]

Very interesting. Thank you

[@roiel7511]

Dude, fantastic work!

[@Middle8]

Thanks!

[@paulmccharmley8570]

the editing is CRAZYYY man

[@jackishere9262]

Amazing video. I knew the two had worked together, but this video was perfectly in depth. Found out a bunch of new stuff I didn't know before, so thank you. Keep up the good work.

[@Middle8]

Thanks

[@mydigitallog2652]

22, a million is probably my favorite album of all time.

[@RayNashar]

Wow. Thank you so much. I think this video might just be my favourite thing in the internet. You’ve shed a light on an historical experience in the evolution of music. I knew I loved the music. But I didn’t realise it was this big.

[@kalgrandy2101]

I didn't know anything about Bon Iver other than his music. This video just compounds it and makes it even more full of art than before. Love the title, finding your voice, and great video length too.

[@Middle8]

Thanks for watching! Is there another music story you think deserves more attention? Tell me in the comments below.

[@vincentmichaud3394]

Dan Auerbach

[@jakeunderwood9]

If you wanna stay in the Justin Vernon rabbit hole you should talk about his, and The National's Aaron Dessner, music festival Eaux Claires. It's in Justin's hometown of Eau Claire, WI. He premiered his last album there in a live performance. This year is it's fourth year of existence and they aren't going to officially announce the lineup. It's a wonderful wonderful experience, I've been going since the beginning, and it more people should know about it.

[@arkanoid376970]

Thee Oh Sees/Oh Sees/OCS

[@revaariane4675]

Middle 8 Lucy Rose please

[@revaariane4675]

Middle 8 the last album of The Black Keys!

[@hamletfisherman5740]

This video is just great

[@poolbwoy6585]

i love these videos

[@cucumbrane]

WOW. this explains why Bon Iver is my most favoritest-estest artist in the world. Thank you for this. I'm inspired to create with this new information

[@ASMR-pg2uy]

Can you do a video on Sufjan Stevens?

[@147andymc]

But, no.

[@noahinson]

Sufjan is the beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeest 🎸🎸🎸

[@DasCartoonLand]

would be great

[@oof-rr5nf]

Yes please!

[@eclecticsoulfire]

I guess we love the same types 😂

[@peopleeeeeee]

Love it!!

[@AlexPGSV]

keep these vids comin

[@lsouza123]

Amazing video my friend!

[@gabriel_moulin]

Haha, loved the subtle pitch shifting in your voice as well

[@Vegetable2121]

This is my favorite video ever

[@GerardoFrancisco]

Amazing video, glad it popped up on my feed!

[@Middle8]

Thanks for watching

[@moneyatslander]

This is a great summary. I was hesitant coming in, being a BIG fan of BI and 22, A Million especially, but this is spot on.

[@Ardnightian]

Great video. Ive really enjoyed your videos in the past, but usually they’re just summarizations of a bands history. You’ve really nailed it this time by going after a more specific topic. Keep up the good work.

[@Middle8]

Thanks! And yeah I'm definitely trying to move away from the band summary thing when I can.

[@Ardnightian]

Middle 8 great to hear. I think a great topic idea could be one on Danger Mouse and how much he influences the style of artists he works with.

[@matguerra333]

well researched. Well done

[@Ambussing]

Justin's "For Emma, Forever ago" was my first love is the world of music, everything he releases is a new way for me to listen to music especially "22, A Million" that is a true masterpiece

[@kristoferwall5488]

fantastic work * gentle clapping *

[@evvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv]

I've been lucky enough to see both Kanye and Bon Iver live on the Saint Pablo and 22, A Million tours in Edmonton... I can honestly say that although they perform a very different kind of music from each other, they make you feel THE SAME emotion. Its an out of body experience. Both incredible artists.

[@hamletfisherman5740]

Great video man ! Keep it up ^-^

[@tomevans1388]

Dude this needs to be way bigger than just this KZbin channel. Your work is amazing and needs to be documented via an online magazine style platform! So much appreciation for this man!

[@Middle8]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed!

[@jackcorcoran7056]

this is so cool