Bon Iver

In the winter of 2006, Justin Vernon, a 25-year-old struggling indie
musician, retreated to his dads remote log cabin in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to repair his broken heart.
While there he wrote nine songs, which became the album 'For Emma, Forever Ago'. This month it was voted the Observer Music Monthly's Album of the Year for 2008.
To read the full article go to: www.guardian.co.uk/music
Produced by POLITE COMPANY for the Observer Music Monthly.

[@srslyscarlet]

he spent three months in bed sick writing this and i've spent three years in bed listening.

[@Proth7]

Years go by... I think it's over 7 years now. It's good to be back sometimes.

[@fabiohenriques5298]

@@Proth7 same here

[@kimberlee8567]

I love this comment

[@signejorgenson]

I took a lot of classes with Justin Vernon in college. We were both religious studies majors, which meant we had classes together every semester since it was such a small program. I had no idea that he was a musician, though. What a surprise -- and how odd that you can spend so much time in another person's presence without ever knowing a damn thing about him.

[@thisBLUEsweater]

I know it's been 8 years since you posted this comment. But can you please elaborate on the type of person that Justin was in college?

[@Makxbi]

I second that

[@joml2466]

10 years and still waiting

[@adriaan3685]

11 years and sill waiting

[@signejorgenson7122]

I mean...I didn't know him well. We had classes together, but it's not like we hung out. He was smart and insightful. He asked a lot of questions, too.

[@ikeman2006]

dont worry this guy's gonna blow the charts.

[@paulotapasa2822]

He has

[@iktajbhinder219]

Wow

[@JackArctic]

well that aged well

[@zackzallie8735]

collaborated with kanye and Taylor, won Grammys, and hit No. 1 charts. Like damn.

[@luminiscencia3798]

Yeah, yes, he did it.

[@pfffr]

this album has a very special place in my heart

[@Fuzigish8]

I love that he's deep and emotional yet still comes across so normal. There's too many cliches and stereotypes in music and the world these days so it's so good to see someone so genuine.

[@daniellebuttafuoco3016]

"to be up there, amongst it, and . . . injected into it . . . and to be still amongst it, was really the meditation that kind of spun the record . . . the record is . . . about going through that, and trying to . . . the word I always use is excavate it, like dig it out and see what it is and . . . get it to the oxygen where it can burn away and leave, and . . . it was really incredible because it really did go away." -Justin Vernon...Some brilliant and poetic quotes there.

[@daniellebuttafuoco3016]

@@lukefeistamel Ahaha I just saw this for the first time-- probably. We had to change my phone number when I was a kid because we received so many prank calls :D

[@freyamuldoon5220]

So crazy how his regular voice is so low yet when he sings he goes so high, it’s almost angelic and the lyrics are the most gorgeous thing.

[@RoyaWeidman]

There are no words for how much respect I have for this man.

[@gabrielfigueroa8591]

I've seen this a million times, & I keep coming back.

[@patricksampsonmusic]

Literally might be my 20th watch! Great video!

[@jeffgorrie]

Same.

[@blind.man.1]

22, a million

[@plica06]

He's a cool fucker. Old head on young shoulders. And you wouldn't think he'd have such a deep voice!

[@nickrandles1102]

I was in an inpatient rehab for alcoholism, top tier of severity, couldn’t leave or have many personal possessions. They told me I could bring in three things for the time I was there. I brought in an old Discman, a CD of For Emma and headphones. This album literally saved my life.

When I was in rehab, also in a super strict one. Basically no belongings but a couple of changes of clothes. Once, they let us add 2 songs into a playlist they’d play on Sundays and I remember choosing Re:stacks and the wolves

[@spikehowarth7152]

What a beautifully melancholic anecdote. Fitting for the album! Hope you are still doing well xx

[@rickiex]

his voice is so fuking haunting. its like literally reaches into my soul and explains my emotions.

[@wolfcreekboys7353]

That record has such an amazing sound

[@arcadian3090]

Justin's creativity is so inspiring. Hearing him in a live setting, in a studio with both high and low production value throughout the years really shows how versatile of an artist he truly is. He's truly a stand out in the modern age of music and I think one of our generations best to offer. I think what describes his music best is that it's very human.

[@ModestMousekateer]

I bet his band is rather pissed off that they aren't with him right now. This guy is divine.

[@lydiaburton1905]

i physically cant watch this video without crying just a little- just one strum of that creaky guitar just reaches into my heart and stirs something up that isnt easily moved

[@Proth7]

Welcome to the club. Its been over 10 years already

[@anikabharwani]

i so relate

[@ChrisTopheRaz]

I can’t tell you how much that record changed my life when it was first released. To this day it’s still moves me in so many ways

[@RansomGangsterBox245]

At 3:50 do you know what song he is singing ?

[@ChrisTopheRaz]

@@RansomGangsterBox245 Yes, it’s called Flume. It’s the first track of the album called “For Emma Forever Ago.” Great song and cool story about how and why he wrote it.

[@billymisfits]

his speaking voice is soo deep!

[@thewritething]

my god, everything he says/writes is so well put together.

[@willdraper1141]

the first love is so beautiful. I know how you feel Justin

[@simeco92]

he sings with so much passion and emotions, looks like he could cry in every song, it's just so beautiful :) he is a real artist, not someone who writes music to be famous, just because he wants to express himself, a true genious!

[@JamboMikey]

Man, he seems like a nice guy.

[@alyssahogan3247]

What a special guitar, made magic

[@flaminreds505]

I love him so much

[@SamA-nj7yr]

I have watched this interview like 30 times

[@andrewcruz1931]

My favorite album of all time . I can feel the icy cold fresh forest air . The heartache ...beautiful, amazing album. Extremely special , I wish I could tell him how important the album is to me .

[@alantracy6757]

He clearly loves open tunings - but not normal ones altered open tunings that make your head hurt, a brilliant musician who reminds me of Joni Mitchell

[@uri674]

I hope they both found their way back to each other

[@W4LT3Rego]

What a gem of a man

[@DinosaurJr8]

Absolutely wonderful

[@Prophecy23JC]

Thank you for this. And, my God is that beautiful.

[@steigs89]

this man really gets me every-time.....

[@mariisen]

His music is just amazing! It just brings up all kinds of emotions in you.

[@flaminreds505]

I always come back to this such a gentle soul

[@kennethgaron9427]

I love justin vernon so much

[@jefffarr9402]

wow. he has such a beautiful voice its amazing ! keep make great music!

[@forreelzson]

This man is my hero.

[@ceetee110]

Look at that monitor! This video really captures the vibe of that time. Thank you for posting this!!

[@indianmountains]

I have been watching this religiously for about a year now. perfect.

[@L.Ayad16]

So inspirational! His music is beautiful. Often times people create the most beautiful songs from experiencing the most awful pain.

[@vezget]

Justin, I love you. You make me proud to be from Wisconsin.

[@akaenteng2895]

Bon Iver! You are such an inspiration to my songs!

[@DylanJBarrington]

Legend of music

[@jintymcginty1469]

I've discovered this band only last week and already they are quite literally my favourite band.

[@plica06]

I'm really glad I found this, I can learn from Justin himself how to play Flume on my guitar!

[@bugsfrito]

And this is the best album

[@NikDonaghy23]

i love him, his voice, the way that he can play an average guitar and voice it so musically. And....i like how his hair fits his lifestyle :)

[@hippofight]

The amazing thing to me is you can know this about him just by listening to the album. You know he means it. After about two or three listens I had tears rolling down, just barely starting to pick up on the lyrics, and I could just feel what he was feeling when he wrote this. Amazing shit...I'm a cynical bastard when it comes to music, but this is real as it gets. Thank you, man. You made me like music again.

[@ob1knobdc]

that was absolutely amazing. your music is beautifully hypnotizing to me and i love it.

[@Lilly5739]

Eau Claire is my hometown...next time I'm home from college I want to know where this inspirational cabin is! I need some of that inspiration and hope for myself!

[@LAmenorsostenida]

Me encanta él. Me encanta su música. Me encanta la profundidad y meditación a la que invita su sencillez. No dejo de emocionarme cada vez que le escucho.

[@halpcat133]

beautiful

[@garrethdavis]

He is such an inspiration to me

[@evalynnrobertson136]

This album is everything to me

[@kevinpolley5633]

I feel you

[@RyiRyiRawr]

This man is perfect!

[@thewritething]

i love that guitar he has.

[@rednotebookread]

Beautiful

[@trinika99]

Seeing him in August! A six hour drive for me. Soo worth it :)

[@willdraper1141]

Me too Justin, me too.

[@omgitsvcg]

i cry every time @ 3:34 without question. never heard i voice that could do that to me. never stop making music justin :'}

[@owesleyfbi]

Amazing! Uma historia assim nao se pode ignorar. Temos um musico com coraçao.

[@BassJam77]

wow amazing video how come only 1200 views? wow this guy is amazing and been listening to his music for quiet some time now, great to know his roots and inspirations for "For Emma, Forever ago" ... Bon Iver is amazing.

[@shevshomevideos]

What a stud.

[@aliner007]

schönste stimme der welt

[@elleomae]

so good.

[@user34rL]

Seeing him in october. i cannot wait.

[@edithwallflower]

How was it?

[@Williamlow23]

amazing person!

[@gondwanaman9362]

inspiring

[@help_me_rhonda]

I thought what made this song on the record was the double-tracked and harmonized vocals, and the overall production values. well rthis video proves me wrong - one man alone and his guitar can make this sound - and i love it all the more for it.

[@killercara]

Man, I had to adjust the bass in my sub woofer because the window rattled when he spoke. Love the music!

[@jambelloley]

awesome, awesome, awesome.

[@Pooklette]

Concise response, kudos. As I understand it the album that came out last year is a retooled and remastered version of the initial release making it new and elligible for all the best of year polls that it rightfully slayed.

[@GoldenDaffsterDuck]

sweet guitar, nice start. good music too

[@Vita1892]

Sorry, but this needs to be let out: He's so hot. I mean really, is it even necessary for him to be so beautiful when he's the most talented musician the world has ever given us?

[@lokosdanveros]

Vita1892 dude I know. i think I also find him so attractive because of his music, ya know? he is a hansome though

[@zackzallie8735]

Many people said that indie folk musicians are freakin' hot lol

[@ceetee110]

If he didn't write music you wouldn't take a second glance if you saw him out, and you know it.

[@MayhemJack]

I always thought that he kinda looked like what Marshall Eriksen would have looked like if he never met Lily or became a lawyer.

[@lovewontchange]

i'm with steigs89 on this one... so much adoration for his music and his soul.

[@katemley]

"Learn how to say Bon Iver. Or Bonnie Bear will kill you." BEST. COMMERCIAL. EVER.

[@sontvondo9648]

If only I could just hold that guitar

[@luv3mimi]

his voice is Awesome! i'd never heard of him before I saw an episode of Chuck and I was like WOW! Who is that?

[@deathchips926]

@signejorgenson I envy you dearly. There are so few LP's that I can listen to without having to hit the "skip" button for the next track. "Emma" is one of those albums. It's stunningly beautiful and haunting--with lyrics so piercing--you have to convince yourself this man is a mere mortal like you and I.

[@saviofouly]

O maior!

[@maydiremay7]

yeah!

[@makisogroove]

yes

[@loveiverwashereasherself4803]

3:44 Hey beautiful hands on my guy Seriously Bon Iver you seem beyond perfect and I can’t not say that to you

[@ramses_is_numba_one]

hes uses the sad F chord alot, god i love that chord i tripped across this guy from the New moon soundtrack, now...that was a dumbfucking movie, but the fact that it led me to this dude makes it worth it

[@jasonthefates7311]

Dig! You can come hang out in Durham though right? 😇 I know this is old but such a true story for most with the blues subtract the liver & pneumoniae. Funny how girls have that effect. Well probably all induced by heart breaker but takes 2 & what more and super rad you own that shit and overcame. H8 to say it, but I'm glad you and her met. God always has a plan and now the years have passed I would think it should be easy for anyone to see it like that. Blessings in disguise if you will. -Jason

[@felipeson]

forever greatful for that ebay lady

[@jerdbenjamin]

Camp Celtic thx biggie

[@Jamesfrancosdog]

And in looking into this subject further, i believe the only difference with the 2008 release is the cover and the face that it is on a label.

[@Jamesfrancosdog]

No. Justin Vernon self released it in 2007. Then he was signed, and the album was re-released.

[@JCinxcess]

@trinika99 i'm seeing him july 28th in atlanta :P so pumped

[@symfernus]

@monsieurgrunt i'm fairly certain it's a silvertone... can't tell much about it from the video alone but it might be an archtop. i don't think they sell for much anymore.

[@Jamesfrancosdog]

This album came out in 2007..

[@MrDwightSchrute]

I wonder how early this was filmed... 2008, maybe?

[@Jamesfrancosdog]

I like to keep things short. I suppose it is a technicality really. I will agree however, that it did indeed rightfully slay the best of polls.

[@jesterariola2864]

Was the microphone used to record the album used for this video?? Coz damn the quality sounds as good as For Emma, Forever ago

[@SamCoscia]

Does anyone have the link to the kind of acoustic guitar he uses?

[@BrandonSimmsAllDay]

i believe its a 1960s silvertone

[@ianhastie2542]

Sam Coscia the one he uses on skinny love is called a resonator. Sorta like a steel guitar. Just google it and they'll pop up.

[@StevenRecknagelMusic]

he uses a resonator alot acoutic with metal not just wood

[@shanedabor9855]

it's a Silvertone S1348 from 1949

[@cameroooon89]

that's usin' yer noodle.

[@Pooklette]

Are you missing a year? It came out last year, the year before 2009, thus 2008.

[@spinasweetness]

@rjaafar dude i hope you've looked up his other stuff.. he's absolutely phenomenal

[@meboshengelia]

where i can find this gutar? please say model name who knows