bon iver

several friends and readers have emailed us recently with raves after having caught bon iver on tour. listen to the songs below and you'll know why. for emma, forever ago impressed straightaway, though it was hearing justin vernon play those songs live that cemented the album's place among our favorites of the year.

this first song comes from a solo appearance on the jools holland show. as much as we like the sweet falsetto that opens the song - and it is lovely - it's that amazing, visceral ending that gets us most.

bon iver - skinny love (live)


and here's a cover of a song by sarah siskind vernon played to close shows on the leg of his tour with the bowerbirds. it's an audience recording, and so the audio's less than perfect, but it's still worth a listen. (thanks to kelli for providing the original.)

bon iver w/ the bowerbirds - lovin's for fools (live)

sarah siskind - lovin's for fools


bon iver returns to san francisco later this month as part of the outside lands festival. as if you need more reason to attend.

also, if you haven't already, head over to daytrotter and download all four bon iver songs, like pronto.