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There are many amazing writers, photographers, and critics who’ve created work to cover Justin Vernon and the Bon Iver phenomenon over the last few years. It’s especially active right now, as just this week the second full-length release from Bon Iver hit the streets. Tens of thousands of words have been written about what quite literally has become the man, the myth, the legend. And while all this national press is a relatively new thing, this will mark the fifth time Volume One has interviewed Mr. Vernon in our 180 issues across nine years. All the worldwide buzz is of course a different scenario than the local musicians we usually cover. We don’t often have to follow articles in Rolling Stone, Spin, the New York Times and dozens of other international publications. But we do know we have a resource available to us that all of those publications do not – you. The people of this community have a unique perspective, and many of you have been following Justin’s career much longer than the millions of new fans around the world. To all of us, Justin and the rest of the local guys in the band are just normal people. We see them playing jazz at Shanghai Bistro, we see them walking their dogs through the neighborhoods, and we see them out at bars enjoying the company of friends. So with the wisdom of locals in mind, we decided to crowdsource the interview  – we handed the reigns over to readers and asked you to write the questions. Dozens of them came in through VolumeOne.org, Facebook, and Twitter. We simply gathered them up and posed them to Justin. He speaks of his past and present in Eau Claire, the role of an artist in his hometown, and, of course, the possibility of a local Bon Iver show. Visit VolumeOne.org for a few more answers not printed here, and of course stay tuned in the coming months for that possible announcment of a hometown gig. – Nick Meyer, Publisher, Volume One

What advantages or disadvantages do you feel growing up in the Chippewa Valley were provided for you as an artist? – allisonleigh

The advantage and disadvantage are kind of the same. You’re ‘brutally’ disadvantaged because there is the ‘whole world’ out there, and you are advantaged by the fact that your whole world can be right here. For me, as an example, I believed so hard in this place that I stopped believing in myself and had to move to North Carolina for a fresh start. So there is a balance. You have to be a strong entity as one person – to help make stronger fabric of a larger community.

What do you think contributes to the musical talent in the Chippewa Valley as compared to other places similar in size? – thomfountain

This is the easiest answer: education. Dennis Luginbill, Bruce Herring, Steve Wells, Bob Baca. These and other educators dedicate their lives to enriching kids and young professionals with music. That’s why our talent grows here. Because there is a general feeling like it’s OK for music to be your religion. What you study in your sleep.

Can you just confirm the title of the album? I’m pretty sure it’s Bon Iver, Bon Iver by Bon Iver, but who can say for sure? And also, why did you name it the way you did? – Eric Christenson

Title of the album: Bon Iver, Bon Iver. That’s all I’ll say.

 

Bon Iver, Bon Iver is available on CD and
vinyl at The Local Store (17 S. Barstow
Street). The first 75 copies sold have
their choice between two free posters,
including the Volume One-designed,
Bon Iver-approved Eau Claire poster,
“Built on Rivers,” shown here. The album
is also available on vinyl at Revival
Records on Barstow Street.

How has your view of the Chippewa Valley changed after traveling all over the world? – andrew

I see what it lacks more. I see a ‘no awning law’ as the biggest little thing wrong. I see Sysco food trucks. I see decisions that could be different decisions. I’d like to see John Mogensen make slightly different decisions here and there, but I’d also like to see more John Mogensens! He is motivated; he is rogue; he makes things happen; he makes some of our prettiest places. But we need like eight more people – or like 80 more people – that are that motivated to start doing things for this community. It’s why I can’t leave. Why I came back and have stayed, I guess. I believe that Eau Claire is such an opportunity. It represents ‘middle’ America in every way, and I want to think that isn’t a lost thing.

Do you still plan on moving forward with Chigliak [a proposed label imprint to re-release vintage local and other favorite records of Vernon]? If so, when could we expect to see an Amateur Love vinyl? – Zachary O.

Oh yes! I really hope by winter or spring. You’ll be hearing about it. There will be cool bonus material, songs never released, videos. But mostly that fantastic album on wax. As a whole.

I’ve heard a rumor that the track Towers is a nod to the infamous UWEC dorm. Confirm/Deny? – Daniel Bock

OH yes.

I loved every song on your DeYarmond Edison album Silent Signs. Will we ever hear any of those songs again, or are they gone with the band? – Jeff

The band might not be as gone as you think. But yeah, I think those songs are probably gone. Man, have you heard Dead Anchor? I hate that song! No, I don’t hate any of those songs, but there isn’t a lineage that I feel connected to there.

You’ve worked with a variety of genres so far in your career. What style would you really like to work with more? – andrew

Gospel.

Even though the first try didn’t work out, are you still considering moving forward with a venue in Eau Claire? – Jessi T.

Yes. I just don’t have the time to spearhead it. Can like 15 of us please meet once a month at Racy’s and start a board of directors for this project? Volume One, set it up! I will be there. I can help.

Does the ever-growing story/legend behind your first record ever get annoying to hear or be asked about? – thomfountain

YES!

There was some debate previously on VolumeOne.org about what responsibility, if any, a highly successful artist like yourself has to the community he came from (and still resides in). Having honed a lot of your chops in the clubs of Eau Claire, how do you see your relationship with this community now? What should and shouldn’t be expected of an artist in your position and why? – Jake

People who expect things from artists in general aren’t living for themselves. That being said, artists can be totally selfish and make stupid decisions based on evading those expectations. I don’t know. For me, I feel like I am an ambassador for this place everywhere I go. What more should/could I do? Play here every weekend? Bon Iver has grown to be my most busy project, and it has a traveling crew of 16 people. We aren’t a weekend band now. The Shouting Matches, however, we’ve played six shows in Eau Claire in the last four years. Considering how busy I am, I feel pretty awesome about that. I love Eau Claire very deeply. If anyone thinks there is something else I should be doing, you should come up to me and tell me. I’d love any advice!

Justin, if there were one regret you’ve had since rising to fame with Bon Iver, what would it be and what would you have done differently? – miss dee-lovely

I have literally no regrets. I can’t think of anything! Wee!!

Are you at all concerned or afraid that people here are treating you differently, or will treat you differently now that you’re successful and hanging out with famous people? Either avoiding you because they’re intimidated, or feel like they don’t want to waste your time, or the opposite – trying to get a piece of the fame for themselves, or maybe just awkward, because they’re weirded out by the fame factor and just don’t know how to act, and maybe they’ve become a little starstruck? Because, I bet if I saw you on the street, I’d be, like, all of those things. – Kristen Berger

Great questions. I’m not afraid of anyone, no. I don’t really think about it. You start thinking about it, then you’re actually famous. I just don’t really care. Is it weird to go up to someone you don’t know and talk to them? I think so. But have I done it? YES! I think it’s really cool, mostly, that I can just be a person in this community and not really feel extra special or anything. I like going to The Joynt and Racy’s. I feel like a person there.

As long as you are releasing the new Bon Iver album, how about releasing the Shouting Matches album you made with Brian Moen? Barring that, I would accept a personal serenade of House Call. – April Solberg

It will be out. Some day. I promise. With a new record with original member Phil Cook, too.

If you could have one meal from a local restaurant delivered to you daily on tour, what would it be? – thomfountain

Pad See Ew from Pad Thai, or The Merger from The Nuke.

What other local musicians are a part of Bon Iver and what role do they play in the project? – rick

For musicians, there’s Mikey and Sean [Noyce and Carey]. They’ve both been with us since the start. Mikey plays guitar and Sean plays drums. They both sing.  Mikey was a guitar student of mine way back when. We made him drop out of college to play with us. Sean is originally from Lake Geneva, WI, but went to school here in Eau Claire. Sean was the first official member of Bon Iver, besides me. Sean and Mikey both work on music outside of the band as well.  Sean’s got S. Carey. Check out his record if you haven’t already – pick it up at the Local Store or Revival. And he plays tons of jazz gigs when we’re not touring.  Mikey plays in Gayngs and has done some solo stuff here and there over the years. Other local people involved in this project who aren’t musicians but play roles that are just as important include my brother Nate; he’s in Minneapolis now, but grew up in Eau Claire with me and helped get our studio started here. Nate’s been co-managing the band since last summer and has been our tour manager in the US for the past three years. Our other manager, Kyle Frenette is a local dude too. He grew up in Chippewa.  Kyle’s been with me since the start. He also runs Amble Down Records [featuring local acts like Daredevil Christopher Wright, Gentle Guest, Meridene, etc] and then there’s Brian Joseph, who’s not really local, but we consider him so now. He is our front of house engineer and production manager. He just signed a lease downtown, so he’s here now for good…or at least a year! Hopefully there’s more to follow in his footsteps!  Brian also engineered the new record with me.

You’re a big Northern Exposure fan, right? Which character did you most associate with and did you cry during that last montage with Iris Dement’s Our Town? – Paul Knoff

Did I cry?! I immediately shaved my head and beard and wept for hours after watching that episode. I’m dead serious. I mostly wished I could be Chris in the Morning. Dream life.

What was your favorite memory working with Kanye West? – digger

There were so many. I can’t choose! It was like hip-hop summer camp. It was awesome and fun as hell.

Besides the people who you’ve already worked with, would you like to collaborate with?
– Amanda H.

Bonnie Raitt. Tom Waits.

I have two questions: what’s your five desert island discs and what book(s) are you currently reading? – Amy Glaser

I don’t read books and I only have one desert album disc: John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together. What other disc could help you deal with the notion of death better in that situation!?

You didn’t publicly announce a homecoming show at The State Theatre because you’re waiting for the opportune moment to surprise us with a multi-day Bon Iver Extravaganza ... right?! – Garrett

I’ll show you an extravaganza! No ... yeah we want our show in Eau Claire to feel special and to not do something that feels lazy and that feels like an appropriately thought out thing, that gives back to the place that holds us. We have members from all over North America now, and we have semi’s worth of gear to figure out, and it’s hard to schedule things and know when a good time is. But when it happens, my goal is to play for as many people in town who want to see us play as possible. If that means Country Jam grounds, or multiple nights somewhere, that’s what we’ll do.

EXCLUSIVE (WEB-ONLY) INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ...

 

Bon Iver, Bon Iver cover art by Gregory Euclide

Are we going to be hearing any more new covers of songs you used to cover back in the day? – Jennie

I feel like we should record those and put them out someday. Sure!

There are many, many people who stayed up late to see you perform on Jimmy Fallon, including fans around the world who watched online. Does this freak you out or are you at peace with all the wonderful feedback you're still getting over your music? P.S Love your part in Hadestown. – cinders23

It just feels like I am extremely lucky to have music be my job. It’s overwhelming. Every day.

Do you think it's harder to be taken seriously as a musician from a smaller town? Or do you think you have to move to a big city to get more recognition? – LaurynAnna

Recognition is silly to think about. I think you just have to be really good at something and people will notice.

What non-Eau Claire musician that you've met would fit in best in the Chippewa Valley? – thomfountain

I’d have to say Sharon Van Etten. Move here!

Do you have a word for all the Bon I-haters out there? – Gregg Lyrist

There are some?!

How does it feel when you come back to Eau Claire from being on tour/appearances? Surreal at all? – Amanda H.

Nope. Just good.

How’s about a Bon Iver take on Black Pirate? – Greg Gilbertson

No chance, Greg!!

What other artists inspire you?  – Amanda H.

All of them.

What is your favorite piece of gear for both studio and live performances? Which of your guitars is the most special ... why? – MTK

My favorite piece of gear is this 50s Sony C37 microphone for recording. It’s the BEST.

Question 1: Did you hear the interview where Miley Cyrus cited you as one of her favorite artists? Question 2: Are you Ok with this? – Jacki B

Why not!??! Great!

Who is the most unexpected person you have collaborated on music with? – KellyJo Wright

Kathleen Edwards

What do you think about the possibility of performing with a 65-piece orchestra here? – Mark Blaskey

Great idea. Go?!

What was the best part of working with Kanye for MBDTF in Hawaii? Worst? How awesome/big/crazy is Rick Ross in real life and did you get a chance to meet Pusha T? – Adam Bechard

Pusha is super nice. Ross is literally the boss. He just has a giant, true-to-character, real life presence.

Any chance you and Kathleen Edwards might do a concert together around here? – Rob Reid

At some point, it will happen. Soon, actually.