Soundboard

The Falsetto that Moved Tectonic Plates

Ted Waldbillig |

We’ve all been hearing about Bon Iver since forever ago, but trust me when I say he’s one of the hardest working men in show business. Through Pitchfork early last month, Justin Vernon announced his side project Volcano Choir: a collaboration with fellow Wisconsinites Collections of Colonies of Bees. The band has actually been together (living more or less within the bounds of civilization, as Vernon always has) for around three years, retrofitting them as a super group.

Volcano Choir is scheduled for a debut LP, Unmap, on label Jagjaguwar September 22. Vernon described the band as more experimental than Bon Iver, which is expected; Collections of Colonies of Bees are almost purely instrumental. As a result, Vernon’s singing will fall into the overall mix a bit more. Still, it’s not far enough left field to induce shouting matches with Jagjaguwar.