Volume One calendar editor/Local Store clerk Tyler Griggs and new friend/Bon Iver superfan Shuhei Fujita. Shuhei traveled all the way from the Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan for Bon Iver’s two homecoming shows at Zorn Arena.

Shuhei Fujita is an eminent Bon Iver Superfan.

When Shuhei came in to the Local Store (part of the Volume One offices in downtown Eau Claire) and began asking about music he might like in the light of Bon Iver, I first mentioned Justin Vernon's side projects, Volcano Choir and Gayngs.

Nope. He's got 'em all. OK let's try Megafaun, the "freak folk" band featuring members of Justin's old group DeYarmond Edison. Nope, he's got all their CDs too. Then I asked him if he was an international student. After a third negation, Shuhei told me he is from Japan, and flew in to Eau Claire to see Bon Iver for the Monday and Tuesday night shows.

It was three hours before the Tuesday night show, not even a day before he flies back to the Kanagawa Prefecture (in the greater Tokyo area), and yet Shuhei has managed to find The Local Store.

"Bon Iver is the best band that I have listened to," Shuhei told me, "The new album is the one I listened to the most in my life. I think he has the greatest voice."

He thought the Monday night show was great, and that the crowd was packed together real tight.

Before we sent him packing to Zorn Arena, Shuhei said was impressed by how big the Chippewa Valley music scene was, as represented at the Local Store. I gave him a "musical tour" of local folk and indie rock bands he might like. Liking The Daredevil Christopher Wright the best, he left with their CD, an I Heart EC tee, more local swag, and copies of the Dec. 8 issue featuring our interview with Justin Vernon. To, you know, show off to all of his friends.

He had to get going to the show so we couldn't talk for long, but I thought this chance encounter to talk with an extraordinarily passionate international fan of Bon Iver was a pretty cool deal.