10 years with Bon Iver
Our favorite musicians and artists come into our lives at the time when we seem to need them the most. When Wisconsinite Justin Vernon, known for his band Bon Iver, came onto the music scene it was exactly what my younger self needed. As a fan of folk indie music, he satisfied the singer/songwriter genre with acoustic guitars and distinct and layered vocals. As an artist with subsequent albums he expanded his creativity and style and stepped into new genres.
Humorously, Justin Timberlake even helped to bring Bon Iver more into the popular spotlight with his impersonation on Saturday Night Live. Bon Iver stepped out of the indie world and into the homes of America. As a fan, I laughed along and knew that I would now share my love for this band with the masses. Even though Bon Iver was coming onto the scene, Justin Vernon’s vocals are an acquired taste. His iconic falsetto-shaped tone of music would push musical boundaries, but that didn’t mean it appealed to everyone. To this day, my wife can tell a Bon Iver on my playlist by the sound of the vocal tone and her hatred of that sound. As much as I have tried to convince her over the years, it just isn’t for her. But for me, there is something in my soul that Bon Iver helped me to discover that if I took the time, I would find it.
Already being a fan, I waited desperately for the September 2016 release of the next album, 22, A Million. With its ten-year anniversary album being released on November 20, 2026 I wanted to share 10 truths Bon Iver helped me learn over the past 10 years.
Stuck and Unstuck
I was a different person 10 years ago. I was sitting in the Dunkin Donuts with my earbuds connected ready to listen to the album. At that time, I was writing and deleting, starting new threads only for them to turn up empty for me. I had what many would refer to as writer’s block or the writer’s knot. I was all tangled up on the page and in my soul. Then, a strange song called “Creeks” untied me, or knocked down that block. The echoing ethereal tone of his voice perked my interest and ears immediately. There wasn’t any musical accompaniment, just his robotic sounding voice. I struggled to understand the words and they invited me to listen deeply. The solitary nature of a voice enhanced the text to be something so much more. There was no meter, no rhythm, it just was simply there. It changed something in me. That night, I wrote more than I had the previous month. Think about who you were 10 years ago. I bet you were different back then too. Don’t worry, it will happen for you. Sometimes in life when we are stuck, we also have moments when we get unstuck. Trust what happens.
Complex Mystery
22, A Million took an unconventional turn for Bon Iver. They added instruments and technology that was either brand new or rarely used on albums. The “Messina”, a custom hardware and software vocal processor was invented and named after the producer on the album. Justin Vernon continued his complex lyrics that made you strain in listening to try and even understand what he was saying. Add robotic sounds and some clanging complex instruments and it creates an unsettled reflection. Life is like that too. Change is hard. People can suck and be great all at the same time. But what these new sounds and experiences will invite you to do is to take a step into the unknown. Sometimes we are indeed too safe or we crave certainty. Life is a mystery. There are more things that I don’t know that I know now, then 10 years ago when I thought I knew what I knew. I can’t give you the prescription or easy steps to live. Anyone who does probably is swelling you or hasn’t experienced the complexity of life. Life is going to be strange with its highs and lows, and the more we can take some time to remember that and listen to its oddness, the more we will come to appreciate it.
Familiar Simplicity
If the whole album of 22, A Million was weird robotic and vocal processed sounds, I would probably get annoyed and not make it through the whole listening process. At just the right time when my anxieties were raised on where this artist was taking me, the music shifted to what made me fall in love with the band in the first place. There was something familiar in the soothing piano and synth of the song 8 (circle) that reminded me of previous albums. I was back in my contented place,I could breathe again. Life can be like that too. We have our comfy clothes, traditions, and special go to books, movies, or music that make us feel safe intertwined with our new technology and complex lives. While I want to invite you into the mystery, remember to be grateful of the familiar too. It will remind you of who you are, or as he says, “I’ll keep in a cave, your comfort and all. Unburdened and becoming.”
Sometimes, only a F*** will do
Bon Iver isn’t known for cursing, however, when the “F” word is dropped, it fits. I used to think that cursing or off color language was simplistic or for those who cannot capture a better descriptive word for the person or situation. However, the past 10 years have taught me that “F***” is probably one of the best descriptive words we can use. Life is F*** and can only be described as such. I am not saying that you should see everything as F***, but, when it calls for it, don’t be afraid to use it. I wish that life wasn’t going to be this way for you. I wish that your life would be all sunshine and rainbows. The past 10 years have taught me though, sometimes, only a F*** will do.
Samples: Using other’s voices
Each person has a voice. While Justin Verdon’s voice is unique and can stand on its own, his message is enhanced as he incorporates the voices of others with his. Some of the samples and other voices in this album bring to light the key themes he is wanting to address. Some diverse inclusions of the likes of Mahalia Jackson, The Toys, The Supreme Jubilees and others, help to tell his story. In a world where we are trying to stand out or make ourselves unique in our brand or personality, don’t be afraid to sample. Listen to others. When you listen, you will see how they say it and how they help what you want to say. In a world of other people’s voices telling you who you should be, make sure to listen. We can know who we are often by connecting with others. We might even sample them.
Don’t “Like” your Future away
If you would have told me 10 years ago what I know now, I wouldn’t have believed you. The future is scary, but it isn’t as scary as we live in the moment of it. So, I am listening to the whole album straight through as I am writing this. As I looked at the app playing the album, I noticed that I liked certain songs. These would then become the songs that would be featured more on random listening. In some ways, I think we get it wrong with this. I started to pre-filter what my preferences would be through the next 10 years. Justin Vernon, and other artists create albums or larger stories and we “like” them into pieces here and there. We may miss the larger meaning because of our preferences at that moment. So throughout the next 10 years this algorithm would return me to the same songs. Whatever you feel in the moment is for this moment. But be mindful and be open to what might be your favorite in the future. Don’t “like” it away.
Old souls and old pianos
Let’s face it, I am old. At least, this is what my teenage children tell me. What this album (and artist) accomplishes though is that while you can include futuristic technology, samples, and differing instrumentation, some of the best art is still made with a person singing along to an old piano. With all of the technology at his disposal, Justin Vernon intentionally chose to play an old piano. If you listen closely you can tell that it is a little out of tune, most likely for a reason. Life is a lot like that. You may not be perfectly in tune today either. Learn to embrace your mistakes, and don’t be afraid to stay with what works, even if it isn’t perfect. The next thing can be great, but don’t lose that which endures over time.
Make your own art
If you have never heard of Bon Iver, perhaps you have heard of Justin Vernon, who I reference above. Justin is the lead singer or if not solo artist under the name Bon Iver. He has an incredible band behind him, but they can be fluid from album to album, tour to tour. My guess is that you may recognize his name because of his partnership with another artist, Taylor Swift. I assume you have heard of her. Bon Iver is Bon Iver. Justin is Justin. Taylor is Taylor. Life is about you making your own art. In the end, you need to be yourself. Don’t stress about whether or not you will be noticed, or feel the temptation to change how you are in order to find mass appeal. Make your own art. Other artists will notice it. You don’t need to make their art, just yours. Yet, from time to time, your art and their art will come together in great collaborations.
Love, loss, and gain
Bon Iver is putting together a tenth anniversary celebration album. This is most likely a re-release with some bonus content or potentially varying versions of the songs on the album. This is starting to become a thing with artists who have some longevity and a fan base to support the work. The themes of love, loss, and gain in this album are as real today as they were then. And in some ways, it is right to adjust or re-release some parts of our art. Along the years we all have loved, lost, and gained. You don’t need to reflect on 10 years, these things can seem to happen in a day. But with time, it gives you perspective and an opportunity to do something new or try something again. Life’s lessons are not always found in the future, they will be in remembering the past. Maybe you should re-release some of your old hits as well.
Let it in, it might be over soon.
The end is our beginning, the beginning points to the end. The same is true for this album. If you listen to it on loop it is then that you realize that in life, we echo the words of Bon Iver where at the beginning, “it might be over soon.” So “let it in”. Let all of life, all of what I just shared about briefly be a part of who you are. While I recommend listening to the album, you don’t have to be a fan of the music to see that life is a lot like _____, too.
