Spoiler alert: When My Old Kentucky Blog's Top Albums of the Year list comes out in a couple days, Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago will like be at or near the top. No other album/artist moved me as much as this one did. Yeah, it's reserved...not flashy or as hipsterific as Burial or Panda Bear...but the songwriting is wonderful and it's the kind of album that will hold up over time. He's recently signed with Jagjaguwar Records and the album will be given a proper release in 2008. (We were talking about him back in June, so we reserve the right to put him on this year's list.) A few amazing shows at CMJ this year helped boost his visibility and soon all the big names were getting behind him. Here's to a great 2008 ahead Justin!
LM : Tell us about the signing to Jagjaguar...how did it all come about and why the decision to sign with them specifically?
Justin Vernon : Well, there was a lot of swirl and a lot of people talking and calling and emailing. I would talk and talk with new people, but I would always find myself going back to them through all of it. They just understood me the most, I think. I understood them a bit more overall. Midwest, man.
LM : Are you working on any new material yet?
Justin Vernon : New stuff...Ideas...I was sitting backstage listening to two different bands sound check... and some old ladies, tribeswomen or something, I got some ideas from that. So, look out.
LM : Any musical plans for the 2007 holiday season?
Justin Vernon : I'm on tour right now with the coolest, nicest dudes, Elvis Perkins in Dearland. That is a Christmas present for me. And, I will be finishing a record that I started producing in September with a band from Montreal before Christmas too.
LM : Where is the best place you've toured over that time? Why?
Justin Vernon : Russia, with The Rosebuds. Moscow - hanging back stage with the Happy Mondays and Stone Roses. Silly, Silly, Silly times.
LM : Where is the best and worst place to eat while touring?
Justin Vernon : McDonald's...Both answers.
LM : What's the worst rock n roll injury you've sustained over that time?
Justin Vernon : A few years back I had hernia surgery. I played a show not many days after the surgery. Not advised, I played a roaring set, full-on with slashing and yelling, with my old band DeYarmond Edison. When I went out back to the side-stage I found that my stitches had ripped and my entire belt line was soaked in blood. I won't tell you what my northern crotch region looked like when I dropped trow.
MOKB : Give me your top three hometown hangouts.
Justin Vernon : The last American bar is actually in Eau Claire, WI. It's called The Joynt. Happy Hour - 45-cent taps. My parents MET there. Charles Mingus PLAYED there. Also, my local coffee shop, Racy D'Lenes . Boom. Shout out to those hoonieaks. The best restaurant in America: Hmong cuisine, Egg Rolls Plus.
LM : What weather event most terrifies you?
Justin Vernon : Underneath a lake of ice. Is that weather?
LM : What do you want for (Christmas/Hanukkah/Insert Your Holiday) this year
Justin Vernon : A Jagjaguwar T-shirt to wear everyday until summer.
LM : What's your best holiday memory?
Justin Vernon : Getting Omagles (a weird PVC pipe fort building-thing) with my brother and spending ALL day building crazy PVC forts in the living room.
LM : Give me your best holiday get-away.
Justin Vernon : I've spent EVERY Christmas with my fam at home in Eau Claire. Every one. Same way.
LM : You're snowed-in, who do you want to be stuck with you?
Justin Vernon : My girlfriend. Chinese checkers.
LM : What's the best gift to buy for that special someone this holiday season?
Justin Vernon : I want to buy a custom rocking chair for my mom, but its $4,500.00.
LM : If you were to buy that special someone one CD this holiday season, what would it be and why?
Justin Vernon : I would buy the Bowerbirds latest, Hymns For A Dark Horse, for everyone I know. And then, fly them out to see them play live. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
