Bon Iver Forgets Everything They Knew



Justin Vernon, lead singer of Bon Iver

 Justin Vernon, the mastermind behind the indie folk band Bon Iver told Rolling Stone in a recent story why a second album has taken so long to come.

The band, which also consists of Michael Noyce, Sean Carey and Matthew McCaughan, released their debut album "For Emma, Forever Ago" in 2007.

Doesn't that seem like... forever ago?

Puns aside fans are desperate for some new material and luckily, an untitled album is set to release sometime in June. But why exactly has it taken so long?

"Somewhere along the line, I forgot how to right songs." Vernon told Rolling Stone.

It's easy to see why Vernon felt this way. He is the songwriter of the band and over the course of three years he had quite a lot of things to do. Including working with Kanye West.

If that seems a little hard to believe, don't worry because I did a double take at that information too.

That's right, Bon Iver worked with the rapper on his most recent album: "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy." Vernon appeared on six songs.

And when Vernon sat down to start writing songs for his own record, he wasn't feeling it. So, he isolated himself in rural Wisconsin and worked with a number of musicians, including saxophonist Colin Stetson, on creating interesting new sounds for the album.

Eventually, he was able to craft a 10-track album which will include song titles like "Perth," "Minnesota Wisconsin," and "Beth/Rest."

I have to say that I am really excited. Bon Iver's debut was so good that expectations are high for this sophomore effort.

Let's hope it is worth the wait.

In the meantime, listen to one of the highlights of their first album, "Skinny Love," to tide you over until June.

Sugar Vs. Spice

Had a nice, sugary upbringing? Then apparently you can't be a rock and roll star.


This has been a frequent argument in the world of alternative music since the beginning of time. A good example from back in the day is artists like Oasis playing up their working-class background and scoffing at bands like blur, who come from middle-class lifestyles.


And so the rivalries are born.



NME cover depicting the blur vs. Oasis clash


Writer Mike Williams of NME explored this problem in his post about new band the Vaccines, who grew up in a "posh" environment. Apparently this background is becoming a problem for the band because some people have decided that they are fake.


But while it's fun to have artists to have a little spice, coming from a hard life doesn't necessarily mean that the music you make is better.

Oasis was able to talk the talk with their first two albums, but eventually their spark fizzled out. Blur, however, continues to make quality music.

Radiohead met at an upscale school in Oxfordshire after all, and Arcade Fire grew up in the safe suburbs, which they ended up making a Grammy-winning album about.

While it certainly makes an adventual "Behind the Music" episode more interesting, having a bad childhood isn't the only thing that a band can use to write good songs about. Coming from a difficult background can help an artist for material to draw on but it isn't everything.

It's always the easy thing to do: Hate on a band because they had it easy growing up. But if people think that way they're going to miss out on some great music.

So cut the Vaccines and bands like them some slack. They could be the next "blur" (okay maybe that's a stretch but it could happen).

Upcoming, apparently "posh" band The Vaccines

What to Do With Your Summer

Summer is coming which means one thing: It's festival season. Three months of good music, happy memories, and overpriced water are coming your way. But how does someone decide whether to go to Lollapalooza or Summerfest, or how to choose between Sasquatch and Bonnaroo? Here is your guide to some of the coolest festivals coming up, where they are and who'll be performing there.

Lollapolooza in Chicago

International Events:
Glastonbury: Always a favorite this event, held in Glastonbury, U.K., will include performances by Coldplay, Paolo Nutini, and Elbow to name a few. It'll be held from June 22 to 26.


T in the Park: Located in Kinross, also in the U.K., fans should expect appearances by the Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, Noah and the Whale, and Manic Street Preachers. It'll be happening from July 8 to the 10.


Hurricane: Bremen, Germany holds the festival every year and performers will include Arcade Fire, The Chemical Brothers, and Two Door Cinema Club, from June 17-19.


National Events:
Sasquatch!: This festival is held in George, Washington from May 27-30. Slated to perform are The Flaming Lips, Wilco, and Death Cab For Cutie among others.

Bonnaroo: A fan favorite, Bonnaroo is happening from June 9-12 in Manchester, Tennessee. Mumford and Sons, Ray Lamontagne and My Morning Jacket are some of the many artists that will be there.

Local Events:
Summerfest: Milwaukee is the home of the largest festival in the United States and this year it's from June 19-July 3 and then July 5-10. Performers so far include Cage the Elephant, Florence + The Machine, and the Black Keys.

Lollapolooza: The coolest music event to happen in Chicage every year from August 5-7 can't be missed. While it's too early to say who will be playing last year's lineup of Soundgarden, Phoenix, and Green Day was a hit.

Radiohead Goes Out On a "Limb"

As Chris Talbot said wrote in an ABC news story: "It's Radiohead's world, we just live in it."


And what a great world it is.


Every one's favorite alternative band is back with a new album called "King of Limbs". It's their eighth studio album coming after 2007's "In Rainbows". And it's a lot different than what fans were expecting.


It's eight songs clocking in at 37 minutes making it the shortest Radiohead album ever. This fact is leaving many fans and critics wishing for more music.


The band also caused controversy when they announced that they were making the album available for download in February even when the album's official release is set for May. This brings to mind when the band caused a stir by letting fans pay whatever they want for "In Rainbows."

Let's face it: Radiohead wouldn't be as great of a band if they didn't shake things up a little. There's nothing better than a talented group breaking the rules.

They continued this trend by doing the unexpected, creating an extremely short album. According to lead singer Thom Yorke this was due to the fact that the band was tired of doing all the work that it takes to make a long album.

So what do I think of "Limbs"?

I think it's just as interesting as any Radiohead album out there. Yeah, it's short but an album doesn't need to be hours long to make a quality point. "Lotus Flower" is a great single, with a video that answered one of my long wondered questions: Can Yorke dance? And the answer is... well yeah, but more like that crazy uncle you see at weddings. Watch the video below:

Other honorable mentions include "Seperator" and "Codex." The entire album is full of interesting instrumentation and, as is expected of a Radiohead, experimentation. "Limbs" is a solid addition to the band's catalogue.

And as for the rumors that this body of work is just a lead up to another album, if that's true I certainly wouldn't complain.

Album artwork for "King of Limbs."



Top 15 Most Exciting Artists of the Moment

There are so many bands and singers out there it can make any one's head spin. So, I've put together a little list of the top 15 artists that I'm excited about right now to help everyone out. And if one of them sounds interesting I've also included an essential song for any fan to have by each.

15. Warpaint- This Los Angeles, all-girl band is a great experimental rock group.
      Key Track: Undertow

14. The Avett Brothers- After a memorable performance at the Grammys this folk rock band has proven they're just getting started.
      Key Track: Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Problems

13. The Boxer Rebellion- A London based band who's uplifting melodies could make a fan out of anyone... even a guy who says he's too cool for uplifting melodies.
      Key Track: Both Sides Are Even

12. Johnny Flynn- An actor, poet, and singer-songwriter from England. He cites Shakespeare as an influence so his songwriting is pretty deep.
      Key Track: Lost and Found

11. Florence + the Machine- This group consisting of Florence Welch and a backing band is already Grammy-nominated. If you like your rock with a spook factor this is your band.
      Key Track: A Kiss With a Fist

10. The Strokes- This New York City garage band isn't exactly a new player in the game but with an upcoming album on the way for the end of march it's the perfect time to get into them.
      Key Track: Under Cover of Darkness

9. Laura Marling- A folk songstress from England who's only 20 but writes songs about things 20-year-olds shouldn't even know about, let alone be able to write a good music about.
    Key Track: Devil's Spoke

8. Vampire Weekend- A New York City based band of a bunch of kids just out of college who write smart, catchy songs. And yeah they're the ones that sing that "Holiday" song you can never get out of your head.
    Key Track: Cousins

7. Jenny and Johnny- Indie Rock darling Jenny Lewis and Jonathan Rice (who are a real-life couple) have made a debut album of fun, sounds like what a California day would sound like love songs.
    Key Track: Scissor Runner

6. Avi Buffalo- This band from Long Beach, California, deliver catchy and psychedelic rock songs. Somewhat similar to another great band, MGMT.
    Key Track: Truth Sets In

5. James Blake- Electronic music's newest poster boy from London. He mixes together spacey sounds, great beats, and a soulful voice to great effect.
    Key Track: The Wilhelm Scream

4. The xx- The newest winners of the Mercury Prize craft songs that create an atmosphere by using interesting sounds and lyrics. The singers have great voices as well.
   Key Track: Heart Skipped a Beat

3. The National- Another band that's been around a while but with recent album High Violet gaining more and more fans this group, whose lyrics are great for the heartbroken or depressed, can't be missed.
   Key Track: Bloodbuzz Ohio

2. Arcade Fire: I've mentioned this band already in this blog for a reason: I'm obsessed. These Canadians sure can write introspective and heartfelt songs that you can also rock out to.
    Key Track: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)


1. Mumford and Sons- Based on the fact that their debut album has gone platinum on both sides of the Atlantic, this band may not be considered indie anymore, but that's not going to stop me from putting them at number 1. If you haven't heard the emotionally foot-stomping tunes of these English lads you are seriously missing out.
    Key Track: The Cave
    Watch the video for it below:

Music Industry Veteran Causes Stir Over Grammy Complaints

Two weeks ago marketing executive Steven Stout caused controversy when he complained about unknown artists like Arcade Fire and Esperanza Spalding winning the coveted Grammy award over favorites Eminem and Justin Bieber respectively. In an 850-word open letter in the Sunday New York Times Stout wrote: "I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture."


Needless to say that kind ticked winners off. Arcade Fire's manager, Scott Rodger,  responded: "Arcade Fire deserved to win this year. They made the best album. If the award was named 'Album Sales of the Year' award, there would be no discussion."


So let the:  "Should the Grammys go to the most popular artists or the artists with the most credibility?" debate begin. 


In my opinion Stout seems to be the one who is losing touch with culture in general. The winners were voted winners for a reason. Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs" was the best in the category, no question, and last time I checked the Grammys were about quality, not the quantity of money the nominees made.


And as for Justin Bieber not winning, there may be millions of "Beliebers" crying their (thankfully) water-proof mascaraed eyes out, but their shouldn't be. I'm sure the Biebs will be fine and people should be happy for Spalding... even if they have no idea who she is.


So I say: Thank you Grammys. Thank you for not selling out this time. Maybe it's Indie music's time to shine.

Arcade Fire with their "Album of the Year Award" at the Grammys.