Tag Archives: Justin Vernon

Listen: New Field Report – “Chico the American”

Here’s another track (via WNYC) from the Chris Porterfield project we told you about called Field Report. I’m very much anticipating the band’s self-titled album, which comes out on Partisan Records Sept. 11.

Field Report tour dates (no Columbus yet):
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MP3: Field Report – “Fergus Falls,” “Taking Alcatraz” and “I Am Not Waiting Anymore”

MP3: Fergus Falls
MP3: I Am Not Waiting Anymore
MP3: Taking Alcatraz

Field Report is Chris Porterfield, who played with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon in DeYarmond Edison, but when the rest of the band went on to form Megafaun, Porterfield struck out in his own, forming Conrad Plymouth, which he recently retired to form this new project.

Listening to these three tracks (the only songs available so far from Field Report) reminds me of stumbling upon some Bon Iver tracks over at MOKB some five years ago, before Jagjaguwar and Kanye and Grammys and all that. It’s not that Porterfield sounds a lot like Vernon, though they’d do just fine together on a “Intimate aught-folk for late nights” mixtape. But it gives me the same feeling of stumbling upon something special, something that resonates deeply and may make other people feel something, too. Maybe you’re one of those people. Give these a listen and see.

Video: Justin Vernon & Sean Carey perform Bon Iver songs with two pianos

4AD and Jagjaguwar have collaborated on a live session that captures a truly unique Bon Iver performance, featuring Justin Vernon and Sean Carey. On recent tours fans will have become accustomed to seeing Vernon flanked by an eleven-piece band, with the swell in numbers lending a grandiose element to even his most delicate songs. Sidestepping expectations, the idea Vernon presented for this session was to provide a wildly different experience.

Recorded in AIR Studio’s Lyndurst Hall – a building that was originally a church and missionary school designed in 1880 by the great Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse (designer of the Natural History Museum) – Vernon was joined only by Carey, with the pair positioning themselves opposite one another at two grand pianos. Although neither Justin nor Sean’s first instrument is piano, they were able to remodel the songs in a way that showcases their complimentary vocals and, perhaps more strikingly, a seemingly effortless ability to experiment with form and structure.
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Cincinnati’s MusicNOW Festival to feature Joanna Newsom, St. Vincent, Justin Vernon

musicnow

2010 is the fifth anniversary of this festival founded by The National’s Bryce Dessner, who still serves as the artistic director. Pretty solid lineup this year. Here’s the details from the website:

The festival opens Tuesday, March 30th with arresting harpist and songwriter Joanna Newsom. Wednesday, March 31st, St. Vincent, led by composer, singer and guitar virtuoso Annie Clark, will present works from their widely acclaimed latest release, Actor, as well as new works venturing deeper into chamber arranging and composition. The same evening yMusic, will premiere the festival commission written by Clark. Inventive vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Justin Vernon, best known for his work with Bon Iver, presents a rare solo concert to close the festival April 1st. All concerts will be held at the beautiful and historic Memorial Hall. Tickets are on-sale now, via the web and by phone 1-800-838-3600. Single concert tickets are $20; a festival pass for all three concerts is $50.