Photo by Jay Sansone I never laughed so loudI never laughed so loudI never laughed so loudThink I’m coming down It saddens me when people confuse struggle with failure. When you struggle, you often lose, you don’t get what you want, and still, nothing can stop you. You only fail when you lose and give … Read more
Well, friends, the end is no longer near. It’s here. The end of our Best Songs of 2011 countdown, that is. The real end comes next December, as we all know. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Bon Iver landed the number one spot with the track, “Holocene.” But, amazingly, the song and the record itself … Read more
Our favorite album of the year: Bon Iver’s Bon Iver 50 Panda Bear – Tomboy (Paw Tracks) [buy the album] 49 Nicole Atkins – Mondo Amore (Razor & Tie) [buy the album] 48 GIVERS – In Light (Glassnote) [buy the album] 47 Admiral Fallow – Boots Met My Face (Lo-Five) [buy the album] 46 The Civil Wars – … Read more
Floating. Fluttery. Sparse. Intimate. All words that have been used to describe the music Lia Ices creates, and while all are spot on, I hear a quiet reservation bubbling below the surface of her songs. And while they are melodic, and whisper-quiet at times, the energy behind the effort is palpable. As you hit repeat, … Read more
Before Bon Iver and Megafaun separately blew the hell up, both bands were collectively part of DeYarmond Edison, the now defunct NC via WI super-group of folk power. Consisting of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, and Megafaun members Joe Westerlund, Phil Cook and Brad Cook, they were poised to become the biggest thing to come out … Read more
We know, we know. 2011 is only half empty. Or, half full, as we optimistic bloggers at Speakers in Code like to think. But the midway point of the year is always a good point to pause, gather our thoughts, make some lists, revisit early favorites, and tell you about all the songs and albums … Read more
Photo by Justin Vernon “Margaritas and sleeping pills.” Holy awesome, is it great to hear Kathleen Edwards’ voice again. I am beyond excited to see her on Sunday at The Pageant, where she’ll be opening for Bon Iver. “Change the Sheets,” which I’m hoping she’ll play this weekend, is taken from her upcoming album, Voyageur, … Read more
I ainʼt living in the dark no more it’s not a promise, Iʼm just gonna call it Yeah, I remember hearing about Justin Vernon of Bon Iver for the first time. A friend had emailed me with the subject line, “I told you to be patient.” The message? A link to his MySpace page (of … Read more
Speakers Rating: 97/100 “And at once I knew I was not magnificent.” This lyric comes from “Holocene,” the third track on Bon Iver’s self titled second LP (Jagjaguwar), and it may just be the musical moment of the year… Bon Iver, the musical undertaking created and marshaled by Justin Vernon, will likely be forever linked … Read more
For the second day in a row, we’ve opted to feature a track from a band on the Jagjaguwar roster. We swear: we’re not trying to suck up. We just can’t help but be blown away by first, the badass The Cave Singers and now by the return of Bon Iver, the band that knocked … Read more
Dallas quartet Air Review are on the brink of something special. These Texans are in the process of releasing their debut EP America’s Son, one single at a time, over the next five or six months. The EP’s eponymous track is a cozy piece of folky Americana. Engaging, rustic, and immeasurably listenable, “America’s Son” envelops … Read more
On Monday (4/4), S. Carey of Bon Iver hits Off Broadway for a show with Blood Pony and local band Dots Not Feathers. As you may know, Bon Iver is set to release a new album this summer, but for now, Carey is still touring off of last year’s debut solo record, All We Grow. … Read more
Holy shit. Either Cameron Crowe is a prophet, or some pretty crazy stars aligned to bring this Jam of the Day to fruition. Feel my flow… In the year 2000, Crowe dropped a little movie entitled Almost Famous that chronicled a band named Stillwater, as it gigged across America, opening for larger and larger bands, … Read more
Continuing to blur the line that historically separated “indie rock” from music your dad used to spin at night when he drank, NYC-based Forest Fire are hitting our asses hard with classic hooks and melodies that hipsters and hippies alike can get down to in unison. And looking back, 2011 has been an interesting year … Read more
From: Mr. Justin Vernon To: Mr. and Mrs. Speakers in Code It’s a difficult task to write about Amateur Love. The band was the singular catalyst driving me to found Chigliak Records. What Amateur Love means to the history of Eau Claire music is representative of everything we set out to illuminate with this record … Read more
One thing the most gluttonous of gormandizing holidays is not lacking is…girth. Given Thanksgiving is now overflowing with deep fried turkeys, blow-up yard pilgrims, ethnic cleansing debates, wine, family tension, pickled beets (you know who you are), and football, it seems as though there’s barely enough room to pack in one extra pinto bean. … Read more
Music nerdom can sometimes be frustrating. Sure – you have the typical irritation points, like when you see that Maroon 5 sold out the local Bud Light Lime Dome, or that the massive pool of Top 40 fans were amazed and horribly irritated when Bon Iver won a Grammy, despite their not knowing who the … Read more
well Iʼd know that you’d offerwould reveal it, though it’s soft and flatwon’t repeat it, cull and coffer’s thatfor the soffit, hang this homewardpry it open with your lovesending lost and alone standing offers Uhhh…I’m not going to even try to make meaning of that. But know this: I love me some “Best/Rest,” the closing … Read more
First Aid Kit’s 2010’s debut, The Big Black and the Blue was chillingly intimate, feeling somehow like the female yin to the mansculine yang of Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago. And keeping with that comparison, their new album, The Lion’s Roar, mirrors Justin Vernon’s eponymous second album by adding a full band and completely expanding … Read more
Minneapolis continues its golden run of producing quality talent with the first project to arrive out of the Gayngs collective, the super slick electronic pop-soul outfit Poliça. Fronted by vocalist Channy Leanagh who sang with Gayngs, produced by Ryan Olson and featuring Mike Noyce from Bon Iver, it’s a who’s who of the current Twin … Read more
April 21st, or Record Store Day to those who are awesome, is a magical day for those of us who still love to hold physical albums in our hands. It’s a day where the sun seems to burn a little brighter around doors covered in stickers. The birds chirp along with whistling crooners who imitate … Read more
I like cover songs when they come from a different angle, a different corner of the heart. So, naturally, I’m digging Birdy’s version of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” — it’s not overbearing, and it showcases the 17-year-old British singer-songwriter’s propensity to keep it simple. You can find it on her EP called Breathe, which you … Read more
Photo by: Cameron Wittig “You know what were saying ‘bout us now. He’s a legend. I’m a legend. And we both go tripping thru the door.” I’m pretty sure Justin Vernon isn’t talking about himself here, but I think it’s about high-time to admit that he damn well could sing that line about himself without … Read more
Photo by Rebecca Miller On Thursday, May 30th, Speakers in Code is proud to welcome The Staves back to St. Louis, this time for their first headlining gig in our fine city. The show is going down at Off Broadway, and tickets are only $10 ($12 day of show). You can RSVP to the show … Read more
If you’re a fan of Bon Iver, Megafaun, or Peter Wolf Crier, you may want to keep reading. Brian Moen, Phil Cook and Justin Vernon played one show as The Shouting Matches nearly seven years ago. They reunited in Eau Claire, Wisconsin this past year and made a record fusing influences into what they do … Read more
Does it sound a bit like a Bon Iver song? Sure. How many fucks to I give? None. Because Bon Iver isn’t giving me what I need these days. I need music like this for the coming cold winter nights. I need something emotional for those now-dark-nights driving home from work. So thanks NOVO AMOR. … Read more
Do you enjoy musical groups with a bevy of multi-talented members? Yes! Do you indulge in your favorite musicians’ side-projects? Indeed! Do you dig Bon Iver? Naturally! Do you groove to jazzy, extended, eighties-style, spaced out jams? Why not! If you answered all of the above in similar fashion, then GAYNGS (yes, all caps) should … Read more
I, for one, happen to like the recent saturation of synth in the once downtrodden genre of bedroom pop. I mean, it’s still pretty awesome music to play when I’m finally laying down for the night, but it somehow makes things seem all dark and mysterious now. That is – until my dog Angus hops … Read more
When trying to introduce Megafaun to the masses, it’s hard not to bring up the fact they were three of the four members of the Raleigh band DaYarmond Edison. Reason being – the fourth member of that band was Justin Vernon, otherwise known as everyone’s favorite indie-folkie Bon Iver. But as our Jam of the … Read more
Thanks to Alice for the tip on this live cover of Bon Iver doing The Outfield’s “Your Love,” originally found on Rod Blackhurst’s blog. It’s about six months old, but it’s news to me. And maybe you, unless you’re way cooler than I. If Justin Vernon’s voice isn’t perfect for this song, I don’t know … Read more