Bon Iver tonight! = panties on stage.

So my man crush will probably soar to its homosexual zenith when I see Justin Vernon tonight in the flesh at the Wiltern. I just want to document my man love, for a before and after comparison. A gay gauge if you will.

Fig. 1

*** starred data is speculation. Number may sky rocket to infinity.

Obviously, I'm joking, and obviously I'm stoked, and obviously I have too much time on my hands today, but I really think this is one of those moments in my life that I'll remember for a real long time. For Emma, Forever Ago is such a special record to me, that I feel like I can't listen to it as often as I'd like to - I don't want it to be overplayed, to lose its shine that it has in my eyes. I don't want too much of a good thing - and this is the only time I've ever felt this way about a record. Justin Vernon's first full length under the Bon Iver moniker is easily one of my top records of all time, and I can say that without a moment's hesitation (an unheard of feat for me personally, and my easily persuaded monkey mind). Every time I play this record, no matter where it is, everything takes on a special significance and gets me lost in my thoughts. It could be a car ride down Lincoln, where everyone in the car silently appreciates Vernon's croon on Re: Stacks, or it could be how perfectly Bon Iver plays in the background when writing the most important letter of your life...

Tonight is going to rule. I wish I could bring everyone I know to the Wiltern tonight, to share in Justin Vernon's music tonight. To share in my happiness! To share this life changing moment (I need to calm down!)

Dark Was The Night

Dark Was The Night is the latest release from the Red Hot Charity Organization. On February 17 their effort aims to increase awareness of AIDS and HIV came to fruition in the form of a double disc. I like what the Red Hot Organization is about, because they aren't proclaiming to be working on a miracle cure - I believe they work on the premise that AIDS is most definitely a preventable disease with the proper education. 20 years since its inception, the Red Hot Organization put out their 20th album - 31 tracks that include notable artists like Justin Vernon, Coner Oberst, Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, Feist, Beirut - the list goes on, and they cover songs by Nick Drake and Bob Dylan.

I'm going out to buy this after streaming "Brackett, Wi" by Bon Iver, and the National's contribution, "Far Around The Bend". I can't even contemplate downloading this, if you do you have no soul! You can find both tracks at the Dark Was The Night website.

Bon Iver Also Rules!

       (Yes, even Justin Vernon can't deal with how awesome he is)

...Even when they cover someone else's song. Here is Justin Vernon and Co. covering a Sarah Siskind song entitled "Lovin's For Fools". It may be old to some of you but it'll definitely be a treat if you haven't peeped this vid yet. There's also a clip of Justin Vernon getting on stage with Ms. Siskind in Nashville, where they perform the song together, which I'm sure is amazing as well, but in this video, Vernon is accompanied by the Bowerbirds, who are a nu-folk band from North Carolina. They released an album last year entitled Hymns For A Dark Horse and are apparently cool enough to share a stage with Justin 'the freakin man' Vernon (ok, I might be the only one in the world lame enough to call him that). Prepare to wipe the drool off your keyboard - Bon Iver: Lovin's For Fools.

For Emma (A capella)

Big ups to my buddy Jimmy (mah booooiiii! haha) for this link. This is just amazing. Especially if it was a spur of the moment thing to drop an a capella version of 'For Emma' off of Bon Iver's 2008 debut 'For Emma, Forever Ago'. I would've killed to see this! I wanna be Bon Iver! 

Enjoy - the harmonies are nothing short of beautiful.

For Emma (A Capella)

Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

The man responsible for my favorite album of 2008 is set to release a 4 track EP in January. Entitled 'Blood Bank', Justin Vernon is scheduled to drop his EP on the 20th of January, 2009 and I am beyond stoked. Bon Iver (a play on the french word bon(ne?) hiver, which means good winter) has been playing the title track at recent shows. I've been searching youtube for a quality video and I think I've found a decent one. Enjoy! 

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

(the end is cut off, but this is the best quality I could find!)