Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After the breakup of a band, relationship, and a bout of mono Justin spent three months in his father's cabin in the woods of northern Wisconsin. It was during this time that the "Bon Iver" moniker first entered his mind; while bedridden with mono, he began watching the television series Northern Exposure on DVD. One episode depicts a group of citizens in Alaska, where the show is set, emerging from their homes into the first snowfall of the winter and wishing one another a "bon hiver" (French for "good winter"). This was initially transcribed by Justin as "boniverre"; however, when he learned of its proper French spelling, he decided not to use it as "hiver" reminded him too much of "liver", the location of his illness at the time.
I’ll bet you 100 bucks that I’ve passed this guy at least once while I was living in Eau Claire. He would’ve been in high school at the time, back in 1995. Maybe I should ask him if he ever sang karaoke at Finney’s? Or got his groove on at She Nann’s? I have so many memories from Eau Claire. Some good. Some bad. Some I’ll never share. Some of which drove me to move away. But this is a perfect example of how one life experience can lead to another. Life is intertwined and full of purpose. Did I live in Eau Claire so that I would have this common ground with a singer that will be playing at Bonnaroo? Maybe so. Maybe not. Either way, a great conversation starter!
Check him out:
--posted by Trish
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