If you’re like me, you are in love with Bon Iver (Justin Vernon), and want to ask him “Hey IVER–yeah you– when’s your next album coming out?!” Truthfully, it makes complete sense why it’s taking so long to get a sophomore album released. Similar to Sufjan Stevens, Vernon quickly became an icon for indie music, and now has a ton of pressure riding on his flannel-covered-shoulders. It must be weird going from writing a reflective album, in complete solitude, to knowing that your next album will be critiqued by 100,000+ people (not to mention the wrath of a Pitchfork) just because your pseudonym is attached.
In the meantime, if you need your Bon Iver fix, you should check out Isbells. Instead of Justin Vernon, we have Gaëtan Vandewoude, and instead of an old cabin in Wisconsin, Vandewoude wrote the songs in an old stable in Belgium. Not to say that Isbells is a Bon Iver poser, as he’s certainly got his own thing going on. I’m just really enjoying his self-titled debut, and it immediately grabbed my attention, similar to the first time I heard For Emma For Ever Ago.
Isbells is based out of Leuven, Belgium. In addition to Vandewoude, band members include Naima Joris, Bart Borremans and Gianni Marzo.
S/T (2009):
iTunes | Myspace | Zealrecords
Hello, I have just come across this album on Spotify – it is amazing what you can find there within a few levels of clicking on the lesser known “Related artists..,”
This is beautiful stuff isn’t it? A very warm sound and utterly charming. I’m not sure how much depth there is there but for a first listen am not too bothered.
I found Bon Iver quickly irritating, but this is just so engaging. Some playful guitar work keeps the simple production interesting. Try if for yourselves with this spotify link.
http://open.spotify.com/artist/14dULnNGmLKnS59BzNrHi4
And keep up the blogging! Its good to find you.
Just discovered this band tonight and I am hooked on Time’s Ticking…there’s such a sense of honesty in the song and its workings I can’t quite express but it just captures me and doesn’t seem to want to let me go. Great stuff. Looking forward to discovering the rest of the album!
This album makes me shiver