Could you lend some information on the recording process of For Emma, Forever Ago? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned that you’ll apply towards future recording sessions?

I went to my father’s hunting lodge in northern Dunn County, WI to live. I went in early November when it was just getting cold and just after leaving a couple big pieces of my life behind me in North Carolina. I just went to be alone, and be in the quiet of the woods and the lodge. THAT was the recording process. I had a small amount of gear, an SM57 and a small editing deal. I just had it there to write and demo and it started to evoke this kind of tapey/fluid sound throughout it and eventually over the course of the three or four months, I had these snippets that became finished work; an album.

As far as lessons go, I wouldn’t mind having some more gear, some ribbon mics and some decent pre’s, or some analog conversion or something, but will probably do so in the future. Although i do like being limited by things too. But the best lesson was a constructive one. The one that if you just go somewhere and not worry about making music (not the main reason I went to the 80 acres in the first place.) and the music comes. more honestly. I felt like, for the first time since I was 14 at the old 4track, that i was creating honestly; from ME, not from the perspective of fans or support. That attitude got me streamlined me into something that I was not, not something I was.

The first time I met you was at SXSW and you were holding down guitar duties for The Rosebuds. Is that a role you’ll be continuing, and how fun was it playing their material?

Playing in The Rosebuds is serious fun. I recall answering this question to a lot people, and the thing I always would say is that is was never hard to get ready to play a set of such good pop music. It was fun, you could dance, you could sing. I was always ready to play, very fun.

As far as the future, I think Ivan and Kelly might do the 3 piece thing some more with Matt, maybe, hopefully we can play more together. There has been talk of doing some more recordings together down the road. We have done some more things post-Furies and they were sounding pretty awesome. Kind of this Furies meets Fleetwood Mac vibe. This one song keeps bashing me in the back the neck every couple of weeks.

What was the last show you went to see, as a fan? Also, who’s at the top of your list as far as concerts you’d want to see?

The last show, I guess I technically saw was Land of Talk, I don’t really like to go to shows after tour and I have been chilling working on Bon Iver stuff since. Land of Talk’s set is pretty fucking breathtaking. I have seen them now about 25 times, and I would watch every night of tour, never getting even remotely tired of the songs. I guess I gushed enough, because I was going to produce their record in early Sept at the Arcade Fire church outside Montreal.

Land of Talk is my favorite rock band, lets put it that way. That’s why I’m in Northern Ontario at little Cottage this week. And thats where you’ll probably be finding me for… a long time.

What show would be at the top of my list? well, dream show would probably be The Band. The Band with the Staple Singers opening and playing the show with the Band. But that won’t really happen.

I would love to see Califone again. Jim Becker is a fucking warlord with sound. Good Job those guys, sheesh. I’m a sucker for Gillian Welch shows, with Dave Rawlings. Uh, I loved this loud, pretty drone set by Horseback (from Burly Time Records) a while back. Bowerbirds are great to watch for me.

I like, but mostly don’t LOVE a lot of shows.

The internet has dramatically altered the way bands can reach an audience. With things like blogs/myspace/etc, what are your thoughts on the power of the internet in terms of helping (or hurting) your music?

It’s mostly gonna help. the record industry will be alright, its already getting smarter. Not worrying about record sales as much and more marketing the artists on facets. the internet will help MORE than it will hurt, if it hurts at all.

Do you have plans of touring anytime soon behind the record, and when can we expect/hope to have you in Madison?

Brooklyn Vegan has invited Bon Iver to play CMJ and SXSW for them. I might do CMJ solo, unless I can my band together that soon. And also, will probably do a solo set at Pop Montreal in October. I want For Emma to come out on a label in January, then tour hard through the spring.

MoB: Homegrown: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Myspace: Bon Iver
MP3: Bon Iver - Skinny Love
MP3: Bon Iver - For Emma
MP3: Bon Iver - Blindsided