'Bon Iver plays last show for the foreseeable future'

...so says the band's official website: http://www.boniver.org/. While that is sad news for flannels and beards everywhere, the hiatus is much deserved. Over two years on since its initial self release, Justin Vernon and Co's heartbreaking debut, For Emma, Forever Ago and follow up EP, Blood Bank, has kept them in near constant tour mode. Obsessed punters (like myself) unwilling to let go of the beloved singer songwriter can continue to follow Mr. Vernon's side project with Collections of Colonies of Bees, Volcano Choir and their debut LP, Unmap (which includes the song 'Still', a beautifully harmonized twist on Blood Bank's 'Woods'). Bon Iver can also be found releasing one last new song, 'Rosyln' in collaboration with St. Vincent on the indie-music-sign-of-the-times New Moon OST.

No matter how long the break, should the results of which foster a follow-up LP even half as good as their debut, the wait will have been well worth it. In the meantime, we're left with one last treat...

Bon Iver, live at Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI, 11 Oct 2009