DeYarmond Edison (aka Justin Vernon‘s Old Band) at The FADER Fort at SXSW (03/19/11)

Photo: D. Caplan

By 7 o’clock on SXSW Saturday rumors were swirling about an unbilled “special guest” appearance at The FADER Fort, thinking I was “in the know” I told everyone it was going to be Bon Iver appearing under the nom de plume of DeYarmond Edison. Turns out I was only about 25% correct, as you can see from above, DeYarmond Edison did play with frontman Justin Vernon, but they weren’t there to play Bon Iver songs, it was really just a reunion of Justin’s old band from Eau Claire, WI. Not having shared the same stage for 7 years, Justin Vernon, Brad Cook, Joe Westerlund and Phil Cook ran through a short set of originals and covers and a couple of originals (with the assistance of a little sheet music, if I’m not mistaken). As everyone (else) correctly speculated, the real special guest that night turned out to be Sean “P. Diddy” Combs who introduced and later shared the stage with his protege Lil B. In true indie fashion, I bailed after Deyarmond’s set, even with the possibility of a “Diddy” sighting looming large.

Turns out that NYC Bon Iver fans won’t have to wait that long for the next appearance of the project that made Justin Vernon famous. Bon Iver is scheduled to play a “proper” benefit show at Celebrate Brooklyn! on Aug 10 which will be in support of his forthcoming new album entitled, Bon Iver. Tickets for that show go on venue presale on Apr 28 and general on sale on Apr 29 at noon.

More pictures of DeYarmond Edison (the band I scooped Jon Pareles on) at The FADER Fort and a press release for the new self-titled Bon Iver album after the jump.

BON IVER CONFIRMS NEW ALBUM ‘BON IVER’ OUT JUNE 21 ON JAGJAGUWAR

Bon Iver, the musical project of Justin Vernon that emerged to international acclaim in 2008 with ‘For Emma, Forever Ago,’ has confirmed the June 21 release of new album ‘Bon Iver’ on Jagjaguwar. Featuring 10 new songs penned by Vernon, the album expands the group’s sonic palette beyond the rustic acoustics of the debut into a lush landscape of silky electric guitars, beautifully intricate keys, and subtle horn and string sections while keeping the ghost choirs and densely layered vocals intact that Bon Iver has become so known for.
Painstakingly crafted over three years, the album was recorded and mixed at April Base Studios, a former veterinarian’s clinic in Fall Creek, WI, converted into a recording studio by Vernon and his brother. Bon Iver regulars Sean Carey, Mike Noyce and Matt McCaughan contributed vocals, drums and production; Rob Moose (Antony and the Johnsons, The National) helped with arranging and strings; and Jim Schoenecker and Tom Wincek (who have previously collaborated with Vernon under the Volcano Choir moniker) provided processing. The album also features the pedal steel of Greg Leisz (Lucinda Williams, Bill Frisell) and a horn section including Colin Stetson (Tom Waits, Arcade Fire), Mike Lewis (Andrew Bird, Happy Apple), and C.J. Camerieri (Rufus Wainwright, Sufjan Stevens).

Vernon’s debut, ‘For Emma, Forever Ago,’ was a surprise critical smash that The New Yorker’s Sasha Frere Jones noted “appears on many best-of lists for 2008 (it’s at the top of mine).” The ‘Blood Bank’ EP followed ‘For Emma,’ which Pitchfork hailed as “stunning” and debuted at #14 on the Billboard Top 200 in 2009. In the intervening years, Vernon has collaborated with artists as diverse as Kanye West and St. Vincent among others, as well as taken on additional recording projects in GAYNGS and Volcano Choir.

Bon Iver – Bon Iver

DeYarmond Edison at The FADER Fort at SXSW