Unexpected and entertaining collaborations often come a singer's way once they have a breakout year (just ask Norah Jones, who's probably still wondering how she wound up singing with both Ray Charles and Willie Nelson after her first album). That seems to be happening to Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Eau Claire Memorial High School fame, who follows up recently announced works with the Flaming Lips, James Blake and girlfriend Kathleen Edwards – and, not to mention, the Bushmills whiskey company – by appearing on the latest album from Irish folk legends the Chieftans.
Pitchfork.com is now streaming Bon Iver's contribution to the "Voice of Ages" album, a lovely little murder ballad of yore called "Down in the Willow Garden." Click here for the link. Vernon expressed his enthusiasm for the track in a tweet this morning: "Super [bleeping] pumped to have done such a great song with the eternal and ever-inspiring Chieftains." Due Feb. 21, the Chieftans record also features the Decemberists, Civil Wars and Carolina Chocolate Drops. Too bad Bon Iver will be touring Australia in early March, when the Chieftans are set to return to Orchestra Hall.
As for that coincidentally Irish-rooted Bushmills collaboration, look for ads in the whiskeymaker's "Friends Since Way Back" campaign featuring Justin along with his brother Nate Vernon, fellow co-manager Kyle Frenette and sound engineer Brian Joseph (i.e., all friends since way back). The campaign -- which "celebrates the lives and brotherly relationships of artists and influencers across the world" -- also features Chromeo, Theophilus London, actor Elijah Wood and more. At least one element keeping it from being just another questionable opportunity for an indie musician to cash in on corporate coffers, some of the video clips going around promoting the campaign feature music by Bon Iver's Minnesota pals Polica and Solid Gold, the latter of which is posted below.
