Bon Iver releases new EP “Sable,”

EAU CLAIRE— Grammy-award winning, locally based musical artist Bon Iver released a new EP, “SABLE,” on Friday. The project contains four tracks- “...”, “THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS”, “S P E Y S I D E” and “AWARD SEASON”.

“SABLE,” was born of Bon Iver frontman and Eau Claire native Justin Veron’s struggle with anxiety as the band’s popularity grew, according to Bon Iver’s official website. Named for near-blackness, the EP represents a sort of rebirth for both Vernon and Bon Iver. Much like Bon Iver’s four albums, “Sable,” contains a comma in the title, only this time the comma sits at the end suggesting things yet to come.

Compared to Bon Iver’s last album, “i,i”, the EP is relatively stripped back, heavily featuring Vernon’s guitar and vocals. It’s a return to roots that more closely resembles Bon Iver’s debut album “For Emma, Forever Ago,” which was famously written during a period of isolation in Vernon’s father’s cabin not far from Eau Claire. This is particularly evident in “S P E Y S I D E,” which was released as a single ahead of the EP this fall.

Along with the EP, Bon Iver also released music videos for the songs shot by Wisconsinite Erinn Springer. The videos, which are shot entirely in black and white, feature Springer’s signature American gothic style. Sweeping shots of rural landscapes interspersed with Vernon performing in what appears to be an abandoned barn creates an air mournful and almost eerie air of reflection.

Vernon has been an active participant and investor in the Eau Claire art scene throughout his career. He co-founded the Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival, a two-day festival that ran from 2015-2018 and was a key investor in The Oxbow Hotel & The Lakely, which regularly hosts live music events.

For more information about Bon Iver or to find where to stream the EP, please visit boniver.org .