Justin Vernon, the creative force behind Bon Iver, recently shared his thoughts on his connection with pop superstar Taylor Swift. During an interview with The New Yorker on October 16, 2024, Vernon reflected on their friendship, suggesting they would have been very close if they had met in high school.
The two musicians collaborated on Swift’s 2020 albums, folklore and evermore, but their first in-person meeting occurred after the release of folklore. Vernon described that moment as meaningful, expressing, “I was, like, ‘Wow, you’re somebody that I would have been very close friends with in high school.’ You’re real and you’re here.” His words highlight the authenticity he felt upon meeting Swift, noting her impressive career trajectory: “To see what she’s been up to, the propulsion, the expansion… it’s just unlike anything anyone’s ever seen.”
Vernon also discussed his upcoming EP, SABLE, which is set to release on October 18, 2024. He expressed that the new music reflects an evolution from his 2007 debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago. “From For Emma until i,i, it felt like it was an arc, or an expansion—from One to All,” he explained. The artist emphasized his desire for SABLE to feel like a “raw second skin,” moving away from his previous works while still retaining a connection to his musical roots.
Vernon noted, “I think about time in cylindrical, forward-moving circles. This feels like a new person, new skin. A new everything, more than a return.” He aimed to create music that strips away excess layers, allowing the essence of the songs to resonate clearly with listeners. “Just get it as close to the human ear as possible,” he said.
In addition to their personal connection, Vernon and Swift have collaborated musically in several ways. He contributed to her tracks “exile” on folklore and the title track of evermore. Their artistic partnership extended to Swift’s collaboration with Vernon’s band, Big Red Machine, which includes Aaron Dessner of The National. The duo featured Swift on two songs—“Birch” and “Renegade”—from their 2021 album, How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?
As fans eagerly anticipate both Vernon’s upcoming EP and the future of Swift’s musical journey, it’s clear that these two artists share a profound appreciation for one another, making their connection all the more intriguing.
