Thursday Bears: Bon Iver on Ellen

Ellen is usually a fan of bringing acts attached to modern ones, but not necessarily the actual acts themselves (the group that covered Gotye, the man from the "Lonely Boy" Black Keys video). So when the show actually nabbed Bon Iver, it was a bit surprising.

Check out their performances of "Towers" and "Michicant" below.

Friday Bears: Bon Iver's 4AD/Jagjaguwar session

Enough Justin Vernon's acceptance speech at last Sunday's Grammy Awards. The brainchild behind Bon Iver released a near-25 minute performance of songs from his last self-titled album, 2009's Blood Bank EP, plus his well-known cover of Bonnie Rait's "I Can't Make You Love Me."

Watch the whole session below, via 4AD and Jagjaguwar Records.

Bon Iver on SNL

After last week's debacle of Lana Del Rey, in whatever form you may find it more comforting to explain (along with a good impersonation from Kristin Wiig on last Saturday's show), Justin Vernon and the rest of Bon Iver made their first appearance on the Channing Tatum-hosted Saturday Night Live.

Just a week before the 53rd Grammy Awards, in which the aforementioned group is up for several awards, including 'Best New Artist,' despite being relevant for four-plus years now, Bon Iver performed a spectacular rendition of "Holocene" and a surprising rendition of the much maligned "Best/Rest." Watch the performances below, and look for Colin Stetson helping out for "Best/Rest."

Bon Iver - Holocene



Bon Iver - Beth/Rest (ft. Colin Stetson)

Friday Bears: The Chieftains are 50

The Chieftains, the legendary Irish folk group, have hit their active 50th anniversary. Let that sink in. The Chieftains are now 50 years old. And while the band members continually changed over time, which isn't that strange given the circumstances, sticking together in any form for that long is a certain testament to resilience.

To celebrate the achievement, the group is planning to release Voice of Ages; a compilation effort which includes help from Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, The Decemberists, The Low Anthem, and more.

Listen to the group's collaboration with Bon Iver on "Down By The Willow Garden" below, courtesy of Pretty Much Amazing.

Bon Iver sings Bonnie Raitt, Donny Hathaway on Fallon

Before Justin Vernon and Bon Iver truly explode (future covers of both SPIN and Billboard magazines are on the way), the Wisconsin native appeared on Fallon last night. It might be a slight disappointment for some that Vernon didn't perform anything from next month's self-titled release, but his rendition of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Nick of Time," along with Donny Hathaway's "A Song for You" were still that other-worldly awe that Vernon continually evokes.

The Raitt covers will appear on the B-Side of the group's first single from the album, "Calgary." Pre-orders are available here.

Bon Iver - "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time/A Song for You" Medley (Live on Fallon)

Monday Bears: Return of the Bear, and Bon Iver

Now that I'm officially a college graduate, looking for any and all work (a little help, guys), Bears and Bullets will be back in full effect.

Earlier today, Bon Iver premiered the first single from their upcoming self-titled LP, "Calgary." The newer sound is a bit more fine-tuned and glossy, covered in subtle synth work, but still with Justin Vernon's rightfully ethereal vocals. Listen to the stream below via Pretty Much Amazing, where you can also download the track.

Bon Iver is due out June 21 via Jagjaguwar. Pre-ordering the album through mail order also gives you a free download of "Calgary," available here.