Bon Iver, Bon Iver

Production notes

Bon Iver, Bon Iver was recorded primarily at April Base Studios, a converted veterinary clinic in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, owned by Justin Vernon. The album was produced by Justin Vernon and engineered by Brian Joseph, who also served as mixer alongside Vernon. Released in June 2011 on Jagjaguwar Records, the album marked a dramatic departure from the lo-fi, isolated cabin recordings of For Emma, Forever Ago, embracing a lush, expansive sound with full band arrangements, horns, saxophones, and layered vocal harmonies. Notable technical choices included extensive use of the Messina, a custom-built vocal harmonizer pedal created by Chris Messina, which processed Vernon's voice into stacked, choir-like textures, as well as the incorporation of pedal steel guitar, modular synthesizers, and unconventional song structures. The album was critically acclaimed and won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, cementing Vernon's reputation for innovative studio craft and emotionally resonant production.