Spoke to Justin at Song Exploder!

[u/starfinder22]

i was selected to ask a question last night, and it was such a dream. i’ve imagined so many times over the years what i would say to justin if i could; the one thing that always started the conversation was “thank you”. thank you for this world; this expansive universe that holds so much of my lived experience. for the art that has challenged me, held me in some of my darkest moments, time capsules to relive so many different timelines. it’s why i always go back to bon iver; it is a living, breathing body of work that feels like a gentle caress from an old friend, the past versions of myself. a homecoming.

so last night i thanked justin, and he said thank you back. i’m usually good with public speaking, but suddenly speaking to my favorite artist, i was so nervous. i did my best to tell briefly him everything i’d thought about saying for over a decade. but also to set context for my question; if this is my relationship to the art as a listener, what is that relationship like for you as the creator, the messenger of this work?

honestly, i blacked out a bit because i couldn’t believe what was happening. the host co-opted my question a little, but justin spoke directly to me in his answer. from what i remember, his first response was “i’m sitting right there next to you”. which pulled at my heart, because genuinely the music has always felt like that. like justin himself is right there with you in it all. he went on about how when he’s making the music he’s in it and in that moment, but after, he’s on the outside of it with us. if anyone else remembers more of that answer, please share. or if you have a recording of that part of the Q&A i would absolutely love to have it! i wish i audio recorded his answer, but i was so overwhelmed with everything happening. bad day to forget my adhd meds lol.

anyway, it truly still (and probably always will) feels surreal that i spoke with justin after all these years of imagining what i might say, but never thinking i’d actually have the opportunity. his eye contact and really tuning in with me was such a gift. two people after the show said i really touched him/made him think, so to have that moment of humanness with someone i hold so much respect and appreciation for is an unbelievable gift. 18 y/o me getting her first tattoo of the “bon iver” script from the self-titled album is beyond thrilled. the best night ❤️

[u/roland1013]

I’m so glad you had that experience and thank you for sharing it. I wish I could say thanks personally and give justin a big hug