Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon has a habit of popping up unexpectedly and unannounced. We’ve seen him randomly rub elbows with Justin Timberlake on Late Night, perform with The National at ACL, and even kick it with The Roots. He did something similar this past week, appearing alongside former bandmates Megafaun for not one, but two surprise sets at North Carolina’s Pinhook venue.
The second set on Wednesday night in particular brought even more guests: Megafaun and Vernon were joined by The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle and Hiss Golden Messenger’s Mike Taylor. Darnielle, Megafaun, and Vernon covered the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” and Vernon offered up a sobering rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Unchained”. Meanwhile, Taylor, with Vernon on guitar, rattled off “Mahogany Dread”, a track off Hiss Golden Messenger’s upcoming album on Merge Records. Replay all three performances below (via Indy Week).
Darnielle, Megafaun, and Vernon – “Friend of the Devil”:
Vernon – “Unchained”:
Taylor and Vernon – “Mahogany Dread”
