Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon gave an in-depth interview to Pitchfork ahead of the release of i,i, the band’s forthcoming studio album. While the interview focuses on the new album and his current band, Vernon reveals he took acid backstage at Dead & Company‘s June 23, 2018 concert at Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wisconsin. Justin performed three songs with Dead & Company that night.

The revelation came during a hang at the bar of The Oxbow, a boutique hotel in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that Vernon co-owns. Justin and Bon Iver guitarist Andrew Fitzpatrick spoke about their experience taking acid at the Dead & Company show. Vernon joined the group for “Black Muddy River,” “Friend Of The Devil” and “Bird Song” to close Dead & Company’s first set at Alpine last summer. Justin had high praise for D&C guitarist John Mayer, telling Pitchfork “I am fully in on John Mayer” and added “Hats off to that motherfucker.”


Vernon also spoke openly about his political views and explained he aims to “route a Bon Iver tour all around Wisconsin—the once and future battleground state that Trump surprisingly won in 2016—doing as many shows as he can in support of the Democratic presidential nominee, whoever that may be.” Additional topics covered were his friendship and musical relationship with Kanye West, what fans can expect from his upcoming tour and the lyrics within i,i track “Naeem.” Head to Pitchfork to read the whole feature.

Watch Vernon perform “Bird Song” with Dead & Company thanks to Milwaukee Live: