Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon manages to accomplish more in between his band’s albums than many artists do throughout their entire careers. It’s easy to forget that spearheading Bon Iver is technically Vernon’s full-time occupation. During the time between his self-released 2007 debut For Emma, Forever Ago and Bon Iver's subsequent self-titled sophomore album in 2011, Vernon launched a side project, contributed to a little album called My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and had his music covered by Peter Gabriel. Now, a half-decade since their last studio release, Bon Iver have announced a new album, set for a live debut this Friday at Vernon's Eaux Claires festival. In the meantime, let's take a look at what Vernon’s been up to since 2011.

July 22, 2011: With an official proclamation from the mayor, the City of Milwaukee declares July 22 to be Bon Iver Day, “in recognition of Justin Vernon/Bon Iver’s Wisconsin and Milwaukee ties.” It’s also the day that Vernon kicks off his international tour in support of Bon Iver, which was released a month prior.

August 24, 2011: Music fans rejoice as Vernon releases a collaboration with James Blake, “Fall Creek Boys Choir.” It appears on Blake’s Enough Thunder EP later that year, and marks the first of several songs the two work on together in the years to come.

September 24, 2012: After over a full year of touring, Vernon states in a Minnesota Public Radio interview that he’s “winding down” the Bon Iver project. “I look at it like a faucet. I have to turn it off and walk away from it because so much of how that music comes together is subconscious or discovering,” he tells The Current's David Campbell. “There’s so much attention on the band, it can be distracting at times. I really feel the need to walk away from it while I still care about it. And then if I come back to it—if at all—I’ll feel better about it and be renewed or something to do that.”

January 25, 2013: Vernon’s blues-focused side project the Shouting Matches is announced to be performing at Coachella 2013. Meanwhile, a representative for Bon Iver’s label Jagjaguwar states “the band is at work on new material together.”

May 25, 2013: Volcano Choir, the side project Vernon formed in 2009 with fellow Wisconsin band Collections of Colonies of Bees, announces their sophomore album and a North American tour.

June 18, 2013: Kanye West releases his sixth studio album, Yeezus. Vernon once again makes an appearance, co-writing and contributing vocals on “I Am a God” as well as singing additional parts on “I’m In It” and “Hold My Liquor.” (During a recent interview with Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1, West lauded Vernon as his “favorite living artist.”)

July 25, 2013: Following his cover of Bon Iver’s “Flume,” Peter Gabriel taps Vernon and co. to do a cover of “Come Talk to Me.”