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Happy Bon Iver Day!

Photo: Wendy Redfern/2011 Wendy Redfern
Justin Vernon. Photo: Wendy Redfern/2011 Wendy Redfern

Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett has declared today Bon Iver day. Really! The statement: “The City of Milwaukee joins community members and supporting fans on the occasion of Bon Iver’s international tour kicking off at the Riverside Theater on Friday, July 22, 2011; and, WHEREAS, Bon Iver was founded in 2007 by Justin Vernon in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he continues to record music in a new state-of-the-art recording studio; and, WHEREAS, Bon Iver’s music embraces Justin Vernon’s Wisconsin heritage, as he has become an international ambassador for both Milwaukee and Wisconsin, while they travel across the world playing music and interact with national media; and, WHEREAS, Bon Iver’s self-titled album debuted at number two on the Billboard charts in June 2011, and has gained attention from The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, SPIN Magazine, ‘Late Night with David Letterman’, ‘The Colbert Report’ and ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’; and, WHEREAS, The City of Milwaukee joins supporting fans to enjoy the entertaining performance of Bon Iver and commends the band for their musical accomplishments; NOW, THEREFORE, I, TOM BARRETT, Mayor of the City of Milwaukee, do hereby proclaim Friday, July 22, 2011, to be BON IVER DAY throughout the City of Milwaukee.” Celebrate by weeping quietly. [Pitchfork]

Happy Bon Iver Day!