May 30, 2016
Like a chapter right out of a musical fantasy, The National's Bryce Dessner has recruited log-time collaborator Justin Vernon in an intrepid new project. It's titled Invisible Bridge and is taking place on the 25th of September at Paris's Philharmonie. Along with the folk singer, he has recruited his brother Aaron Dessner along with pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque and contemporary classical group eighth blackbird for the one-off performance.
The Ohio rockers have been up to various projects lately, including their recent Grateful Dead tribute. The compilation features artists from all corners of the music genre. Some of them including the Unknown Mortal Orchestra, TV on the Radio, Anohni, Sonic Youth, Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett. Dessner's brother Aaron and Vernon are also preparing for their second annual curated festival, Eaux Claires, taking place this August in Vernon's hometown of Eau Clair, Wisconsin.
The event has been described as a unique marriage of classical and contemporary music and orchestration: "Passing nimbly between rock and contemporary music, Bryce Dessner cultivates the art of collaboration with shared compositions and performances. For this concert, he brings together guests from a variety of backgrounds: his brother and close collaborator Aaron Dessner (The National), singer Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), and the Labèque sisters."
We hope that this project goes as well as their much-vaunted compilation. Also, with that out of the way, we hope that we can finally get some new music. Our copy of Trouble Will Find Me is getting pretty worn out.
Image: Pitchfork