Justin Vernon Quotes

I knew I could never give up on music. Completely devoid of any religious or iconic context, I felt like music was handed down to me - this is what I was going to do. ~ Justin Vernon

Towers' is the name of the dormitory that I lived in in college; it's made up of these two towers – North and South – my girlfriend lived in one and I lived in the other. It's about falling in love, but also about what happens when you've long fallen out of love and those reminders are still there. You drive by them, these two buildings, and you look, and you realise that we really built that up. That we really built that love into these things, and for a long time afterward looking at them really made me feel sad; to see these empty buildings that I don't go in to anymore. But then, as time goes on, they start to become kind of joyous in their own way: you can look at them and think 'that love was great and these buildings still stand tall'. But there's also an element of the fact that they're just buildings – they're gonna fall down one day, and they're not that important because there's new love in your life and you've got to break things down that get built up. ~ Justin Vernon

A lot of people change their band names because they're looking for a change of atmosphere. ~ Justin Vernon

I think that's all I want in life, just like peace and be able to make music and like have happiness when it's time off. Spend time with people and family, whatever. ~ Justin Vernon

The falsetto stuff, it must be a reaction to the black gospel singers that I really enjoy listening to. ~ Justin Vernon

I do think that our culture or our psyche as a country I guess, the world or whatever, we're due for a huge event. We're due for a little bit of a revolution or a spotlight or a movement. Something that feels large, something that feels like the 60s. Some sort of unification. ~ Justin Vernon

I really have to be in a specific headspace to even begin to illuminate an idea that would create another Bon Iver record, and I'm just not there. ~ Justin Vernon

I don't have like whatever, so I'm just like, "Oh man, I'm just going to try to stay out of most people's way and get a taco and enjoy myself as much as I can," because it's such a beautiful town. Beautiful weather. I called my dad that day to tell him what was going on with my passport and he was like, "Yeah it snowed four inches today. It's ten degrees outside." I'm just like, "Cool. I'm glad I'm in Austin, no matter what." ~ Justin Vernon

It's dangerous when music gets cornered by anything. ~ Justin Vernon

What happens between people is so misunderstood even between the people who are having the sex. ~ Justin Vernon

I didn't grow up with indie rock - I mean, I listened to bands that are considered indie rock, but I think that term is dead and uninteresting. ~ Justin Vernon

I know too many musicians that have to tour on the same 10 songs, and they burn out. They get back to their house, and they have no reason to write new music. They are music'd out. ~ Justin Vernon

Honestly, before I settled on a name for the Bon Iver project in general, Chigliak was in the running for what I was going to name the band. ~ Justin Vernon

The reality is, if you're friends with somebody you should be able to be honest with them, and that honesty should be the biggest magnet to truth. ~ Justin Vernon

I don't find inspiration by just sitting down with a guitar anymore. I lost that. I started being so interested in other kinds of music. ~ Justin Vernon

I'm barely at home enough to enjoy the simple lifestyle that I want to live. ~ Justin Vernon

I can't see myself - I'm not really looking so far ahead in the future. I know that I kind of need to live in the country even though I'm not - my house isn't in the country right now. I bought a house, like a really tiny, cheap house in Wisconsin. ~ Justin Vernon

I'm just living in Eau Claire, not really leaving for much. I go to the farmers market, go to the studio, go home and play with my cats. I don't know if I've ever been this happy, which is really awesome. ~ Justin Vernon

The weird thing is I feel like I'm shedding skin so fast and I'm growing and I'm becoming a new person so quickly at a rate that I'm comfortable with, yet it seems faster and more steady than an other time in my life except 16, 17, 18. I just have to sit down and listen to the ideas I'm having. And I'm not worried. ~ Justin Vernon

I won't forget those kind of things, but I just want to write them down and look at them. It's almost like when things like music come out and you're listening to a song and you have experiences with art or phenomena that supersede your simple relationship with them as just a piece of art. They're more than that. That's just what those quote are for me. They're big, they're important. ~ Justin Vernon

I could go on and on and on about how we use the word 'place' in so many different ways. About how somebody might ask you 'Where you at?' And they're not asking where are you sitting, where are you living, they're asking: 'How are you doing? ~ Justin Vernon

Hopefully, most days, you're like, "This is sweet. I wake up and do the things that I do and I'm usually smiling." That's how my dad is with his job. ~ Justin Vernon

The songs started as a soundscapes, and then came the words and music; each song took at least a year to make. ~ Justin Vernon

The easiest thing to feel is sadness. ~ Justin Vernon

Emma is not a person; Emma is a place that you get stuck in; Emma is a pain that you cannot erase. ~ Justin Vernon

I don't want to get myself in trouble - and I don't think I'm super important or anything - but I think it's so funny that when you look at the business and the way that people make decisions in their lives, whether they're in art or music or they're in industry, they forget that being unique is the answer. ~ Justin Vernon

I just feel like why spend all my time doing something that makes me unhappy just to spend my time off thinking about how I have to go back to a job. It's such a vicious cycle that people get stuck in. But I'm also very lucky. I can't sit here too eagerly and say all that. ~ Justin Vernon

You're in a relationship because you need help, but that's not necessarily why you should be in a relationship. And that's skinny. It doesn't have weight. Skinny love doesn't have a chance because it's not nourished. ~ Justin Vernon

And it's been a process of digging through the songs and trying to make them born on stage again. I think they are very different. I think they come off very differently. I think they come off, I don't know if it's masculine or outward, extroverted than introverted. I didn't know. It's just been a process. ~ Justin Vernon

Some songs, some nights won't do anything for you, but people enjoy them and that's the job. The magic is finding those places to stand in the song and gain perspective. ~ Justin Vernon

There's a few times in the past when I wrote a song, and I put the words together, and they were very clear pictures, and I felt like I was putting together a really good story. But I don't think I was ever really able to stay on that. What I've sort of developed lyrically is more about the sound of the vocals and what they are. ~ Justin Vernon

It was all the things I wanted my music to be, but yet it wasn't grand and it wasn't obtuse - it wasn't overshooting, it wasn't undershooting, it was precise. The lyrics and the way that I was able to extract and excavate emotion within me. ~ Justin Vernon

Those old Appalachian singers use a falsetto sometimes. They can change their voices to sound high or low or really scratchy. When you're singing, usually you're trying to express some kind of pain or joy. I think that voice allows me to do a lot more of that. ~ Justin Vernon

With all the touring and distractions going on, I would get a sound together but I wouldn't have time to work on it. So I sat on the road with the sketches and saw how they revealed themselves emotionally. ~ Justin Vernon

For the most part, I've been influenced by black singers and singers I couldn't sound like. Whenever I tried to do a dark note or a bent note, I would just sound like Hootie And The Blowfish. ~ Justin Vernon

I don't know why you'd spend any of your time trying to remake something that you don't actually like. ~ Justin Vernon

I'm catching up. I'm satisfied with the show. I think I want to get better and better and keep building. It took a while to figure out how to do it. I didn't know how it was gonna go. I was just like, "I better book a show and just see what happens." ~ Justin Vernon

There's that whole thing that happens in relationships - you can love someone but, as soon as they stop loving you so unconditionally that they stop being themselves, it can be so dangerous. ~ Justin Vernon

Indie rock is just as susceptible - if not more susceptible - to all the gross things about people becoming total ass clowns in music, and only worrying about money and image. I'm not interested in being a part of that. ~ Justin Vernon

I am generalizing, of course, but in hip-hop, it's like you get this shine for using the word "pussy" a billion times, and I think that that's weirdly healthier than not doing it at all - even though I really hope it ends soon because, you know, how many decades can we do that? ~ Justin Vernon

I kind of miss writing songs the way that I used to write songs, in the sense that I would just sit down, and all these words that told a story would come out. There's one Bon Iver song called 'Blood Bank' that is more representative of an older lineage of songs, which I like and I sort of miss. But it just doesn't happen anymore for me. ~ Justin Vernon

Real person. real name. I won't divulge too much, but it's not a fake name. And it's not a fake person. I guess that's the best answer I can say: It's not a fake name and it's not a fake person. But it's not her real name and it's not a real person either. ~ Justin Vernon

You should be able to have happiness. If you don't have that, then you're not really bringing your whole self to the relationship. ~ Justin Vernon

I'm a creature of comfort. ~ Justin Vernon

I can pour myself into Bon Iver. It's a thing about self- and mental discovery, and those are all important things. But it's not 148-shows-over-a-year-and-a-half important, though. It's a machine, and it's money, and you just get put on this indie rock cart, and it's embarrassing. ~ Justin Vernon

I think I've always been aware of it with my music. I think growing up basically and having a lot to deal with and just slowing down and having something to say and something to retract from, I think I just knew that what I was doing was extremely honest. ~ Justin Vernon

I love touring, I love making records, but eventually all I want ... I want to score. I want people to ask me to score their film or use my songs in cinematic ways. I think the ultimate media is a story that you can watch and feel and have a musical moment to. I think it's my favorite. I love watching something when music is creating motion within the motion. ~ Justin Vernon

Someday my pain will mark you ~ Justin Vernon

I'm really honored that Bon Iver gives me a platform to do whatever I want, but there's only so much time you can spend digging through yourself before you become insular. I'm not in a hurry to go back to that temperature. ~ Justin Vernon

There's a large opportunity for Bon Iver to be a special thing, even from a business standpoint - just trying to do cooler things. Every band sells t-shirts and plays certain auditoriums, but I'm sick of being like everyone else, because I'm not. ~ Justin Vernon

Oftentimes I'll just overflow, and then I'll need to spend a week alone and not talk to anybody or call anybody. ~ Justin Vernon

I'm just happy and proud to be playing music every day. Recognition is really cool, but it can also be kind of scary. ~ Justin Vernon

It makes sense that that's part of the story and everything, but that's part of any story of any record - where was it record and how long and what were the people doing. I think people want to know where these events are made. That's why I like the word "record." ~ Justin Vernon

People gather details and comparisons but it doesn't really bother me or land on me of any sort. I don't know if I was ... Maybe I was influenced by them, maybe I wasn't, but I don't know. I was probably influenced by everything I've heard. So it doesn't bother me at all, but it doesn't sway me either. ~ Justin Vernon

No matter how much you care about a person, you have to be able to know that you can sit down at night and be happy with who you are without that person. That's really hard when you're a lonely emo kid. ~ Justin Vernon

I was by myself for a pretty long time. I needed to do that. I think everyone that I know has wanted to do that or needed to do that at some point. I think when you spend enough time when it's quiet around you and you don't open your mouth for three or four days, there's parts of your brain that can kind of rest. I think when we're out in the world and we have to talk to people, we edit ourselves. You know, we have to like, act a little bit. As honest as we may be as humans, when we're out here, we're all kind of wearing mirrors on our faces. You know, constantly reacting to how to react to the people around you. And I think when you're alone for a long enough time, you can feel a lot more peace. ~ Justin Vernon

The bad stuff might be over soon, but maybe the good stuff might be over soon. So you'd better figure out how to enjoy this life and participate in it. ~ Justin Vernon

I just understand ... I mean this may sound kind of bigheaded, bullheaded, or cumbersome, but when people say they've had a really deep experience with the record, like it caused a divorce or it like ... I've gotten all these stories. ~ Justin Vernon

My favorite idea is doing an all-night tent show starring my friend's band Marijuana Deathsquads, where everyone would wear super-loud headphones, and there would be tons of subs and lights. It'd be really dope. ~ Justin Vernon

You never have to change your scene because you're always comfortable with evolving. ~ Justin Vernon

I don't want the big flashing lights and red carpet, like, 'Here comes another Bon Iver album!' I just want it to be my bedroom-y thing. But that'll take a while to figure out. ~ Justin Vernon

I'm super happy to see the record doing its thing and for people to like it, but for me, I had a great victory just as a person. I overstepped countless obstacles by creating that record. And the record's a metaphor for the personal steps I [took] throughout the past year. ~ Justin Vernon

I'm trying to be like, "Hey, dude, you're super happy, this is everything you've ever dreamed of - if you don't have somebody to hold hands with right now, everything's going to be OK, bro." ~ Justin Vernon

There are decent people that I know who don't know how to treat their partner. It's been built up so hard and so high that people are afraid. ~ Justin Vernon

I began realizing that it wasn't important for me to concern myself with the perception of truth. ~ Justin Vernon

A lot of people are like, "How are you going to re-do it?" I'm not worried about what people are going to say because you know people are gonna be like, "It doesn't sound like this ... It sounds like this." I'm just going to make music that I know I'm supposed to make. ~ Justin Vernon

I feel like this thing [that] we're rocking back and forth like we're stuck in a snow bank and we all sort of know it. I feel like people are getting less and less pretentious and less and less hip - hopefully. ~ Justin Vernon

I could be worried about it if I had the wrong attitude. I don't think that I want my life and my daily occurrences to influence the direction. I don't want my daily life or my happiness to be a direct influence on music or my sadness. ~ Justin Vernon

I happen to be a fantastic kisser. Sadly, you will never get to find out."
"Never say never," he answers in a singsong voice.
"Thanks for that, Justin Bieber. But yeah, not going to happen, dude. ~ Elle Kennedy

I remember my mom saying, 'I will take you to every audition, I will support you, but the minute you stop caring about it, I will stop.' ~ Justin Timberlake

Why kill two birds with one stone? I go for the whole nest
I am not satisfied with my work unless someone's a bloody mess ~ Justin Bienvenue

All around the world, people want to be loved. ~ Justin Bieber

Two times twice now, I have been called arrogant, by the decadent.

I'd rather be overly self confident, rather than overly self indulgent. ~ Justin K. McFarlane Beau

The greatest pleasure of reading consists in re-reading. ~ Vernon Lee

First,
quit picking old wounds
and going for walks in the aches
and pains you already made it through -
you call it healing, but
it sounds like a good way
to take a haunting home with you. ~ Ashe Vernon

Slowly, I opened my eyes and turned toward the other side of my bed. Damn. For being ~ Magan Vernon

I sort of locked into the idea that if I could be the perfect son to both of my parents, well maybe that would be enough to keep them together. And ultimately, obviously, it wasn't. Regardless of what I tried to do. That was a lesson about limitations. ~ Justin Trudeau

I feel that I'm more of a speed player, being able to rush the edge with a lot of speed coming around the corner. But I also have the athletic ability to cover and play in space. ~ Justin Cole

New York is a great place to be if you want to make an impact and be involved in charities or philanthropic organizations like my wife and I are. ~ Justin Tuck

I love boats. Boats are great. You can get all kinds of places and meet all kinds of interesting people, and you never know if they're going to try to eat you or worship you. ~ Ursula Vernon

I hate prophesies! All they're good for is an extra club to beat yourself up with after the fact. ~ Ursula Vernon

Study carefully the law of cause and effect. ~ Vernon Howard

Our shared histories and common values make us natural trading partners and we will continue to work with both the United Kingdom and the European Union as we move forward with this new decision. ~ Justin Trudeau

Interviewer: "What keeps you grounded?" Bieber: "Gravity." Interviewer: "What's up, Justin?" Bieber: "The sky, man." ~ Justin Bieber

That evening, Dudley paraded around the living room for the family in his brand new uniform ... As he looked at Dudley in his new knickerbockers, Uncle Vernon said gruffly that if was the proudest moment of his life. Aunt Petunia burst into tears and said she couldn't believe it was her Ickle Dudleykins, he looked so handsome and grown-up. Harry didn't trust himself to speak. He thought two of his ribs might already have cracked from trying not to laugh. ~ J.K. Rowling

If you can stay back, you can wait an extra split-second longer, and then you become more relaxed, and that's when you gain confidence. ~ Justin Morneau

Yes and no. I thought maybe there could be something more, but I couldn't deny that I still wanted you in the dirtiest ways." He ran his thumb along the seam of my jeans. "Then I watched you crumble. I never expected you to get that call from the doctor and watching you break made me see a whole other side of you. I want to be your knight in shining armor. To take away the pain. I've never felt like this before and whatever we have, I don't want to lose it. I don't care if it's just starting and may be the most fucked up thing. I just want to give it a try. So please call me? ~ Magan Vernon

There was something in the pages of these books that had the power to make him feel better about things, a life raft to cling to before the dark currents of memory washed him downstream again, and on brighter days, he could even see himself going on this way for some time. A small but passable life.
And then, of course, the end of the world happened. ~ Justin Cronin

When he decided they weren't police, he realized he'd been thinking maybe they were. ~ Justin Cronin

Do not despise or hate your neighbor because he has been a success; take care of your own case. ~ William Tecumseh Vernon

Ace let out a deep breath, squeezing my hand and then letting go. "I know how hard this all is for you and I'm sorry that I haven't been more receptive. I promise from now on I will try my hardest to let you in more. Tell you more about my world and everything that makes me tick."
I took his hand and pulled it up to my lips, barely grazing his knuckles. "Deal. ~ Magan Vernon

There are so many people who want to get together to have a great prayer meeting or other great gatherings. Friend, have you ever tried being alone? That is where God will meet with you. Take the Word of God and go off alone with Him. It will do you a lot of good. ~ J. Vernon McGee

We all learn to carry so much unnecessary regret. We drag it around behind ourselves and wear it sewn into the inner lining of our shadow. I think that the heart of every ghost story ever told is awash with the soft faded autumnal color of pure unredeemable regret. ~ Steve Vernon

I don't think you should have sex with anyone unless you love them.I think you should just wait for the person you'rein love with. ~ Justin Bieber

The answers come when you are quietly willing to be without them. ~ Vernon Howard

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want you
I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish you were mine
The truth is, you stole my heart from afar
The truth is, you still have it. ~ Justin Wetch

When I get off a flight, I'm not trying to sit there and let them take pictures of me. I'm tired. I'm scratching my eyes. I just don't like taking pictures in general. ~ Justin Bieber

Surely--we argue--it is safer to make, at the Morning Offering, a virtual intention covering all the day, and then carry on with practical common sense.
This sounds excellent in theory, but too often it breaks down in practice and merely ends in the making of the Morning Offering, while we slip through the day on a purely natural plane till we arrive at our prayers in the evening; and it is precisely our habit of thus meeting the smallest actions of our daily life on the natural plane which makes them more than we can cope with. Divorced from their true purpose, that of leading us out of ourselves to God and to our fellow-men, they imprison us within ourselves and make us give way to self-pity and discontent.
On the other hand, if we do everything to please Our Lord we shall find ourselves becoming more and more alert to help others and far more conscious of the endless little opportunities around us, the value of which we had never realized before. ~ Vernon Johnson

Just as surely as distress must follow self-deceit, healing must follow self-honesty. ~ Vernon Howard

Don't think you're some kind of snowflake, suit guy. I'm a bitch to everyone. ~ Magan Vernon