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| Volcano Choir | |
|---|---|
| Name | Volcano Choir |
| Background | group_or_band |
| Origin | Wisconsin; United States |
| Years active | 2005–2014 |
| Associated acts | Bon Iver, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Justin Vernon, Felix Walworth, Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans |
| Label | Jagjaguwar, Jagjaguwar (record label), Dead Oceans (record label) |
Volcano Choir is an American indie rock collaboration formed in Wisconsin that brought together members of Collections of Colonies of Bees and Bon Iver for experimental, ambient, and post-rock projects. The group released two studio albums and toured across North America, Europe, and select venues in Asia, garnering attention from publications such as Pitchfork, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and NME. Volcano Choir's work intersected with labels and institutions including Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans, and festivals like Pitchfork Music Festival and South by Southwest.
Volcano Choir originated when members of Collections of Colonies of Bees and singer-songwriter Justin Vernon of Bon Iver began collaborating in the mid-2000s, initially recording material at studios in Madison, Wisconsin and at April Base Studios. The ensemble's debut album, recorded with producers and engineers associated with Justin Vernon's projects, was released on Jagjaguwar, leading to festival appearances at South by Southwest, Pitchfork Music Festival, and End of the Road Festival. Following the release of a second album produced in association with Bon Iver collaborators and mixed by engineers connected to Twin Cities recording scenes, the project became largely dormant as members returned to primary acts such as Bon Iver, Collections of Colonies of Bees, and other side projects, though occasional one-off performances reunited the lineup at events promoted by Sub Pop-adjacent promoters and independent venues.
The core lineup included vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Justin Vernon (known for work with Bon Iver and Gayngs), guitarist and composer Thomas Wincek (also of Collections of Colonies of Bees and collaborator with Field Report), drummer Matt Amidon/percussion contributors drawn from the Madison music scene, bassist and multi-instrumentalist Nick Principe (linked to regional acts and session work), and keyboard/arrangement contributors such as Chris Rosenau and Jon Mueller, both associated with Collections of Colonies of Bees and ensembles like Shepherds and Mad Men. Touring and studio collaborators included engineers and producers with credits for Sufjan Stevens, The National, and Wilco.
Volcano Choir's sound merged elements of indie rock with experimental ambient music, post-rock, and layered vocal harmonies reminiscent of Bon Iver while incorporating production techniques associated with electronica and avant-garde improvisation. The group's arrangements showed influence from artists and movements such as Brian Eno, Steve Reich, Sigur Rós, and the Minneapolis--Madison, Wisconsin indie/art rock scenes, reflecting connections to labels like Jagjaguwar and collectives surrounding Dead Oceans. Critics noted parallels to contemporaries including Radiohead, Animal Collective, and Grizzly Bear, alongside compositional approaches found in works by Philip Glass and field-recording-inflected releases by Fennesz and Alva Noto.
- 2009: Debut studio album released on Jagjaguwar, featuring collaborations with producers and mixers linked to Justin Vernon and the Madison studio community. The album received coverage in outlets such as Pitchfork and The Guardian. - 2013: Second studio album, issued via Jagjaguwar/Dead Oceans-associated distribution, expanded the group's sonic palette with denser arrangements and orchestral textures. Singles and promotional tracks were highlighted by Rolling Stone, NME, and regional radio programs on stations like KEXP. - Additional releases included limited-edition vinyl pressings and contributions to compilation projects curated by labels like Jagjaguwar and festival compilation CDs tied to South by Southwest and Pitchfork Music Festival.
Volcano Choir performed at prominent festivals including Pitchfork Music Festival, South by Southwest, and curated stages at End of the Road Festival and Le Guess Who?. The band toured venues across North America and Europe, appearing at clubs and theaters in cities such as New York City, Chicago, London, Paris, and Amsterdam, with promoters and booking agents connected to indie circuits like Agent for the Artists and independent promoters who work with acts such as Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens. Live shows emphasized expansive arrangements, onstage improvisation, and stage production approaches that drew from festival staging practices used by Radiohead and Sigur Rós.
Critical response ranged from enthusiastic coverage in Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian praising the project's ambition and production, to more mixed reviews in outlets like NME and regional press that debated its coherence relative to members' main projects. The band's two records are frequently cited in discussions of cross-pollination between indie rock collectives and chamber-pop experimentation in the 2000s and 2010s, influencing younger acts within the Madison and Minneapolis scenes as well as collaborators who later worked with artists on Jagjaguwar and Dead Oceans rosters. Volcano Choir's legacy is often framed alongside the broader careers of Justin Vernon, Collections of Colonies of Bees, and the resurgence of artist-led independent production exemplified by studios like April Base Studios.
Category:American musical groups Category:Indie rock musical groups from Wisconsin