Live from Cape Cod: Bearded Beach Bliss

Just returned from a fairytale week of bearded beach bliss in Cape Cod, and I swear I’m still on a non amphetamine-induced high. As if escaping New York and going to hang at the beach for a week isn't enough – I also had the pleasure of just chillin' with and seeing TWO absolutely amazing performances from You Bet Your Beard friends/loyal readers/reasons for living- Bon Iver and Dave Godowsky.

As my 5 regular blog readers can attest, I am rarely at a loss for words. I have also seen at least 100(give or take) Bon Iver shows to date by now – but without fail, each one manages to surpass the last by immeasurable proportions, knock the wind out of me and leave me completely speechless(then make me The Promise and bring me back to life). The extraordinary talent of these four musicians individually is mind-blowing enough(as is Bon Iver's debut album, For Emma, purchase here), but the sheer musical ecstasy that results when they come together on stage – something beyond earthly excellence, just so much larger than life.

The two sold-out Bon Iver performances at the charming Cape Cinema theater fell nothing short of absolute bearded perfection, as per usual. And for me, the intimate atmosphere and lovely opening “ballads” from Dave Godowsky added something extra special to these particular shows. Other highlights included the horn-blowing magnificence of John Dehaven on For Emma, Flume and Wolves, and the brilliantly talented Mr. Cape Cod himself, Nate Vernon, snare drummin’ away on Lump Sum. Both nights also included some killer covers – a track from New Buffalo, one from Yo La Tengo(super cool) and my personal favorite - a beautifully harmonized cover of The Jayhawk’s “Tampa to Tulsa.” Everything was perfect and touching and immaculate...and the afterparty didn't suck either.

So to the Boys of Brewster Flats: a heartfelt thank you for a truly surreal weekend. beautiful music. beautiful people. you guys are the greatest.

And to the rest of you: If for some reason you’ve been living in a hole (or a remote cabin in the Wisconsin woods without access to anything except lumberwood and Northern Exposure dvds) and have not yet had the honor of submerging yourself in th’ocean of Bon Iver’s brilliant music, please do yourself a favor and get balls deep in it immediately. It will put hair on your beard, warmth in your heart and life in your soul. multiple beardgasms will ensue. and a Lover’s Waltz will turn until the end.

Buy Bon Iver’s album and EP here. Download Godowsky’s music for free here. And check out a ton of videos from the shows (pls note: Blood Bank dedication to me and Jules. no biggie.) below.