Ever wondered how a song can feel both effortlessly organic and meticulously crafted? Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and Jim-E Stack recently sat down with Billboard to discuss the creation of ‘Day One’ from their collaborative album SABLE, fABLE alongside Dijon and Flock of Dimes. But here’s where it gets fascinating: this track wasn’t born from traditional songwriting. Instead, it emerged almost fully formed from a sample provided by Sam—a raw, unaltered gem that still took two years to refine. And this is the part most people miss: despite its simplicity, the process of ‘supplying the oxygen’—adding layers, transcribing chords, and experimenting with MIDI keyboards—was anything but straightforward.
Justin Vernon reflects, ‘As soon as I heard that demo, the melody was just there. It felt Dijon-wise, you know?’ Yet, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. Jim-E Stack chimes in, ‘We had to get the homies involved, but honestly, we didn’t add much at first.’ This raises a controversial question: Does minimal intervention make a song more authentic, or does the magic lie in the layers we don’t always hear?
Vernon recalls transcribing chords and adding MIDI elements to give the track ‘more weight,’ while Jim-E Stack praises the song’s creative success, particularly the unconventional drum pattern that defies traditional rhythms. ‘Classic Jimmy drums—no two and four, yet it blew my mind,’ he notes. Meanwhile, Vernon shares a humorous anecdote about struggling with ‘tasteful’ drum samples in LA, only to realize they weren’t the right fit. ‘It just wasn’t it,’ he admits.
This behind-the-scenes look at ‘Day One’ not only highlights the artists’ collaborative genius but also challenges our assumptions about creativity. Is less truly more in music production? Or does the real artistry lie in knowing when to step back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions. Keep watching for more insights into the making of SABLE, fABLE!
