Bon Iver by Jenna Diven

       The Hipster Handbook defines a hipster as "someone who possesses taste, social attitudes, and opinions deemed cool by the cool." The Handbook goes on to explain that hipsters reject anything near the mainstream. They attempt to refrain from doing anything that everyone else is doing. But, behind this love of individualism  is the same conformist attitude possessed by the type of people they despise. By doing the opposite of the masses, they became their own social circle, with everyone in that circle doing the same thing. This point of view is hypocritical to say the least.       Bon Iver epitomizes everything that is cliche about hipsters. The band categorizes themselves as an American folk band and they were created by Justin Vernon, an indie singer.  In an interview with The Current, Justin Vernon announced that he was taking a step back from music. Ideally we would assume that the band member's hiatus was caused by their need to reconnect with their families or that they decided to devote their lives to charity work and reading to underprivileged children. At the very least we could figure they realized that a full-time music career isn't what they wanted for their lives. Vernon, representing Bon Iver, was quoted saying "There's so much attention to the band...it can be distracting at times." Unfortunately, Bon Iver chose to quit making music because they become too popular. They became cool, and they didn't want the fame. If there were ever an example of people who resist the mainstream, this is it.        Many Bon Iver fans will be disappointed with this news. If anything, we should be worried about the message that Bon Iver has sent to the masses. Some would say that he's courageous for capping his fame before he became crazy from it. The truth is that Vernon is only thinking of himself and not of the kids that he could inspire or the people of all ages who would be motivated by his humble success. By handling fame and retaining his original morals, he could be an excellent example of a resistance to the corruption that seems to be an inevitable consequence of fortune and fame. Instead, they all chose to take a break when their journey stopped being so easy. The hipster attitude derailed Bon Iver's influence on the world. Just another casualty.

Works cited:
Bell, Anthony. "Bon Iver 'Winding It Down'" Allmedainy.com. All Me Diany, 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 11    Nov. 2012. <http://www.allmediany.com/articles/4812-bon-iver-winding-it-down-but-not-quitting-says-label>.

Lanham, Robert. The Hipster Handbook. Anchor Books, 2002. Digital file.

Mason-Campbell, Nilina. "Bon Iver." Pitchfork. Hall of Game, 27 May 2008. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7502-bon-iver/>