Collaborations in the Spirit of Eaux Claires

Now in its fourth year, the Eaux Claires Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is the brainchild of native son Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver), who founded the festival to highlight artists and community.

This year, no bands were announced prior to the festival, leaving fans to trust Vernon and company's ability to curate a highly unique experience that leans heavily on collaborations between the acts and artists-in-residence. Two students from the Berklee Popular Music Institute were offered the chance to help with many aspects of the festival this year, from working artist relations to stage production.

In the spirit of the work that happens at the intersection of art and community, take a listen to this Spotify playlist to hear songs that have come out of similar kinds of collaborations, from the expected (Vernon with his longtime collaborators from the band the National) to the unexpected (electronic artist Kieran Hebden and famed jazz drummer Steve Reid).