Justin Vernon Pairs with Hometown Luthier to Create a Custom Bushmills Whiskey Barrel Guitar, Proceeds to Benefit Charity

Justin Vernon has teamed up with his hometown friend and master luthier Gordy Bischoff to develop “The 1608″ – a custom baritone guitar made with original white oak wood from Bushmills Irish Whiskey barrels. It’s all for Bushmills’ Since Way Back program, which pairs artists with other artisans and businesses to develop unique pieces that reflect each of their passions. Justin and Gordy tell you more about this special endeavor in the video above.

“The goal is to put art back on the map in Eau Claire. Far too many artists from this area have had to leave because what we want to do with our lives just isn’t possible here. That’s what the Confluence Project is: to build a center that can be a nucleus for art here in Eau Claire.” – Justin Vernon

Starting today until November 22, “The 1608″ will be auctioned off via ebay. Proceeds will benefit The Confluence Project, which intends to construct a new Community Arts Center at the confluence of Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers in Eau Claire, WI. Bid on “The 1608″ guitar.

Bon Iver, Bushmills, and POLICA

Bon Iver is participating in the Bushmills “Since Way Back” promotion, which “celebrates the lives and brotherly relationships of artists and influencers across the world, and collaborates with each to produce creative, inspired content that reflects each of his passions.” There are painted billboards and printed ads featuring Justin Vernon, manager Nate Vernon, manager Kyle Frenette and Audio Engineer Brian Joseph. Justin and Nate’s father said in a statement via facebook status, “I’ve raised my boys to enjoy the finer things in life: whiskey among friends.” Our favorite part?  Justin is wearing a Jagjaguwar shirt in the photos. He interviewed at GQ, saying “we’re enjoying the shit out of it.”

Dan Huiting of MPLS.tv filmed the Bushmills after party of Bon Iver’s last show in Boston. The campaign gets a much-needed shot of estrogen with use of incredible new music by POLICA – the new musical project by Channy from GAYNGS. At the POLICA site you can hear “Dark Star” as well as “Lay Your Cards Out” featuring Bon Iver’s Mike Noyce.