The Sound of (Wisconsin) Music

  1. “Skinny Love”; Bon Iver — Fronted by Eau Claire native and UW-Eau Claire alum Justin Vernon, this indie folk band won Grammy Awards in 2012 for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album. Bon Iver’s debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago was written by Vernon while spending three months at his father’s cabin in Medford. Fun Fact: on Justin Vernon’s chest, just under his collarbone, there is a tattoo of the state of Wisconsin, with the six counties he knows best outlined.

  2. “Closer to Free”; BoDeans — Started by Kurt Neumann and Sam Llanas when they met at Waukesha South High School in Waukesha, the BoDeans are best known for their alternative rock and heartland rock styles. Fun Fact: it is rumored the band’s name originated from Beverly Hillbillies character Jethro Bodine, though this has been denied by Neumann.

  3. “Smile”; The Gufs — This pop and rock band was created by UW-Milwaukee students Goran Kralj and Scott Schwebel in 1988; they were later joined by Kralj’s brother Dejan, as well as Marquette student and Milwaukee native Morgan Dawley.  Fun Fact: The band took second place at a battle of the bands at Marquette University in 1991.

  4. “Blister in the Sun”; Violent Femmes — Violent Femmes are an alternative rock band from Milwaukee.  They have been off and on since 1980, and were initially discovered while busking outside of the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee. Fun Fact: The Femmes first album has sold millions of copies. Their newest album has sold hundreds of copies.

  5. “Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)”; Citizen King — Formed in 1993, this Milwaukee band’s style was a mix of hip-hop, soul, punk and pop. Fun Fact: Their song “Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out) was used on both the pilot and series finale episodes of “Malcom in the Middle.”

  6. “We’re In This Love Together”; Al Jarreau — Seven-time Grammy winner Al Jarreau was born and raised in Milwaukee and attended Ripon College.  An accomplished jazz singer, Jarreau initially gained international exposure from the likes of Johnny Carson and Saturday Night Live. Fun Fact: in 2001 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

  7. “Truth Is”; Brother Ali — Born in Madison, Brother Ali is a hip hop artist and producer. Fun Fact: He converted to Islam at age 15.

  8. “They Don’t Know”; Rico Love aka Richard Preston Butler Jr. — Rico Love is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and record producer. He has worked with artists including Usher, Beyoncé, Nelly, T.I., Kelly Rowland and more. His mother raised him partly in Milwaukee. Fun Fact: He was mentored by Sean Combs, (aka P. Diddy).

  9. “Chopsticks”; Liberace — Born in West Allis, Wladziu Valentino Liberace was a well-known pianist and vocalist. Though he adamantly denied being gay, he was known for his flamboyant stage presence and television work. Fun Fact: at the end of a classical concert in La Crosse in 1939, he reportedly played the comedy song “Three Little Fishies,” in the style of several different classical composers.

  10. “How High the Moon”; Lester William Polsfuss, aka Les Paul — Best known for his pioneering of the solid-body electric guitar, which was instrumental in the emergence of rock ‘n’ roll, Les Paul was also a sound innovator, songwriter and guitarist. Fun Fact: He is one of the few artists with a permanent, stand-alone exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

  11. “I Can’t Get Started”; Roland Bernard “Bunny” Berigan — Berigan was a swing-era jazz trumpeter, was born in Hilbert, raised in Fox Lake and attended the UW-Madison. His 1937 recording of “I Can’t Get Started,” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1975. Fun Fact: Berigan was a musical child prodigy.