Haley Bonar – “Kill The Fun” (Stereogum Premiere)
As the origin story goes, a 20-year-old Haley Bonar was playing at an open mic run by Low’s Alan Sparhawk when Sparhawk plucked her from obscurity and spirited her off to open for Low on tour the very next day, her Honda Civic crammed with her belongings, her college education paused indefinitely. (I guess, like Drake, seeing her family have it all took the place of that desire for diplomas on the wall.) Ten years later, she’s a respected singer-songwriter preparing to release her fifth full-length, Last War. Justin Vernon guests on the album, which was recorded in part at Dave Grohl’s 606 Studio with band members who’ve also done time with Andrew Bird. But “Kill The Fun,” the song we’re premiering today, is all about Bonar. It’s a fervent yet ornate folk-pop tune whose title belies its upbeat disposition. Listen below.