In the winter of 2006, Justin Vernon, a 25-year-old struggling indie
musician, retreated to his dads remote log cabin in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to repair his broken heart.

While there he wrote nine songs, which became the album 'For Emma, Forever Ago'. This month it was voted the Observer Music Monthly's Album of the Year for 2008.

To read the full article go to: www.guardian.co.uk/music

Produced by POLITE COMPANY for the Observer Music Monthly.