It’s not often that our dreams become the real deal but in this case triple j-approved, Aussie-grown 22-year-old muso Gordi (Sophie Payten) bedazzled the people of America on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. And that’s not the best part – Bon Iver recruited the Sydney singer to join the band in the big NYC.

You read it right, one of our Unearthed favourites turned US label artist was spied lending her vocals as part of the ‘Fallon Choir’.

Usually one would think scoring a gig like this would be one hell of a process, lucky for Gordi, Bon Iver is actually signed under the same US label, Jagjaguwar.

All it took was for management to reach out and pitch the idea, though a bleary eyed, post-Melbourne gig Gordi totally misinterpreted the offer at first.

“We’d just played a show in Melbourne and had quite a big night. Got home at 5am and my manager said ‘I just got this email from Bon Iver’s management’. I read it and I was like ‘what’s a Fallon choir?!” she told triple j.

After sleeping off the big night and sleeping on the proposition for a little more clarity, all arrangements and decisions were made quick smart.

Diving head first into flights, rehearsals and recordings, a nice tab was supplied for the Gordi and friends to enjoy the Jimmy Fallon Show which was to air a few hours after they left the studios.

Let’s hope the unexpected networking leads Gordi to a spot on Bon Iver’s album tour…

Bon Iver is due to release 22, A Million September 30th and Gordi’s EP, Clever Disguise, is out now.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine