The North Carolina roots of brothers Brad and Phil Cook should explain the twang that emanates out of their “mini-album” but Heretofore is just as steeped in the ethereal folk of third member Joe Westerlund’s native Eau Claire, WI — home to like-minded songwriters Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Peter Wolf Crier of Peter Pisano. Call it a difference of two halves. Heretofore’s opening title track starts slow but builds to a charging stomp, giving way to the breezy AM rock of “Carolina Days”. “Eagle” and “Volunteers” both come straight off the back porch, slip-slidin’ on simple descending guitar riffs (the former) and Appalachian banjo lines (the latter). By the time “Comprovisation for Connor Pass” — an eleven-minute foray into some deep, stoned abyss — rolls around, Megafaun’s moved from the porch back to Eau Claire. “Comprovisation” and harmony-heavy closer “Bonnie’s Song” are decidedly more laid-back and somehow even more beard-friendly than the front-end of this sufficient holdover to an unnamed LP set for release later this fall.

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Buy Megafaun records at Other Music or iTunes. Heretofore will be released September 14. After the jump, check out an intimate live performance of “Bonnie’s Song”.