In 2007 they self released their first album, "For Emma, Forever Ago". In 2008 the independent record label Jagjaguwar released it in the United States. It sold over 30,000 copies in its first three months. 4AD later released the album in the UK and Europe. The first single from the album was "Skinny Love". In 2008 Bon Iver designed a T-shirt for the Yellow Bird Project.