the beauty of this man goes beyond his physical appearance, the way he talks about his songwriting and his art really is what makes this man so interesting and "sexy"
I'm confused. Are there really people upset that Sufjan Stevens might be a REAL christian as opposed to someone like Billy Graham or the creepy old man who can leg press 7000 pounds:Pat Robertson? From what I've read, he's not a big fan of THE CHURCH. Though he does look a little silly in the wings, he's a truly great singer/songwriter. I BUY his albums despite being an ATHEIST and despite the wings. If he's a GAY CHRISTIAN, so what? If he's not, so what? He creates beautiful, insightful, heartbreaking work. Michelangelo- probably gay, probably Christian or at least a theist of some sort- big deal. Michelangelo's work- BIG DEAL.
+Steve DiBattiste As someone who never cared much about religion, I have always felt like Christianity has a very nice mysticism, I get that entering a cathedral even if I never read the Bible. Sufjan being christian adds a further layer of depth to his music, and I appreciate it a lot.
My Friend shared Sufjan Stevens music with me a few moons back and I fell in love with his Story and how his Music is like listening to his Autobiography thru the lyrics ~ Thank you my Friend for sharing his Music with me ~ What a treat it was to listen to him and knowing now that he is from my Home State ~ May GOD Continue to Bless You One Day At A Time ~ Peace from Above ~ Sleep Well ~ My Friend...
Thank you for posting this. I agree that his music is going in a symphonic direction. I think he could compose something classical. He's very intelligent and articulate in addition to being a wacky genius. I can't wait for him to put more music out, because everything he does fascinates and moves me, including his interviews, amazingly enough.
awesome interview....i think the same way about song writing and he helped me explore/understand those ideas better..i love when the interviewer gets them to talk about their song-writing and approach thx sufjan
This was after a concert on the show Austin City Limits 2006-11-04. I don't know where the room is, as I'm in Australia but I downloaded the whole concert on emule.
Why are so many people so passionately, profoundly determined to prove that ... he ... is ... not ... gay? Why is it necessary to be absolutely sure 24 hours a day that Sufjan Stevens is 101% heterosexual? I don't get it. Is it really necessary to know that a singer is heterosexual in order to enjoy his music?? Is only music by heterosexuals worth listening to? I can't figure this thing out.
I really enjoy and am moved by Sufjan Stevens' work. But after reading through the comments, I was disturbed to see him practically deified. He's a very talented and insightful artist- but are any of you folks a friend of his, a band-mate, an ex? No. And even if you were or are, deification is a disservice- in my opinion- to an artist.
Deification? People always heavily compliment the artists they love. Music produces such strong feelings in people, and so all the praise is just people trying to share how much they value his music. Praise be to our Holy Father Sufjan.
he's such a brilliant guy. you can tell he puts so much heart and thought and soul into his music. i love how he compares detroit to his stepsibling, that's kind of cute.
No word of an tour. Hopefully he will release a new album first and then go on a tour but there hasn't been much news on what he is working on right now.
i can not believe he has so little music theory, his harmonies and chordal progressions are genius, and i love his use of texture, especially in out of egypt
"I think my music is going in a symphonic direction...I'm really not sure if I have the skill or the capacity to do so." And then about two years later comes The BQE. Congrats friend.
He's so cute; I never knew that! I was intro'd to his Illinoise album a couple years ago and became a fan but never looked up a visual. He looks like a kid-brother to Gavin Rossdale...
Sufjan is beautiful in every aspect he's shared with us. Speaking only for myself, I feel a connection with him because of the way he is soft spoken, thoughtful, and how his lyrics are so beautiful, conflicted, filled with pain and joy. In my experience, people I identify with in this manner, who are reserved about their private love life, are gay. I'm gay. I do not mean to demean him in anyway. People who think that this speculation is mean-spirited should reevaluate their own prejudices.
@starkDeath I can see how you would think he's self-absorbed here, but he does make the point that he uses personal history as a starting point because he feels it's the most reliable. He always works with lots of people and having been lucky enough to have seen him live in Dublin, he was fun and outgoing and very warm. But as a true artist, he must be introspective too, don't you think?
He started with Marzuki. his music is amazing, but with Marzuki he equally shared creative prowess with other incredible musicians like Shannon Stephens, Jamie Kempkers and Matt Haseltine. Since then he seems focused on himself. too bad, cuz he was such a nice guy to chat with.
@plica06 I came to that conclusion by listening to several of his songs such as Oh God Where Are You Now, Seven Swans, Vito's Ordination Song, For the Widows In Paradise..., and God'll Ne'er Let You Down.
Hey... if you guys like Sufjan, you should check out David Michael Stith. He's already done remixes for My Brightest Diamond and stuff. He just recently got signed to Sufjan's record label, so you probably will all know of him soon.
@mouthbeats11l2l His music is heavily influenced by Biblical and spiritual concepts, but I know of other artists who are inspired by religious literature/folklore in their musical lives yet lead personal lives absent of strong religious/spiritual preference. Also, if Sufjan Stevens is indeed Christian, it's just as possible that he is gay; vice-versa. Homosexuality and Christianity shouldn't be mutually exclusive.
yeah that was like less than 2 months ago, but before that he had no presence on the internet at all, i wouldn't be surprised if he abandons his tumblr after the christmas tour finishes anyway cuz it seems as though he only used it to advertise his new christmas album
He doesn't think he has the capacity to write symphonic pieces??? The B.Q.E. is an incredible symphonic piece with 7 movements and a View-Master reel! Was he kidding? What an inspiring songwriter, wish i could write half as good as him.
@TheBoss2332 If that one facebook account that wears is name is his real account, then it says he is engaged to some woman that's also on facebook. who knows.
Yeah I can see what you mean, but I think that sort of watered-down-ness is part of his style, it's kind of set back sort of like a place that's always safe I guess, I respect that he doesn't do a lot of random wackiness, he seems very true to his sound
Who gives a rip? Are any of you internet people asking him for a date to the prom? Truth is subjective. Poetic license reigns. Long live Pickeral Lake! Go Northmen! Let's hear it for the Harbor Light kids! Huzzah!
