Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens | |
|---|---|
 Stevens in concert at thePabst Theaterin 2006. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Detroit,Michigan |
| Genres | Indie folk Experimental Folk rock Baroque pop |
| Instruments | Vocals Multi-instrumentalist |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Asthmatic Kitty,Sounds Familyre, Orchard |
| Website | www.sufjan.com |
Sufjan Stevens(pronounced/ˈsuːfjɑːn/) (bornJuly 1,1975) is anAmericansinger-songwriterandmusicianfromPetoskey, Michigan.
Some people think he is part of thefolkrevival inindie pop,but he gets ideas from many things. His music is similar toelectronica[1]and theminimalismofSteve Reich.[2]Stevens says that he has plans to make aconcept albumfor each of the 50U.S. states.He began withMichigan(2003) andIllinois(2005).
Stevens was born inDetroit, Michigan,and grew up inPetoskey.[3]He went to Harbor Light Christian School as well as theInterlochen Arts Academy.He also learned atHope CollegeinHolland, Michigan.
Sufjan is anArabicname[4]that famously belonged toAbu Sufyan,a man from earlyIslamichistory. The name was given to Stevens by the person who foundedSubud,aspiritualcommunity.[5]Stevens said in an interview, "It sounds likeDevendra Banhartkind of grew up in this strange kind of cultish environment, and I don't mean that word in a demeaning way. I think we probably come from similar backgrounds. There's a little bit of that in my history. "[6]
Stevens is a multi-instrumentalist, a person who can play many musical instruments. He is well known for his use of thebanjo,but also playsguitar,piano,drums,and several other instruments, often playing all of these on his albums by usingmultitrack recording.When he was in school, he learned theoboeandEnglish horn,which he also plays on his albums. He is one of the few musicians inpop musicto use these instruments. A lot of instruments are played in unison to give his songs a "symphony-like" sound. Strings and horns are used very often in many of his songs.
Stevens lives in theBrooklynpart ofNew York Cityin the neighborhoodKensington[7]where he makes up theAsthmatic Kitty Recordsstaff of the Brooklyn office.[8]His brotherMarzuki Stevensis a marathon runner.[9]
The songThe Mystery of Lovebecause of themovie Call Me by Your Namewashit songand wonAMFT Awardsin 2017.
Studio albums
[change|change source]- A Sun Came
- Enjoy Your Rabbit
- Michigan
- Seven Swans
- Illinois
- The Age of Adz
- Carrie & Lowell
- The Ascension
- Convocations
References
[change|change source]- ↑Pattison, Louis."Avalanche Review".Amazon.co.uk.Retrieved2006-11-29.
Part psychedelic bluegrass, part extra-terrestrial electronic ambience, and part tribal percussion-fest
- ↑Gill, Andy."Illinoise Review".Uncut. Archived fromthe originalon 2006-09-29.Retrieved2006-11-29.
All rendered in a weird, pan-stylistic blend of alt.country, minimalism and American brass band music
- ↑Vander Plaat, Heather (April 2006). ""A distinctive musical voice"".News from Hope College.
- ↑Harrington, Richard (September 23, 2005).""Sufjan Stevens's Musical States of Mind"".Washington Post.Retrieved2006-08-27.
- ↑Odland, Jeffrey (May 12, 2004).""Junkmedia: An Interview with Sufjan Stevens"".Junk Media. Archived fromthe originalon 2006-08-13.Retrieved2006-08-27.
- ↑Bemis, Alec Hanley (August 28, 2005).""The Soft Revolution"".Los Angeles Times Magazine. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-28.Retrieved2007-02-11.
- ↑Guarino, Mark (July 2006)."Sufjan Stevens: Wonder Boy".Harp Magazine. Archived fromthe originalon 2006-10-31.Retrieved2006-11-29.
- ↑"About Us".Asthmatic Kitty Records. Archived fromthe originalon 2006-11-28.Retrieved2006-11-29.
- ↑"Sufjan Stevens".Asthmatic Kitty Records. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-11-20.Retrieved2007-12-22.