fuckyeahsufjanstevens

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

carrie & lowell anniversary vinyl is so stunning. thank u suf(-:

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

"It’s a reminder that we all were children, and in some ways we’re still children. We live and grow and life devastates us and then we die. This album seems to be a celebration of that process. What’s really remarkable about digging through the archive photos is there is so much life to celebrate in spite of this material being all about death."

-Sufjan Stevens, Interview with Vulture (2025)

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

"Sufjan Stevens Announces Carrie & Lowell - 10th Anniversary Edition – Out May 30 

This May, Asthmatic Kitty Records celebrates the ten-year anniversary of Carrie & Lowell with an expanded double-LP album that includes seven previously unreleased bonus tracks, a 40-page art book, and a new essay by Sufjan Stevens. The deluxe edition also offers an alternative cover: a full-framed version of the original Polaroid zoomed out to reveal the photo’s caption written in a child’s handwriting—“Carrie & Lowell”—disclosing the source of the album title (it was written by Sufjan's sister Djamilah). The new edition was designed by Sufjan himself: the 40-page booklet contains various collages of vintage family photos spanning four generations interfused with artwork and drawings (on themes of death, dying, grief and the state of Oregon) as well as landscape photos Sufjan took while traveling across the western U.S. over a decade ago.

The original album is preserved on disc one, while disc two contains 40 minutes of extras, including demo versions of "Death With Dignity," "Should Have Known Better," "The Only Thing," and "Eugene". Expansive outtakes of "Fourth of July" and "Wallowa Lake Monster" are also included, both featuring a more cinematic mood. The final gem is the original demo of "Mystery of Love”, which was recorded around the same time as Carrie & Lowell. This song was scrapped for the album but later re-worked and re-recorded for Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name.

Carrie & Lowell was the result of an immensely difficult process in which Sufjan’s songwriting – usually a salve – failed him in the wake of his mother’s death. He was eventually led out of a cycle of creative doubt with a rare handover of production duties to Thomas Bartlett. In wrestling with darkness and devastation, life and death, Sufjan was eventually able to begin making sense of the beauty and ugliness of love.

Sufjan toured the album and personally connected his findings with his listeners, a beautiful hand-over of sorts happened - making these songs those of the listeners and their lives and losses and complexities.Since the album’s release the live tour was turned into a live album, so surprisingly celebratory and cathartic as to become something else entirely. Outtakes, remixes, and iPhone notes have been shared via Sufjan’s The Greatest Gift mixtape as well as a collection of “Fourth of July” versions that took one moment from the album and explored its every crevice.

Ten years on, this anniversary edition does things differently to those other treasures. Rather than deconstructing the album or building on it and continuing its legacy, this edition takes the listener back to the moments leading up to and including its release. Carrie & Lowell is presented in its full form once again, alongside a glimpse of the different roads it could have taken. There are new corners to explore, photographic realising of moments previously only lyrically painted, direct reflection from the album’s creator, subtly different weight on certain syllables that speak to Sufjan’s mind right before he shared it with the world.

Carrie & Lowell -10th Anniversary Edition Tracklist

Disc 1:

1. Death with Dignity 2. Should Have Known Better 3. All of Me Wants All of You 4. Drawn To the Blood 5. Eugene 6. Fourth of July 7. The Only Thing 8. Carrie & Lowell 9. John My Beloved 10. No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross 11. Blue Bucket of Gold

Disc 2:

Death with Dignity (Demo)

Should Have Known Better (Demo)

Eugene (Demo)

The Only Thing (Demo)

Mystery Of Love (Demo)

Wallowa Lake Monster (Version 2)

Fourth of July (Version 4)

Carrie & Lowell - 10th Anniversary Edition is now available to pre-order / pre-save here. All pre-orders will include a lyric postcard featuring artwork designed by Sufjan. 

“Mystery of Love” may be widely known from the film Call Me By Your Name, but it began as an early demo during the Carrie & Lowell era. Now released as the first single from Carrie & Lowell – 10th Anniversary Edition, this version presents the song in its original, intimate form.

Video directed and produced by Rena Johnson. Original artwork and select photos by Sufjan Stevens. Archival photos and 8mm film provided by Sufjan Stevens and additional assets provided by Rena Johnson.

Ten years of 'Carrie & Lowell'. Explore the full story in our new comprehensive archive, featuring 'Carrie & Lowell 'and its six companion releases. Photos, video, essays and other materials, gathered in one place for the first time.

WWW.CL.SUFJAN.COM" - Originally posted by Asthmatic Kitty Records

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

it's alright, i love you

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

In the northern hemisphere, today is the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

"Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols 6-10" vinyl box set is available now for pre-order, for the first time since its original release in 2012, via Asthmatic Kitty Records.

More info: "Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6-10 expands on the tradition of Sufjan Stevens’ first box-set "Songs for Christmas, Vols. 1-5" and features nearly 60-tracks that investigate the canon of devotional hymns and holiday pop songs, as well as 18-original songs from Sufjan.

Two versions of the release are available now for pre-order, and will be released on November 1, 2024. The LP box set features an array of holiday-themed bonus items designed by Sufjan and friends and is available exclusively via the AKR shop. The collection will also be available at record stores as a standalone LP set for the first time, featuring all 5 releases (6 LPs) assembled in a slipcase. This version includes just the albums, with the additional holiday merchandise available only with the AKR vinyl box set. 

Inside The Box Set:

5 EPs on 6 vinyl records

Christmas sticker sheet

Temporary tattoo sheet 

Three paper ornaments (self-assembly with directions)

An apocalyptic pull-out poster

A 44-page songbook with lyrics and chord charts (sing along with your friends and enemies)

A 20-page Christmas coloring book by Stephen Halker

Hallucinogenic photographs and psychedelic graphic design

Extensive liner notes (introductory salutations and an essay on the Christmas tree by Sufjan Stevens, and a few theological words on the End Times by Pastor Vito Aiuto)

In addition to the Silver & Gold LP box set, AKR is excited to offer exclusive merchandise inspired by Silver & Gold. Available for pre-order now, choose from a woven blanket, mock-neck shirt, beanie, mug or the Silver & Gold Songbook (now available separately from the box set)."

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

The album that Sufjan produced for John Legend, "My Favorite Dream", is out today. You can listen to it here.

On producing the album, Sufjan said recently to the LA Times; “One of the main reasons I decided to do John’s album is because I hadn’t been able to really work on anything outside of self-care and rehabilitation,” he says. “I finally wanted to get back to work, but I didn’t really have the mental capacity to write my own music. This stuff felt wholesome and pure and safe.”

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

John Legend is releasing an album of children's music called My Favorite Dream, produced by Sufjan. From John Legend's Instagram:

As I was writing the songs & envisioning what they could sound like fully arranged, I thought, "I wonder if @sufjan would make a children's album with me!" I've loved Sufjan's music for nearly 20 years. He's such a visionary artist, and I knew he would create the dreamy, whimsical soundscapes I wanted. So I reached out. And he said YES. I was so happy because he was my first and only choice. I'm proud to say the entire album is produced by Sufjan Stevens. I'm grateful for his genius. He blessed the album with music beyond my expectations & imagination.

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

The 20th-anniversary edition of "Seven Swans" is now out and includes two b-sides, “I Went Dancing With My Sister” and “Waste of What Your Kids Won't Have.” You can hear the album + b-sides here. A special anniversary edition vinyl is available at indie records stores today.

Also released today are two lyric videos for "To Be Alone With You" and "The Dress Looks Nice on You." They were created by Rena Johnson using artwork drawn by Marzuki Stevens & animated by Stephen Halker with calligraphy by Laura Normandin.

THANK YOU.

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

DEADLINE: Can I ask you to give us any updates on [Sufjan's] health, and his spirits?

PECK: It’s been a very long road for him and a very trying road, but I think he’s doing relatively well and he seems to be in good spirits. He’s been able to hear some of the songs [from Illinois] that he hadn’t thought about in a long time and say, like, why did I write that lyric? Just really sweet moments like that where you’re like, oh, this is a real human who’s kind of able to take in something that he wrote probably what feels like a lifetime ago.

And his health is on the mend. He’s back to walking and he just wants to be physical again. He kept saying “I just want to be able to run again,” and I know he’ll get there. We’re all here for him and sending him energy.

The Making Of ‘Illinoise’ And The Guiding Vision Of Sufjan Stevens – Tony Watch Q&A With Justin Peck

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

The Broadway cast of Illinoise performing "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!" live on the Tony Awards. Justin Peck brought home the Tony for Best Choreography.

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The Broadway cast of Illinoise performing "Jacksonville" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

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The Original Cast Recording of Illinoise will be released digitally by Nonesuch Records on May 31st. You can hear a preview of "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!" and "Chicago (Reprise)" today.

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

Come On Feel The "Illinoise" Musical is now open on Broadway for a limited 16-week run at the St. James Theatre. Tickets for all dates can be found here.

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

The Sufjan Stevens dance musical Illinoise will become a surprise last-minute addition to the current Broadway season. Currently running Off-Broadway at Park Avenue Armory, the work will transfer to Broadway's St. James Theatre beginning April 24 and will open the same night. The strictly limited engagement will continue through August 10.

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

I'm embarking on a master's thesis exploring Seven Swans and it's resonance with contemplative theology. Before I begin, I'm looking for more information on Sufjan's writing/recording process, the influence of Daniel Smith, inspiration behind the lyrics, etc.. Anything other interviews that reveal Sufjan's views on faith would also be very helpful! Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

Here's a hodge-podge of things that might be interesting to you:

2004 interview with The Guardian doesn't have much but it does have this quote specific to Seven Swans: 'I can see patterns in the songs about relationships with family, lovers and friends, or a divine being, and sometimes songs confuse the two,' Stevens says. 'There's an attitude of reverence and awe and love, in terms of very corporeal love with God, as well as with people.'

2006 interview with Busted Halo talks about feelings surrounding being public about his faith

Since you mentioned Daniel Smith, I imagine you're aware of Danielson: A Family Movie? Sufjan does make some appearances in there.

Sufjan was a guest on a podcast called Don't Look Back where artists talk about songs that changed how they think about music, and that conversation touched on faith in songwriting. Our blog has some quotes from it but I don't know how easy it is to get ahold of the episode--if you have iTunes, you can try the source link on that page.

True Myth: A Conversation with Sufjan Stevens 2015 interview in Pitchfork has some more recent comments from him about his faith

This 2012 interview for PEN America is a long listen but I recall that Sufjan talks a lot about inspiration and things of that nature in here, though I don't remember if Seven Swans comes up specifically.

In 2017, Sufjan wrote an opinion piece for The Washington Post: Stop repeating the heresy of declaring the United States a ‘Christian nation’

Hope that helps!

[fuckyeahsufjanstevens]

As was the case with what he did for “Carousel” and “West Side Story,” both of which I thought choreographically superb, Peck articulates yearning so very well. He knows how to create pictures and then explode them, to encapsulate what happens to our bodies when we feel tense or afraid or untrusting of our partners or friends. But he also loves manifesting joy and thus he leads Stevens naturally introverted work firmly by the hand in that direction. I imagine Stevens would be surprised by how fun his own self could be.