According
to the bio on his website, Sufjan Stevens showed up on his parents’
doorstep wrapped in cellophane and wearing a tag that said “I
love you.” The Detroit native, who now lives in Brooklyn,
garnered attention last year with his album Greetings from Michigan:
The Great Lake State (Asthmatic Kitty), a lyrical collection about
bleak life in the mitten state. Seven Swans, his fourth album, is
now available from Sounds Familyre.
Ann
Arbor Paper: Your last album, Great Lakes State, was obviously
a thematic piece. Seven Swans, however, seems to be equally thematic,
but more subtle. Do you sit down to intentionally create something
thematic?
Sufjan Stevens: There is so much going on my head
that it sometimes requires considerable organization. Putting everything
in its right place. I’m not a conceptual artist, by any means.
But I do think in epic proportions. Painters often work in a series.
Writers work on collected stories. Musicians often work on theme
and variations. I think it’s a healthy exercise, to consider
boundaries, to work within a thematic framework. I have so much
going on inside, it’s actually satisfying to have limitations.
Such as, for this song, I can only use minor chords. Or, I can only
use time signatures divisible by three. Of course, improvisation
is invaluable. It is important to mess around and let ideas work
their way around the space of the song. You should never be consumed
by a concept. It is only the pretense. The song itself has so much
more to say.
A2P:
Many artists draw influence and dabble in arts aside from the one
for which they are most known. Aside from music, where do you turn
for inspiration or influence?
SS: I write fiction. This is my first love. I’m
working on a collection of stories right now. I draw as well. I’m
not very talented, but I enjoy sketching. I used to go to a figure
class at the art students league here in New York, but it got to
be too much. I’m very possessive of my time. I do a lot of
‘domestic crafts.’ Sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking.
I make my own hats and scarves and sometimes I sew these ridiculous
shirts with zippers. I went to Waldorf school, so this kind of thing
is important to me. Also, photography.
I know this sounds like bullshit, this list of stuff. But I really
do love it. I had a dark room in college. I spent every weekend
there, in the dark, alone. It was great. It’s important to
have hobbies.
Smoking is an important hobby, but it’s not very constructive.
A2P:
My favorite cut on the new album is “The Dress Looks Nice
on You.” From the first listen I was hooked on the song and
I still am. Any insight as to the motivation for that song?
SS: High school girlfriend. Two years older. I
was hardly through puberty. It was awkward and great. But I had
no concept of graciousness and being a man and holding doors open.
What did she see in me? Well, the song is nothing about that. It’s
about understanding the potential of something but not being able
to do anything about it. She was looking for a husband. I was looking
for something far less permanent, of course.
A2P:
You’re from Michigan originally; does it feel different when
you “come home” for shows?
SS: Honestly, I feel like a novelty act when I
play in Michigan. People find the humor under it all, especially
with the Michigan songs. It’s quite different to have a laugh
track. Honestly, I feel better playing in Europe. They mythologize
places like Michigan. They think I’m mysterious. Going back
to Michigan only demystifies the whole concept. It’s really
quite humbling.
A2P:
What’s the last album you heard that really excited you?
SS: Alasdair Roberts. Farewell Sorrow.
A2P:
What’s the one album in your collection that you couldn’t
live without?
SS: Nick Drake’s Pink Moon.
A2P:
Most of the recent talk about file-sharing has been between the
RIAA and file-sharing services. While many have argued that the
closing of such services would only help the majors while hurting
emerging artists. How do you feel about file-sharing services and
has it had any impact on your career?
SS: I’m fairly liberal about this sort of
thing. I’ve never opposed file sharing. I think the compact
disc is quickly becoming obsolete. Partly because there is such
an influx of music, bad music. The market is saturated. Why pay
for such garbage? I’m aware that almost every one of my songs
is available online. I don’t mind at all. I think it helps
artists at my level. It’s great promotion. Music writers do
no justice, with their limited vocabulary. Ad space is not affordable.
The best marketing tool is word of mouth. File sharing is a great
tool of communication. If I love a record, I’ll tell people
about it. And if I really love a record, I’ll actually buy
it. Besides, we don’t really own these things. That’s
a myth. You don’t own anything. Especially a recording. Once
you release something commercially, you lose possession of it. The
commerce behind all this music is really just a formality. A2P
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