Public school felt like prison - cinderblock walls, fluorescent lights, metal lockers. It was so sterile and unstimulating. Sufjan Stevens cinderblockfeltfluorescent Change image and share on social
I was sort of born into a Subud cult that has ties to Islam and Indonesia and Middle Eastern spiritualism. My parents were kind of trial-and-error when it came to religion. Sufjan Stevens bearculteastern Change image and share on social
It's hard to reconcile my personal beliefs with an entire institution like the Church or the Republicans. Or with people within those political persuasions who have such different ideologies but confess the same things I confess spiritually. Sufjan Stevens beliefchurchconfess share on social
One of my strongest memories is my father playing bongos in the living room in Detroit listening to Motown radio. He was this skinny white bald guy, but he was really moved by blues and Motown and funk. Sufjan Stevens baldbluebongo share on social
I wouldn't mind being popular in other ways, but not with music. Sufjan Stevens mindmusicpopular Change image and share on social
I'm a very self-conscious person; I think we all are, but I'm especially not very comfortable in my body. I always feel really weird and awkward on the street or on the stage. It has nothing to do with circumstances; it's just an ongoing psychological state, like white noise. Sufjan Stevens awkwardbodycircumstance share on social
I am not naturally inclined to history or geography - maybe that's why I like to sing about it, because it helps me remember. Sufjan Stevens geographyhelphistory Change image and share on social
The World's Fair was the precursor to theme parks like Disneyworld, and the really sort of cheap, superficial promotional architecture that you see everywhere in the U.S. I think there's a danger when you start creating a civilisation that isn't meant to last. Sufjan Stevens architecturecheapcivilisation share on social
Every time Jimmy Scott sings, it's the same but slightly different. I don't know how he does that or where he gets that from. I think it's instinct. Nothing he does is by chance; he's in complete control of what he's doing. He's just beautiful and unique. Sufjan Stevens beautifulchancecomplete share on social
My music is just about story telling. I don't have much to say, and I'm not trying to change anyone's mind. I'm just singing through conviction about what I love and what I care about, starting with the very small. Sufjan Stevens carechangeconviction share on social
