It's hard to say if actual places really affect the way you write. Sufjan Stevens actualaffecthard Change image and 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 remember Detroit feeling really unsafe, feeling scared a lot. Our house was broken into, our car was stolen, we had to get a watchdog, we would get beat up in the street, I had my bike stolen. There was just a lot of real anarchy on the streets and sidewalks. Sufjan Stevens anarchybeatbike share on social
The best fiction is geared towards conflict. We learn most about our characters through tension, when they are put up against insurmountable obstacles. This is true in real life. Sufjan Stevens characterconflictfiction Change image and share on social
I've been trying to challenge myself to be more explicit. I've always liked punk rock and Sonic Youth. I make that music privately, but I've never released it. Sufjan Stevens challengeexplicithave Change image and share on social
I have a love/hate relationship with Amy Grant, but I do go back to her Christmas albums once in a while. They're dated and sentimental and the production is nearly unlistenable, but there's something about her vocal performance that just feels really true. I would take her Christmas albums over Mariah Carey's or Destiny's Child's any day. Sufjan Stevens albumamyback 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
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
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
I believe that music is a spiritual language. My everyday self is pretty mundane and boring, but when I'm making music it allows for me to communicate a kind of transcendence that I can't communicate otherwise. Sufjan Stevens borecommunicateeveryday share on social