Sufjan Stevens

There aren't words to describe my love for this man. Sufjan Stevens has got to be my all time favorite singer, and for me to actually pick one is some big shit right there. I fell in love with his music probably two years ago. I was in the car with my brother and his girlfriend and "For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti" was playing. I instantly loved it and ever since then I've been obsessed (to say the least) His music seems to get better and better with each album he produces, constantly changing, but still little bits of the old Sufjan in his newer work. "Age of Adz", which is his newest full length album, released in 2010 was by far the most different in terms of sound. The album features heavy use of electronics which is intensified by heavy orchestration, taking inspiration from the apocalyptic artwork of schizophrenic artist Royal Robertson. Quite different when we are used to hearing breathy vocal, his trademark banjo and simple wind instruments.

I had the absolute pleasure of going to his concert at the Arts Centre on 31 January 2011, and it is still to this day the greatest concert I have ever been to. Not only did he play the entire Age of Adz album (except Bad Communication) AND played Impossible Soul in it's entirety (which is 25 minutes long, I actually lost my shit everywhere) he opened with Heirloom from the All Delighted People EP that he released a few months prior to Age of Adz. He also did an encore with Chicago (obviously) and played a couple other songs from his more popular albums (John Wayne Gacy Jr and Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois, that I can remember) I don't really have any friends that like Sufjan and there was no way on this earth I wasn't going, so I went by my lonesome. I thought I was going to have the worst time because I don't really like doing that sort of thing alone, but boy, was I wrong! I made friends with the 40 something year old guy that sat next to me, we pretty much just talked about how amazing Sufjan was for majority of the night.

I would give my left kidney to be able to see him play again. Not even kidding. If you've got a ticket, send me a message and my left kidney is yours. He is the most incredible musician. And I don't care what you say, he will be the father of my children.

These are some photos from the concert. I didn't have the best seat cause I bought the ticket pretty late, but the Arts Centre is a great venue and is set out really well so I still could see everything. These photos were taken during Sufjan singing Impossible Soul. All these balloons fell from the ceiling and everyone in the venue got up and started dancing and kicking the balloons around. It was so good!

So, if you haven't heard of him or don't really get too much into his music, this is me telling you to SORT YOUR SHIT OUT! Seriously, when have I lied to you about something? Take my word, he is ah-ma-zing.

 These are a few of his albums, probably the most popular ones. Every single one is flawless. They are incredible. Check dem out yo!

Roger that.