Sufjan Stevens is one of those singer/songwriters that for some reason I’ve been taking my time in getting to know. His name is everywhere, everybody’s talking about him, but I didn’t know too much about him or his music until now.

Maybe because somewhere in the back of my mind I knew his music is something to savor – after hearing one or two of his songs awhile ago on an internet radio station. Or simply because his music isn’t as accessible here in the UK.

After poking around a bit on the net I did find out some fascinating information about Sufjan Stevens. He has put out two albums out of fifty for his ambitious Fifty States Project. So far he’s done Michigan, which is where he was born and grew up and Illinois.

I’m hoping he decides to stick to the idea. It would be cool to hear what he’d have to say about my old stomping grounds in New Hampshire and Vermont. I wonder if he takes requests? Now I’m sounding like that person in the audience asking the band to play “Free Bird”. Anyway – cool idea for a musical project.

Sufjan Stevens is now living in Brooklyn, New York and releases his music through Asthmatic Kitty Records, a record label which he helped to found with other musicians originally in Holland, Michigan.

For festive mood music, watch Sufjan Stevens’ animated video for “Put The Lights On The Tree”.

The single was originally released in 2002 on  Hark!: Songs for Christmas, Vol. 2 EP from the Songs for Christmas box set.

For more information go to Asthmatic Kitty Records.

By: Jenny May