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Anyway, to backtrack a bit, who is Sufjan Stevens? Well, if you believe his website biography, you’ll understand that “Sufjan Stevens was found in a milk crate on the doorstep of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, in Detroit, MI, on Canada Day, July 1, 1975. He was wrapped in cellophane, and tagged on the wrist with the mysterious note: "I love you." And so on. So far, so mysterious. A more realistic interview with Observer Music monthly reveals that he was born into a family of Michigan hippies, grew up in the same state, and eventually indulged in a bit of counter-rebellion, forsaking the vague spirituality of his upbringing for the certainties of protestant Christianity, then moving to New York. Now this is quite important, as it’s his faith that provides the background to his excellent current album ‘Seven Swans’ (Rough Trade). The gig, like the album he’s promoting, is acoustic guitar and banjo-led (how often can you say that in contemporary ‘indie’ circles?) as these are the instruments of choice for Stevens. The set consists mainly of the leftfield folk tunes from ‘Seven Swans’ which are the sort of songs that grow on you like a rash. First time you hear them you may not be that impressed, give them time and the sheer beauty of them will sink in, and you’ll be hooked. Tonight, in a hushed and reverent Bush Hall, they sound magical. Almost as magical is the rest of the show. The band (including two backing singers) appears on stage dressed in white tops with attached feathers – the eponymous ‘Seven Swans’ of course (except there’s only six of them)! Stevens intersperses each song with an ongoing commentary giving the story behind the song, all of them relating to his home state in some way. The stories are illustrated by an overhead projector with a roughly drawn map of Michigan. He also plays some songs from his previous album ‘Michigan’ which is a concept tribute to his home state, and possibly the first in a set of albums about each US state. But that’s another story entirely… Anyway, ‘Michigan’ is re-released on Monday on Rough Trade. ‘Seven Swans’ is out there, and so is Sufjan. Catch him if you can!
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