The 50 States
30 Year old Sufjan Stevens, anti-folk folk artist, is attempting to chronicle all 50 states in song. So far he's got:
- Michigan (from which he hails)
- Illinois (AKA Sufjan Stevens invites you to, "Come on, feel the Illinoise!"
Yes, this all sounds gimicky/kitschy/silly. Yet the man can play some seriously inventive music. Give him a listen.
One of the guys from They Might Be Giants did just this kind of thing a few years ago, calling it "State Songs." But then again, that project isn't exactly what I'd call anti-folk folk...
Posted by: Steve-o | 09 August 2005 at 10:42 AM
Based in large part on the very positive reviews on the recent release re: the state of my birth (Illinois-e), I checked out Sufjan's state albums. Very good - reminds me of the slightly more experimental but not terribly different Jim O'Rourke, based out of Chicago. Definitely worth looking into if you find you like Stevens's stuff!
(Lucky me, I found out Sufjan is in town in a couple of weeks and got tickets to see him with the Danielson Famile as an opening act (another great band)).
Posted by: Steve-o | 12 August 2005 at 05:12 PM
I've heard of Jim o'Rourke, but actually haven't heard
his music. I'll see if I can track down some songs.
Sufjan played here live about a month ago. The club
had no air conditioning or fans and the temp had to
have been 110F inside. I sweated a few songs out and
then went outside to hear the rest through the
windows. A good show (although mighty uncomfortable).
Let me know how the show is.
cheers,
beau
Posted by: beau | 14 August 2005 at 08:54 AM
Anti-folk folk artist that's something new. Never heard of him.
Posted by: Sheyla | 08 February 2006 at 01:39 PM