The Success Story of Sufjan Stevens
Who is Sufjan Stevens?
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer from Detroit, Michigan. He began his career in 2000 with his debut album A Sun Came. Since then, he has released several critically acclaimed albums and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. His most recent album The Ascension was released in 2020. Early Life and Career
Sufjan was born on July 1, 1975 in Detroit, Michigan. He started playing music at a young age, taking up piano and guitar. He attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan where he studied electric guitar and voice. After graduating in 1997, he moved to New York City where he started his own independent record label, Asthmatic Kitty Records. Rise to Fame
In 2000, Sufjan released his first album A Sun Came. The album featured experimental electronic music including samples of his own voice. The album received mixed reviews but established him as a talented musician. His next album Enjoy Your Rabbit, released in 2001, was met with much more critical acclaim. This was followed by albums such as Seven Swans, Illinois, and The Age of Adz. All three albums were highly acclaimed and were nominated for Grammy Awards. Collaborations and Recent Work
In 2017, Sufjan collaborated with Chris Thile on the live album Live at Third Man Records. They also toured together for several years. In 2018, Sufjan released the EP Love Yourself/With My Whole Heart, which featured collaborations with Helado Negro and The National. In 2020, Sufjan released his most recent album The Ascension. The album consists of 15 tracks and features collaborations with Bon Iver. Awards and Achievements
Sufjan's work has been met with critical acclaim throughout his career. He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Folk Album: once for his album Illinois, and once for his album The Age of Adz.
