Sufjan Stevens

A singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Sufjan Stevens started his venture in the music world as a member of Marzuki, a folk-rock band based in Holland, MI. Following the release of two full-length albums with the group, Stevens decided to go solo in late 1999, investing fully in a career that was waiting to shine by itself. During subsequent months, Stevens moved to New York City, where he continued dedicating himself full-time to his solo recordings. Sun Came, his debut album, appeared in 2000, confirming his superior musical command, complex instrumentation, and sparkling melodies. The promotion of the disc included playing on the road with the Danielson Famile, with whom he began regularly working. Enjoy Your Rabbit, his second album, hit record stores in 2001, underlining once more his unusual instrumentation and excellent compositions. In addition to his solo work, Stevens also offered his contribution to the album 1942 for Soul-Junk, on which he participated amply as a multi-instrumental musician. While preparing a new collection of songs, Stevens appeared on several benefit compilation discs, including Seen/Unseen, which featured Frank Black, Giant Sand, and 16 Horsepower. 2003 saw the release of Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lakes State, a 15-track conceptual piece produced and performed by Stevens -- he played over 20 instruments -- that placed his home state under the writer's microscope. Despite the record's narrowed focus, it was among the best reviewed that year and made many critics' year-end lists. In 2004, Stevens released his follow-up, Seven Swans, which was produced by Danielson Famile mastermind Daniel Smith. He returned to his ambitious "states" project in 2005 with Illinois, which was followed by The Avalanche in 2006.