Sufjan Stevens MTV Interview

[@SleepwalkingLilt]

I just..love him so much. I can't even explain how totally incredible his sound is..his music is pure genius.

[@elsbethsteele9285]

SleepwalkingLilt check out Elliott smith

[@robscallon]

seriously, he's a genius its like, what is a musical genius doing on mtv. mtv doesnt ever support talent it seems

[@machotaco1356]

Rob Scallon you are here! 8 years ago. The god

[@AntonioKowatsch]

Yeah, it's really funny that you left this comment here (8 years ago). I wonder how many subscribers you had back then xD

[@mastersword1987]

Fancy seeing you here...

[@incurable_humanist]

lol rob scallon was here?

[@peanutismint]

He doesn't appear to have aged a day since this.

[@senny-]

Six years later, still true.

[@Quenry]

PTSD will make you age slowly and quickly at the same time

[@JwpAT]

@@senny-even today he still looks just as good

[@flannerymonaghan-morris4825]

Yeah-and he’s what almost 50 now? Jesus.

[@alphablitz1024]

Seeing Sufjan on MTV is kind of like seeing Mozart on... MTV...

[@_rvth_]

i love how this video mashes together like the rinky-dinky, cosy indieness of Sufjan and his music, with the typical MTV fast-paced editing and crooked-angle filming style from the mid 2000s they even used the heaviest guitar part from Chicago as bgm, and removed from the original song it sounds like some kind of pop punk track lmao

[@snoutout]

He's angelic

[@digitalsustain]

SUFJAN, SON OF HIPPIES

[@birdyyyful]

I remeber being in art class and sufjan walked in!! it was fun having him there for a day, visiting his old school. He is so good looking it should be illegal. Colin and I still keep in touch.. he was such a britney fan his sister Jamelia and drove us 2 hours to see the opening of crossroads in 2001!!

[@spacesuitor]

In 2020, Sufjan is still bringing us incredible music. MTV? Not so much...

[@kenmeyerjr57]

When I try to describe Sufjan to non listeners, I say, "it's Philip Glass with banjos and a very soft vocal...with a tiny bit of Peanuts theme music thrown in."

[@AntonioKowatsch]

2:37 LOL, Sufjan is regretting that he ever made that promise. HIs fans keep annoying him all the time, asking for the missing/promised albums. Hahaha, it's kind of a meme.

[@deltasea4710]

Why is Sufjan Stevens and MTV even in the same sentence?

[@benschroering6464]

Because maybe, just maybe, they're starting to show decent music. Never mind. Ignore my stupid statement.

[@nonononononononononono]

Jayo Caine Are you? It was clearly a joke, and a funny one at that. MTV is trash.

[@SynthieFlowers]

+Delta Sea i agree, mtv is trash, Sufjan shouldn't lower himself to that garbage.

[@hbilha]

pfffhaha exactly

[@supermentoskid]

@@SynthieFlowers shut the fuck up Please shut the fuck up

[@George-xu9jd]

If not for Sufjan, I am not quite sure what Id be listening to these days.

[@SynthieFlowers]

+George Olivas sigur ros

[@pmcmillan1992]

+will Philip duh

[@SkinoGreeneVu]

+George Olivas probably nothing cause most of these bedroom producers are a spawn of his

[@grocerewe1935]

The Shins!

[@marykatemccann1901]

I LOVE SUFJAN STEVENS. OMG.

[@jacksonross3195]

lol "His second album Illinois" Glad they did their research

[@joestrik1911]

+Jackson Ross I think they meant in the 50 States Project

[@Frying1Pans]

It would be the 5th album

[@michellecerioni4903]

God that intro was so cringey too. Also he meant second 50 states album.

[@wastgood]

even his birth name is indie how could you not be the king of indie rock

[@fusilijerry6295]

Beautiful boy…

[@k213389]

he's a great musician. i adore him.

[@natstrawberry1]

his music is incredible.

[@Lacheddar1990]

A prophet of sorts. His lyrics and compositions are next level

[@Honorarkonsul1081]

one of this rare musicians you actually believe there is NO A&R concept he just has to fit in. just a normal guy who loves to do music and that´s great in the end.

[@Kevon420]

He's more of a combination of Brian Wilson, Van Dyke Parks, and Scott Walker meets Elliot Smith, Nick Drake, and Bob Dylan. He recalls Robert Wyatt and Terry Riley at times, but that can be fleeting. Illinois especially inspires similar American ideas as a song like "Heroes and Villains" that takes pictures of american life, the writer's personal life, and creates metaphors for each other, both musically and lyrically. Eccentric and artsy, but also relatable and lovable.

[@Pixelkip]

I like the way you think!

[@pinoyyya6948]

That's too much, man! With all due respect.

[@kid-ava]

pov: you get zero bitches

[@sf8178]

what i would give to hold his hand

[@3m1ly3m]

MTV doesn't deserve to interview someone as talented as Sufjan Stevens.

[@leeeeuwtje]

I'd like to be able to speak Sufjan's language.

[@margooka1963]

this is actually the first time I’ve heard his non-singing voice

[@oywidapoodles]

ASDFGHSJSK Hearing people talking over his music is bugging me so much. It's like blaspheming.

[@dyno4383]

The 50 states project is what's gonna keep me alive. We've only had 2 so far 😌so there's a lot of music coming 💗

[@ob9552]

as much as i love him, i don't really think it's happening ever 😭 it's been a long time since illinois after all 😭

[@lambsum]

@@ob9552 he once said that carrie and lowell was gonna be the oregon album until the producer told him he should make it more personal, so maybe one day he will return to the concept. i'm still holding out hope that we'll get at least one more album based on a state, or at least something in the Illinois/Avalanche style again

[@dyno4383]

@@lambsum yes! 🥺 I've been through shit and honesty Sufjan has kept me alive! I'm so happy to bave discovered him through CMBYN

[@e4c5c3d5exd5]

@@dyno4383 sorry to break the news to you but he already said the 50 states project was supposed to be a joke and he never intended to complete it. but you can think of Carrie and Lowell as the Oregon album since it references so many places from the state. also sufjan doesn't seem to be retiring soon, so we'll still get new records from him

[@dyno4383]

@@e4c5c3d5exd5 oh shit, i didn't know, thank you!

[@oldbirdwing9114]

Steven A. Douglas was a great debator, but Abraham Lincoln was the great EMANCAPATOR

[@DiegoRodriguez-sn8jc]

Old Bird Wing I truly felt that

[@frizzybob]

I just ate an apple, you guys should too ! specifically royal gala's! i love 'em ! crisp, just almost sweet, and not too sour. awesome.

[@FyodorTheImpaler]

royal galas are the best

[@nina6722]

frizzybob u commented this 9 years ago but i hope ur apple was satisfying

[@SillyAIMan]

12 years later hope youre still around but Gala's are incredible

[@emilycornwell9643]

hope you had an amazing apple all those years ago bob

[@spencerwilliams9105]

Tell me.. why in the holy fuck is MTV not structured like this anymore?

[@bbqsauce9]

If I ever have a son, I'm gonna name him Sufjan

[@spookynutsack]

yet?

[@florafades]

he is such an amazing inspiration I love him

[@gumbiman3350]

Then it turned out that the 50 state project was a gag.

[@indieandsuch]

Wisconsin is still bitter.

[@illinoisbay]

At least a third - please !

[@atotallyrandomperson3889]

@@illinoisbay I wish

[@marcobim9702]

​​@@illinoisbaycarrie and lowell is Basically an Oregon album

[@LOL-up1nc]

Sigue igual de guapo que hace años. 💜💜

[@noahii7577]

Awesome that MTV payed attention to him.

[@yasminealam6260]

12 years? Woah

[@varduhi81]

I'll repeat again, for me, magic is in his eyelashes 🤦‍♀️😍

[@anwbanana]

i adore this kid.

[@lenalena111]

he's so great. i can't wait to see him live. im going to die when he plays casimir pulaski day, decatur, and there are night zombies!

[@glifosfato]

SIMPLE songs? hahaha goddamn

[@Rik-B]

He also says that while a 11/8 rhythm is playing in the background.

[@iliatrain5359]

I know, I was so annoyed when he said that.

[@AntonioKowatsch]

I like to refer to Sufjan's music as "Dad Jazz". It's the best way to describe it IMHO.

[@joeboonmusic4004]

That's the last thing I would call it... Dad jazz is Kenny G. This is music.

[@FollowThatTempo]

Glad to see him getting some much-needed recognition, but these people aren't doing him much justice nor capturing the emotion which his music evokes.

[@tmamone83]

Back in the day when MTV actually played music.

[@Revnoir29871]

A genius deeply

[@ilovebooks49]

Wow, I did NOT know his name was pronounced like that. Even thought I've been listening to him for almost a year. I've been saying "Suf-jan" not "Soof-yahn" lol oops

[@HiAdrian]

Indeed, it went down the shitter sometime in the 90's. I never program it into the TV.

[@AtMostAbby]

6th grade band is the perfect way to describe it. oh my god!

[@embrassemoi04]

Down with MTV, Up with Sujan!

[@HeartbeatCN]

Now it's 2022 and his music remains important as it has a good influence on today's heartfelt songwriting stars like Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift.

[@peach1187]

@humeanesque yeah that was an eye roller ..and man they killed it with the bright eyes comparison too....

[@mydogisawesome888]

He is truly a genius.

[@trilcemontes2553]

Yo le amo.

[@JonkingxJonAedynKing]

Yes Tennessee next!

[@AtMostAbby]

this record is so much more than thisss. ughhh.

[@Daaanieeel123]

MTV trying to sound like they were the first people to ever hear of Sufjan. -_-

[@emilymoeyo]

Would Mr. Stevens appreciate these arguments concerning his music? I can't know, but I don't think so. Let's rejoice that we've found people who share our love for his fantastic compositions!

[@scottEhall3]

I searched "faith crisis" and got this

[@Drackoe]

He's 10-fold better than Bright Eyes. Get real, that's not even a comparison.

[@khansolllo]

YES

[@bear1102]

love him:)

[@truekotek]

Algorithm does wonders again. Here I am, on a 13 years old video

[@firethief]

Nice work Sufjan. You and Mason J should be more famous.

[@WoodBlock707]

A+ to that

[@invisivale]

I haven't actually laid eyes on MTV since, oh, 1993 or so? If this is the best they could do for Sufjan Stevens, I can see that I am not missing much.

[@k0sha]

I just noticed it also says it on the television in the video when it comes up :p I should probably pay more attention. Thanks anyway! =]

[@higherorbital]

annoyingly talented

[@WoodBlock707]

i neva wud of thought to see sufjan stevens on mtv.

[@TomW]

I never want to associate Sufjan with MTV. I am currently ripping that thought out of my mind.

[@Stbuster31]

back then, it was cooler to speak with more nasal, with some vocal fry listening to opening . now it's all vocal fry

[@whyamisleepy]

He sounds like Sufjan Stevens.

[@JamesMajdali]

@alphablitz1024 yeah kind of makes me glad i didn't first learn about him on MTV, and rather heard his music first when a friend left it on my PSP after giving it to another friend... a couple months ago....

[@zoelyons1264]

*zooms in* CLASSICAL

[@stonefoxxxx]

he's beautiful

[@AnwarTheBoss]

recent fan. ^^

[@samillionaire22]

He should make an album about Maine.

[@kittenvsrabbit]

sounds like the polyphonic spree meets elliott smith lmfao

[@wearesatellites91]

I like both Bright Eyes and Sufjan a lot. While I wouldn't necessarily classify them in the same category, I think there's a few similarities.

[@thath09]

interview starts at 0:55

[@natattack96]

@armagigolo He IS a Born Again Christian. True, his parents did come from that community and that's where his name came about, but he has stated that he is a Christian. He just doesn't want to classify his music as "Christian music."

[@gioispunk]

i came here just to learn how to pronounce his name lol he's my hero

[@judyelkadi]

omg another the last of us 2 fan who likes sufjan?? this is so cool hi

[@gioispunk]

@@judyelkadi hi! you have taste

[@judyelkadi]

@@gioispunk so do youu

[@JoeHertler]

MTV needs to get their slimy fingers off of him. Seriously, Sufjan is wayyy beyond what they do for music these days.

[@monkeefugg]

I got lost in his eyes and didn't hear a thing he said

[@bevTDWP]

IM IN LOVE.

[@stradlemonkey444]

Where's the Marzuki love? you, shannon, Jaime and Matt made some of the best music i've yet to hear. i'm from Holland and watched you guys play at least 18 times live. Jaime's cello was always the show stealer.

[@dopeynhappy]

drawing comparison to Elliot Smith seems accurate, bright eyes, not so much

[@Hubris73]

@Thehappypages I wouldn't compare him to bright eyes either, being that he is soulful and substantive rather than whiney and overwrought

[@melissais]

he should come to Texas next!! :D

[@GrapeStreetKillas]

HOW LONG HAS BEEN ON MTV FOR?! this is all news to me

[@JamesMajdali]

woah that's interesting. I kind of am anticipating his california album. it'll probably contain some songs about how ignorant people are and how corrupted they are by the media... and the gold rush.

[@melissais]

LOL!!! wow! that comment was so funny!! but soo true. D:< AAAHAHAH!! freakin badass! Mel

[@Brutalwhale]

lol love the comparison ^_^

[@humeanesque]

Am I the only person that finds this disgustingly hilarious? The Polyphonic Spree meets Elliott Smith? Pure comedy! I particularly love the "you hear it first" heading.

[@TheSteveFox]

This almost hurt. MTV....what a shambles.

[@BeeJanks]

the it boy

[@Lizibee05]

I hate seeing him on MTV, but I guess it's good for him... Getting publicity and what not. But I still like to think that I'm the only one who knows and is in love with him. :)

[@havinsomecarrots]

My God, can this man wear a T-shirt!

[@scooter6332]

did she say abraham lincon? isnt the song abraham based of genesis 22?

[@ivanr.5928]

Abraham Lincoln was mentioned in "Decatur," off of Illinois, which was the album she was referring to in the intro. "Abraham" was Seven Swans, which MTV would never cover, as nice as that'd be.

[@scooter6332]

Oh ok thank you

[@espark1089]

Elliott is my obsession... I can't find a lot of similarities between the two, but I love Sufjan..

[@natattack96]

Nothing is too dynamic for Sufjan.