Riding the wake of his highly acclaimed 2005 album Illinois, singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens kicked off his national tour Sept. 11 in Nashville, Tenn. A man known for his uniquely orchestrated folk-pop, absurd song titles (my favorite being "A Conjunction Of Drones Simulating The Way In Which Sufjan Stevens Has An Existential Crisis In The Great Godfrey Maze") and undying patriotism, Sufjan decided it was time to personally grace the continent with his "Illinoise."
Sufjan, his backing band and the opening act, My Brightest Diamond, have officially set out across the country. They are planning to pay a visit to every geographic region, eventually ending their tour Oct. 15 in Seattle. Sufjan and crew will then take a quick two-week break before heading to Europe in November.
While the month-long North American leg of the tour makes no direct stops in Madison, it does make two stops within worthwhile proximity. The first is Monday night, Sept. 25, at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee at 8 p.m. The following night, Sufjan plans to pay a special homage to the mecca of his recent album, Illinois. He will be playing the show in Chicago's uptown theater district at the Riviera Theatre at 8 p.m.
The supporting act, My Brightest Diamond, is the pseudonym of Shara Worden, who will be identifiable to some as a veteran member of Sufjan's backing band from past tours. Her dramatic music may loosely be termed "classically influenced indie rock." She is accompanying Sufjan on the tour in support of her new album, Bring Me the Workhorse, which was released in August on Asthmatic Kitty Records, the same label that produces Stevens' work.
As if the prospect of a Sufjan show was not tempting enough in itself, there are a few refinements that might separate this tour from all previous ones. According to his label, Asthmatic Kitty Records, "Sufjan Stevens is going on tour, bringing with him a talented group of musicians and friends including a small string ensemble and brass section. They will perform a repertoire of familiar songs from Seven Swans, Michigan and Illinois in a new symphonic context."
Enticing as that is, his record label has also stated that he will be revealing a "few new pieces" that have yet to be performed for a public audience. As to what the new material is, is still a mystery; however, Sufjan is a man of rapid productivity in quantity and quality. After releasing Illinois in 2005, he followed it up this summer with its sister CD, The Avalanche, a 22-song album comprised of outtakes from the Illinois recording session. And if that isn't enough, Sufjan recently announced that he will release a five-CD Christmas box set in November.
Since stating his ambitious intent to make an album for every state in the United States in 2003 (aptly titled "The Fifty States Project"), there has been wide speculation — first off, as to whether or not he is serious and secondly, as to what the next state will be. Sufjan has only released two state-albums (centered on Michigan and Illinois) thus far, leaving 48 remaining. Perhaps this tour will put an end to all of the gossip and unveil the curtain on the next lucky state, but there are no promises. Of course we're all keeping our fingers crossed for Wisconsin …
On previous tours, Stevens and his backing band have been notorious for being outfitted in whimsical uniforms. Past tours have seen everything from cheerleading to Cub Scout dress codes on stage. However, in accordance with the "symphonic" ambiance the new instrumentation brings, the band will be performing their shows in refined costume and manner says their record label, "Don't expect to see any cheerleading uniforms or routines. Suit coats, neckties and corsages might be more appropriate."
What could this mean? Tuxedos? Kilts? Angelic-swan suits, perhaps? That might not be so far-fetched — zany Sufjan and team have reportedly been sporting ornate butterfly-costume wings on the tour thus far.
So whether you are a Sufjan fanatic, a music enthusiast curious to see what the buzz is about or a lepidopterist hoping to net some butterflies, these concerts offer a special opportunity to see one of America's rising and most exceptional musicians. Take the two-hour trek in either direction and witness the phenomenon that is Sufjan Stevens.
