Exactly twelve years ago today, on June 13th, 2000, Sufjan Stevens released his first solo album titled A Sun Came. A Sun Came was recorded in 1998, entirely on a 4 track recorder, with Sufjan playing fourteen instruments in total on the album. It was later reissued in 2004 on Stevens’ record label Asthmatic Kitty Records with a new cover and two bonus tracks, “Joy! Joy! Joy!” and “You Are The Rake” (a reworking of “Rake” from the original release).
Pitchfork: Do you think we'll have to wait as long for another album from you next time?
SS: No, I'm not going to do that anymore. I want to start releasing a lot more and do it without the orthodoxy of a proper release. I want to do more download EPs like All Delighted People, too. I'm always writing and recording anyway, so I think it's healthier to make things available even if they don't have a complete, conceptual form.
Pitchfork: Do you have a bunch of finished songs on some hard drive somewhere?
SS: [laughs] Yeah, I have a lot of really weird stuff. I don't know if anyone wants to hear it.
This has been the longest day at work knowing this video was on my dash but not being able to watch it. Now I have the biggest, goofiest smile on my face. I can’t even process all these feelings.