All Songs Considered 10 years later, Sufjan Stevens offers a startling reevaluation of 'Carrie & Lowell'
May 27, 2025
Sufjan Stevens, a renowned singer-songwriter known for his deeply personal album 'Carrie & Lowell', reflects on the 10th anniversary of this haunting work. He shares his complex emotions surrounding grief and memory, revealing how art helped him navigate loss. The conversation touches on the transformative power of music and its ability to celebrate life despite sorrow. Stevens also explores the evolving nature of his relationship with music and the profound themes that connect personal experiences to broader human emotions.
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Grief Is Eternal Presence
- Grieving is eternal and does not go away but transforms people. - The absence of a loved one becomes a haunting presence that one must learn to live with.
Live With Grief
- Acknowledge and welcome grief, giving it time and space to be felt. - Also keep living and learn to navigate life alongside death.
Photos as Memorial
- Sufjan gathered photos from family archives as a memorial to his mother. - Reviewing these with new perspective helped him appreciate the beauty amid the chaos of life.