sufjansufjan

"It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when the Asthmatic Kitty Records shop gets restocked with your holiday favorites to bring joy throughout the season.

Back in 2001, Sufjan Stevens set out to create a Christmas gift for friends and family. What resulted was a 7-song recording he dubbed Noel Vol. 1. Every few Christmases Sufjan would create a new volume to add to the collection. After years had passed Sufjan became determined to release the first five EP’s in their raw, blemished form, presented, as he describes it, with a "lavish display of ornamentation" to coincide with the spirit of excess and overindulgence that has in some ways become synonymous with the season. 

Included in the 5-LP or CD Box Set  package (designed by Sufjan and Stephen Halker) are lyrics, chord charts, and full recording credits for all the songs. Includes favorites like "Sister Winter," "That Was The Worst Christmas Ever," "Only At Christmas Time," and "Put The Lights on the Tree." 

Instead of a Christmas tree this year, I’d like to stick Age of Adz-tour Sufjan in a corner of my living room.

In celebration of Sufjan’s birthday today, Asthmatic Kitty Records announced a collaboration with Retrospekt - a custom Polaroid 600 camera featuring artwork by Stephen Halker inspired by 'Carrie & Lowell.'

This special edition camera combines refurbished vintage Polaroid components from the 80s and 90s with a freshly-molded exterior, built by Retrospekt and officially licensed by Polaroid.

"Asthmatic Kitty Records invites you to commemorate 10 years of Carrie & Lowell at an upcoming in-person event:

PITCHBLACK PLAYBACK SESSIONS

Experience the Carrie & Lowell – 10th Anniversary Edition in full, in complete darkness.

These immersive sessions offer a rare opportunity to hear the album without distraction—just you and the music. Pitchblack Playback hosts listening sessions in the dark on great sound systems around the world for upcoming and classic albums and curated mixtapes.

14 May - Manchester, UK @ Cultplex 24 May - Schiedam, NL @ Koda 26 May - Copenhagen, DK @ Empire Bio 26 May - Auckland, NZ @ The Capitol Theatre 26 May - London, UK @ Phoenix Arts Club 27 May - Santiago, CL @ Omni Soundlab 27 May - Mexico City, MX @ Shhh 27 May - Bristol, UK @ We the Curious Planetarium 28 May - Aarhus, DK @ Øst for Paradis 28 May - Paris, FR @ Listener 28 May - Brighton, UK @ The Old Market 29 May - New Plymouth, NZ @ Len Lye Centre Cinema 29 May - Los Angeles, US @ Neuehouse Hollywood

GET MORE INFO / ORDER PITCHBLACK PLAYBACK TICKETS

RETAIL LISTENING EVENTS

Be among the first to hear the seven new bonus tracks from Carrie & Lowell – 10th Anniversary Edition — two days before its release (May 28th) — at an in-store listening event near you. You’ll also have a chance to buy the deluxe LP or CD two days early. Admission is free and everyone who comes will receive a free poster featuring original artwork by Sufjan Stevens (while supplies last)..

Atlanta, GA, US @ Criminal Records - 4 PM Melbourne, AU @ Happy Valley Shop - 4:30 PM San Francisco, CA, US @ Amoeba - 5PM Chicago, IL, US @ Reckless Records (N. Milwaukee) - 5 PM Newcastle, AU @ Abicus - 5 PM New York, NY, US @ Honey Moon Coffee Shop - 6 PM Washington, DC, US @ Byrdland Records - 6 PM Dallas, TX, US @ Josey Records - 6 PM Kansas City, MO, US @ Josey Records - 6 PM Toronto, ON, CA @ Sonic Boom - 6 PM Portland, OR, US @ Music Millennium - 7 PM Seattle, WA, US @ Easy Street (California Avenue) - 7 PM

VIRTUAL LISTENING EVENT

Sufjan Stevens in full Christmas Unicorn regalia, Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, December 2012. Photo by Heather Polley (please do not delete credit)

The 20th-anniversary edition of "Seven Swans" is now out and includes two b-sides, “I Went Dancing With My Sister” and “Waste of What Your Kids Won't Have.” You can hear the album + b-sides here. A special anniversary edition vinyl is available at indie records stores today.

Also released today are two lyric videos for "To Be Alone With You" and "The Dress Looks Nice on You." They were created by Rena Johnson using artwork drawn by Marzuki Stevens & animated by Stephen Halker with calligraphy by Laura Normandin.

sufjan stevens: be well, be joyful, stay sane, stay safe. i love you.