Sufjan Stevens - Javelin (October 6th, 2023) • Page 18

There’s a certain subset of song you write that, depending on a listener’s perspective, can scan as either deeply religious or potentially quite sensual. This is a thread in “John My Beloved” and “To Be Alone With You” and “Javelin (to Have and to Hold).” What inspires that train of thought?
The religious is very sexual. It’s erotic. Look at Catholic art through the ages, Baroque art. It’s all very fleshy and sensual and full of naked bodies. I’ve always embraced that. I’ve always felt that my relationship to God is a very intimate and sensual one. Sacraments are. It’s engaging with God in a physical way. You’re literally eating the flesh and drinking the blood of God during the Eucharist. It doesn’t get much more erotic than that. If you’re a vampire, that’s the ultimate erotic experience.


Most people who lurk the texts don’t luxuriate in the closeness of Jonathan and David.
The Bible’s very gay. Just all men. That’s what you get when there’s a patriarchy that’s endured for so long. Jesus was single, never married; Disciples were all dudes …


King shit

 

here’s the full interview

10 years later, Sufjan Stevens offers a startling reevaluation of 'Carrie & Lowell' : All Songs Considered

 

He’s kinda really hard on himself and this album in that interview, although I understand why.

 

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sufjan-stevens-carrie-and-lowell-10th-anniversary-edition/

(Deserved) Perfect 10 from the Fork

 

That was a very personal review - a good read. I love that the album transcended Surfjan’s personal story and fed into all of our personal situations.