christmas in the room

Oh, just another post about Sufjan Stevens. Are you shocked? Well you shouldn't be. (As I've mentioned before, I utterly adore him.)

Last week we attended the Surfjohn Stevens Christmas Sing-a-Long at the Great American Music Hall and, let me tell you, it was an absolute blast. Even Scrooge McDave was smiling, swaying, and singing. It was fantastic.

I mean, this show had all the elements of a classic Christmas concert: Christmas carols, snowmen, elves, standup comedy, a trombone player dressed as a giant hot dog, a bassist in a chicken costume, a Mexican skeleton drummer, a singing glitter nun, bubble machines, paper snow, inflatable unicorns, an encore with 'Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland Illinois,' and of course, Surfjams Stephanopoulos himself as a neon Christmas Unicorn. Naturally.

But it wasn't the elaborate costumes, silly jokes, or even Sufjan Stevens' abounding talent that made this a night to remember. No, it was the crowd. For one night in San Francisco, a bunch of twenty-something hipsters gathered together and sang along to cheesy Christmas songs without a hint of irony or self-consciousness. It was heartfelt and yes, magical. Now that is a Christmas miracle.

As my Christmas gift to you, my favorite song of the night. Perhaps my favorite Christmas love song ever (if that's even a thing):

Is that not the sweetest song you've ever heard?

When we come together and just sing in harmony, in unison - it's a powerful thing.... That's why they call the voice the sacred heart; it's within all of us. Everything else is just white noise. - Sufjan Stevens

majesty snowbird

Dave often pokes fun at my penchant for eccentric musicians, especially my profound love for Sufjan Stevens (see also: Andrew Bird, Jens Lekman, Kishi Bashi, Beirut, Destroyer, Mark Oliver Everett, and Billy Corgan.)

Whatever. My music has soul.

Anyway, it is only a few more days until the Surfjohn Stevens Christmas Sing-A-Long: Seasonal Affective Disorder Yuletide Disaster Pageant on Ice at the Great American Music Hall. YES, that's right! I am absolutely dragging my poor husband to a Sufjan Stevens Christmas sing-a-long, where apparently, Mr. Stevens will be dressed up as a Christmas Unicorn. I love him and I CANNOT WAIT. 

This will be my fourth Sufjan concert and I certainly hope it is not the last. For a Sufjan Stevens show is always a treat.

The first time I saw him was way back in September 2006 at the Riviera in Chicago. During that night's set, he played a new song from a never-released album about birds (maybe eccentric is an understatement). Within the first few notes of the ten-minute epic 'Majesty Snowbird,' I was sold. Six years later, this haunting and beautiful masterpiece is still one of my all-time favorite songs. I utterly adore it and I so, so, so hope he plays it on Wednesday. I mean, it's about a snowbird, so it could potentially be played at a Christmas-themed show, right? RIGHT? Please?

What can I say? I love a man who is not afraid to wear a giant pair of butterfly wings.

P.S.

If you are interested, Sufjan's new Christmas album, Silver & Gold, is streaming here and here. 

And some silly promo videos are available for your viewing pleasure here.

Did I mention that I love him?

lollapalooza

This post is a little overdue, but here are a few shots from Lollapalooza. This is our sixth year of attending and boy, we are getting old. It was scorching! But aside from the heat, the crowds, the rain, and the three-hour evacuation, it was a blast :)

Chicago is a beautiful setting; that skyline gets me every time.

my handsome husband // the shins

taking a little break // metric

that skyline // m83

aftershow drinks // eleven city diner

shelter from the storm // back at eleven city diner

re-entry line post evacuation // monroe street

weekend highlight // twin shadow

a much nicer day in chicago // oberhofer

did i mention that skyline?