Sufjan Talks The BQE; Declares Rock “Dead”
In preparing for his classical debut at the 25th Next Wave Festival, Sufjan Stevens opened up to NY Magazine about his commissioned project The BQE — a symphonic and cinematic exploration of one of New York’s least celebrated monuments: the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Although Soof avoids getting too personal, the article provides some more insight into The BQE piece and the daunting tasks he faces bringing it together for the approaching sold-out performances. Perhaps most interesting are his thoughts on rock and roll, telling the mag:
“Rock and roll is dead. Rock and roll is a museum piece. It has no viability anymore. There are great rock bands today—I love the White Stripes, I love the Raconteurs. But it’s a museum piece. You’re watching the History Channel when you go to these clubs. They’re just reenacting an old sentiment. They’re channeling the ghosts of that era—the Who, punk rock, the Sex Pistols, whatever. It’s been done. The rebellion’s over.”
Hopefully Soof was joking a bit. After hearing “In The Words Of The Governor” earlier this year, I don’t think I was alone in wanting to hear a little more of Soof rocking out.
MP3:
Sufjan Stevens - “In The Words Of The Governor”
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I wish I was cool enough to declare stuff “over.” Usually by the time someone says something is over, I’m rushing in with it in my hands, like, “OMG, Guys, HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?”
Seriously. Just last year I was thinking to myself, “God, I love rock and roll.” And the worst part? When I had that thought, the Joan Jett song didn’t even come to mind.
[...] that rests at the oldest surviving state capitol west of the Mississippi River. Hypeful knows Soof declared rock dead, but still hopes the new disc has some “In The Words Of The Governor” moments on it. Check out [...]