While Sujfan Stevens is best known for this state themed albums “Michigan” and “Ilinois,” along with the well received “Seven Swans” and his latest effort “The Age Of Adz,” the singer song-writer is no stranger to the Brooklyn Academy Of Music. In 2007, he was commissioned by the venue to create a work celebrating the Brooklyn Queen Expressway. The result, was the film/music hybrid, “The BQE,” a sprawling, inspired exploration at the familiar highway. But that isn’t the only detour Stevens has made from this main gig as a celebrated indie rocker. He also took some time out recently to team with Castanets‘ Raymond Raposa to compose the soundtrack to Kaleo La Belle‘s documentary “Beyond This Place.” The film has been making its way to festivals and screening around the country, and this weekend it heads to BAM where it will be presented with a live score performed by Stevens and Raposo. If you’ll be in town, we’ve got 4 pairs of tickets to giveaway. But first, here’s the synopsis of the film:
“Stoned for 40 Years” is how Cloud Rock La Belle describes his life. Taking drugs and intense cycling are the only things to which Cloud has remained faithful throughout his life. Now his son, Kaleo La Belle, challenges his eccentric father to a bike trip. Cycling through the Pacific Northwest, Kaleo questions his father’s search for truth and demands justification for his absence in his life. “Beyond This Place” explores Kaleo and Cloud Rock’s failed father and son relationship and questions whether the hippie concept of freedom ultimately failed.
Stevens is a childhood friend of La Belle, and was the subject (along with his brother Marzuki) of his 2005 documentary “Crooked River.” Stevens reworked “In The Devil’s Territory” from “Seven Swans” for the opening credits, while Raposa has written new music for the end credits. There’s no word if any additional, original pieces were written of if the soundtrack will see a release.
So, you how can you get your hands on some tickets? Email us your name along with your favorite Sufjan Stevens lyric. Good luck!
Update: Contest is closed, winners will be contact via email.
