American songwriter Sufjan Stevens has taken part in the score of a forthcoming documentary.
Hailing from Detroit, Sufjan Stevens almost overnight became one of the America’s most talked about songwriters with the release of ‘Illinois’. Hugely acclaimed, it seemed to mark the arrival into the mainstream of a genuinely unique talent.
That was five years ago. In the meantime, Sufjan Stevens has done almost everything except record a new album with recent interviews suggesting that the songwriter has begun to lose faith in his own ability.
Perhaps a trawl through the archives will help. Poached by filmmaker Kaleo La Belle the singer is set to take part in the soundtrack for the forthcoming documentary ‘Beyond This Place’.
Working with Castanets’ Raymond Raposa the pair have constructed a suitable soundtrack for a deeply emotional film. ‘Beyond This Place’ follows the director as he tracks down his father, the hippy drop out Cloud Rock.
Also featuring a man named Bruce Stoner, it seems that the film’s counter cultural credentials are clear. Re-united after 30 years, the documentary focusses on their burgeoning relationship as well as La Belle’s life without a father.
For the soundtrack Sufjan Stevens has re-recorded his classic track ‘In The Devil’s Territory’ for the opening credits. Raymond Raposa, meanwhile, has written a number of new songs for the documentary.
Sufjan Stevens was also featured in Kaleo La Belle’s documentary ‘Crooked River’ back in 2005.
‘Beyond This Place’ will be officially released in the Autumn.
