Faith in Music
Thursday, March 31 , 2005
By John Sinkevics
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS - Sufjan Stevens has too much to say to be limited by the Christian music industry’s format.

The Hope College graduate, a rising star on the indie-music scene, doesn’t see the point of separating art into church-friendly vs. worldly music.

“Art is … a reflection of a greater divine creation. There really is no separation,” said Stevens, 29, whose latest album, “Seven Swans,” tackles Biblical and spiritual themes. “There’s a fullness of being in the world that takes into consideration the supematural and the natural, and everything we do and say is evoking and expressing eternal things without even knowing it.”

That makes the Michigan native and acclaimed singer-songwriter a perfect example of the rich tapestry of musical expression Calvin College will explore at this weekend’s Festival of Faith and Music. The event is a biannual celebration of “the ways grace, love, compassion and the Christian faith are expressed” in popular music.

“The artists who call themselves Christians, who aren’t interested in being part of the (Christian music) industry, have no home,” said student activities director Ken Heffner, who launched the trailblazing event two years ago.

“There’s no real place for them… we’re talking about doing good art, shaped by what you believe. The nature of art is supposed to be suggestive and nuanceful, not overt and clunky.

“These artists come from a Christian world view, but it won’t come up in their performances overtly.”

Because that can encompass everything from the music of U2 to Emmylou Harris, the concerts and seminars appeal to a broad audience.

“This is the chance that Calvin gets to kind of explain to people what shapes our whole concert season,” said Heffner, known for booking artists as diverse as Steve Earle, Jimmy Eat World and Ben Harper because of the meaningful things they have to say.

“We’ve definitely been pushing the envelope on this (among the nation’s Christian colleges).”

Rather than “demonizing” pop music, he said, Calvin takes an “engaging and critiquing approach” to see how it offers light to the world.

“We’re not talking about doing evangelism. We’re talking about doing good art, shaped by what you believe,” Heffner said. “It’s mostly talking about what implications you have for how you do art.”

Along with Stevens, this year’s festival has concerts by respected singer-songwriter Pierce Pettis, former Vigilantes of Love frontman Bill Mallonee and folk-pop artist Sarah Masen, and performance-art style music by Brother Danielson and Half-Handed Cloud. They will join local musicians and national authors/journalists for stage chats and workshops.

To kick it off, Schuler Books and Music, 2660 28th St. SE, will host a “pre-festival” concert at 7:30 tonight with performances by West Michigan’s Chris Smit, Michael VanHouten, Ralston Bowles and Pow Navarro.

Stevens, who plays Calvin’s Fine Arts Center on Friday night, may be best known for 2003’s melodic “Greetings from Mid1igan: The Great Lakes State.” It won over critics and indie-music fans as the first in a series of recordings spotlighting all 50 states. He just completed his take on Illinois, with the CD likely released in July.

Although Stevens, who lives in New York, isn’t touring right now, the multi-instrumentalist known for his concept albums said he agreed to play the festival as a favor to Heffner and because he respects Calvin’s approach to its concert series.

“Those (artists) I admire are those who are expressing and evoking things from a very personal and visionary perspective,” said Stevens, who also hosts a 2 p.m. Saturday workshop at the Fine Arts Center. “They’re completely honest with themselves and with the world.”

Stevens, whose obsession with “learning new things” has led to his ability to play an array of instruments, including the guitar, piano, banjo, flute, accordion, recorder, saxophone and dulcimer, feels he’s compelled to write, record and perform.

“I’m made to do this and I’m called to do this, and it’s what I do,” he said, stressing that commercial success isn’t one of his goals.

“I feel like we’re designed and created to be in awe of the wor1d and in awe of creation and of God,” said Stevens, who formed his first band, Mazurki, while attending Hope. The “just for fun” folk and world music band played campus events, induding some at Calvin before he moved to New York. Stevens also played the oboe with Hope’s symphony orchestra.

“I think people are responding to music that is awe-inspiring in a way. I’m interested in craftsmanship … and what’s true and honest to the listener.”