Thomas Pletzinger: I think it can be confusing, but I wanted it to be a kind of a voyage for the reader too.

Is that a kid crying in the back?

Sufjan Stevens: Yeah, that’s my nephew, my sister’s two-year-old. I’m surrounded by stuffed animals right now.

TP: I’m actually surrounded by a collection of old Donald Duck comics. (laughter) I’m at my sister’s house too and my little nephew just woke up and came in here. He’s three and a half.

—BOMB 115/Spring2011

I always envy you musicians. You can influence people directly at the very moment when you sing. People come to see you and when they leave they are exuberant or thoughtful or whatever. Sweaty, maybe. It’s always immediate.

—Thomas Pletzinger to Sufjan Stevens, BOMB 115, 2011.