Sufjan Stevens

Both of Sufjan Stevens' parents were briefly members of the Subud spiritual movement, whose leader gave him his exotic forename. The name is of Persian origin and means "comes with a sword." Subud is a Javanese spiritual movement that was founded in 1925 by Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo. It is a non-religious movement that focuses on the practice of latihan, a form of spiritual exercise that is said to allow people to connect with their inner selves.

Stevens' music is influenced by his spiritual beliefs. His songs often deal with themes of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in life.

Sufjan was raised by his father, Rasjid, and his stepmother, Pat, after his mother Carrie left his family when he was a child. He only occasionally visited his mother in Oregon after she married her second husband, Lowell Brams. Sufjan later spent time with her when she was dying of stomach cancer. Lowell later took charge of the singer's label, Asthmatic Kitty. Stevens wrote his 2015 Carrie & Lowell album in the wake of grief after losing his mother.