A Look Back: Marzuki Album Review

My first post-college journalistic/music critique endeavor included a review of indie folk band Marzuki's No One Likes a Nervous Wreck for West Michigan's now-defunct Fuse Magazine (see part 1 above).  The piece was published in Fuse's July/August 1998 issue (see part 2 below).  The folk quartet was Sufjan Stevens' college band, named after Stevens' own brother.

A Look Back: Marzuki in Concert

I experienced indie band Marzuki's folk fare as a student at Hope College between the years of 1994 and 1998.  The four-piece folk unit was composed of three Hope students and one Grand Valley State University student.  I remember seeing the band play at The Good Earth Cafe in Holland, Mich., as well as possibly Leaf & Bean and The Kletz although, admittedly, my memory is not as keen as it once was.  Regardless, the band members signed my copy of their self-titled debut at one of those shows (see above) and, at some point, I signed up for their newsletter, which I received at least one issue of via the postal service (see below).

In the Oven

While a student at Hope College, I enjoyed feasting on the music that my fellow undergrads were cooking up in their dormitory laboratories. I remember seeing Sufjan Stevens' folk band Marzuki in concert a number of times. I still own both of their indie releases. After the group disbanded, I continued to keep tabs on Stevens, as well as the band's vocalist, Shannon Stephens. I've picked up all the records that each have since put out, including Ms. Stephens' EP and full-length CD. So, I was excited to recently learn that -- after taking time off to become a wife and a mother -- she has a brand new album coming out on Stevens' label, Asthmatic Kitty Records. The Breadwinner will drop on Sept. 8.