Japanese Breakfast Delivers Stunning Cover of Sufjan Stevens Song ‘Romulus’
Michelle Zauner, who performs under the stage name Japanese Breakfast, has shared a beautiful rendition of Sufjan Stevens’ song “Romulus” off his 2003 studio album Greetings From Michigan the Great Lake State. Zauner was also joined by Gabby’s World and Molly Germer. The “Be Sweet” singer recorded their version at the iconic Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
Zauner’s music is often dreamy and effortless, and this cover appears to be no different. The “Kokomo, IN” singer reimagines “Romulus” in a beautiful way, as their vocals are also complemented by the use of strings, proving the track to be extra soothing for the listener.
Zauner has long been a fan of Stevens. Zauner spoke to The Line of Best Fit in 2016 about Steven’s famous 2015 album, Carrie & Lowell. Zauner recalls in the interview that she heard of the record but unfortunately let it slip by. However, when Zauner did discover the record, the singer recalls how the album in particular “hit home.” Zauner reveals, “I actually started listening to it a few months ago and it really hit home for me. Not only because it was about losing his mother but also because it was largely set in a very small town in the Pacific Northwest where I grew up. So it seems very serendipitous, I guess, to come across that record at this time in my life.”
Zauner grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and took on the role of caregiver when her mother was sick with terminal cancer. In an attempt to process such an unimaginable tragedy, Zauner wrote two albums tackling grief and other emotional upheavals: Psychopomp (2016) and Soft Sounds from Another Planet (2017). Just four years later, the singer would go on to release Jubilee, and their New York Times Best-Selling memoir, Crying In H Mart just two months apart.
Fans of Japanese Breakfast (Jbrekkie for short), have been able to watch the singer embark on a North American tour, selling out venue after venue. The singer recently played five sold-out shows at Union Transfer in Philadelphia. After such a historic run, the coat check Zauner used to work for is now renamed “The Michelle Zauner Coat Check.” Zauner calls this honor “the most memorable present of all.”
Michelle Zauner has been insanely busy promoting Jubilee but always takes the time to pay homage to fellow artists they admire. Fans can watch Zauner’s version of “Romulus” above. For more music from Japanese Breakfast, be sure to stream Jubilee and other albums on Spotify.
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