TONIGHT: Alela Diane & Sharon Van Etten @ Union Hall
Tonight at Union Hall, supporting the lovely Alela Diane, is Bushwick’s own Sharon Van Etten. Her hauntingly subtle video for “For You”, the first single off of debut album, Beacuse I Was In Love, has been running in a loop through my head for the last few months. Shortly after being first dumbstruck, I was blown away by her live performance at Union Pool for the Northside Festival.
We got a chance to catch up with Sharon in her ‘hood about Richard Brautigan, love in the past tense, and good coffee. Take a look at the interview after the jump.
Don’t be dumb, this is a show you don’t want to pass up.
Sharon Van Etten at Uncensored Interview’s Northside Festival showcase
The album is called Because I Was In Love, tell me why you decided on this title, and who &/or what it is about?
The title was based on a Richard Brautigan line and the songs are all ‘because i was in love’ past tense. As silly and cliche, it’s true. Oh well…
As the first single, “For You” does a haunting job of encapsulating the feel of the album– where did you write this song?
In a car on my friends kids guitar. I was on tour with Corbi Wright. That way we wouldn’t hit each other in the face when we wanted to play and didn’t have to drive.
Do you like being on the road? How was your first tour different from those since then?
Well… the first tour was LITERALLY the craziest tour I ever went on. The person I was with was bipolar, on top of getting my car broken into and having to sell it in order to get back to NJ… after my tour mate disappeared to a spa in California…
Since then, it has been relatively easy. I have been lucky, surrounded by beautiful people that are full of love and support. From Meg Baird to Festival to Noa Babayof and Great Lake Swimmers, I have NO complaints.
Of all the musicians you have played with, either as a solo artist or singing backup, who has been your favorite performer thus far?
That’s tough. Kyp Malone and Jessica Larrabee (of She Keeps Bees) tie for me. They have these amazing voices that ring through your body while they exhude such light and positive energy outside of their music and they are the most supportive friends. I have a lot to learn from them both.
Did you grow up in a musical household? Who have been some of the biggest influences on your musical career?
My parents played me records and took me to shows. My dad is BIG into rock n roll and my mom is into folk and musicals. My mom and I took trips to the city a lot to see Broadway plays all the time. Neil Young, The Kinks, Carol King, The Carpenters, and Peter Pan.
What initiated your move to Bushwick? What are some of your favorite local hangs?
The pace and the price. The taco place by the Jefferson stop is great. The Northeast Kingdom is a great restaurant and bar around the corner. Really good comfort food. Cafe Orwell has my favorite coffee off the Morgan stop.
It’s my understanding that you have a hand in what will become of the space that used to be the Black Betty– can you tell us details?
Not yet…
Is there an album you currently can’t stop listening to?
Speck Mountain, Summer Above
What is the last great book you read?
True Tales of American Life by Paul Auster
If you could have any other name other than Sharon, what would it be?
Carin’
wrong venue. union hall.