Sharon Van Etten | Interview

Sharon Van Etten released one of 2010′s little-indie triumphs. Large on emotion, short on songs, well-crafted, produced, performed & perfect. Ironically titled “epic;” but pretty accurate. It announced the complete arrival of a gifted young singer-songwriter just 2 full length recordings into her career to the rest of the world. {Read more about it here.} She graciously took time while touring Japan to answer a few questions from our in-house instigator for Sock Monkey Sound.
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An Interview with Sharon Van Etten

by Andy Whorehall

AW: With “epic” you’ve fully realized a set of songs that seem to be a continuation of themes established on “Because I was in Love.” How does it feel to become the object of enthusiastic affection over something you’ve created that releases an overwhelming amount of pain & anger? Seems like an odd paradox or is this something you’ve been prepared for in return?

SVE: I considered this album to be more confident and less broken. I can see how you might take it as anger, but it is more of security and self preservation in honesty in love to me.

AW: Does it worry you as a songwriter to think about the next record after one so focused and complete as the 7 songs that
comprise “epic”?

SVE: A little, but I have many songs I am looking forward to reinterpret in a studio environment. I write constantly and i feel no obligation, so i hope my songs never come across as forced or desperate. They come at a very natural pace for me.

AW: How many, if any, of the 7 songs on “epic” did you hold out on from your debut, “Because I Was In Love”?

SVE: None.

AW: Were many songs cut from the sessions that may see the light of day?

SVE: No. We had 2 weeks to see what we could get done. Nothing was cut.

AW: Did you know going into the second record that it needed to step up from the first recording with regards to production and additional performers for the better of the songs?

SVE: I know I wanted to step it up instrumentation wise, but i had NO idea it would be this big of band. No way.

AW: At any point writing or recording “Don’t Do It” did it stand out as the haunting centerpiece it becomes? Correct me if wrong (I often am), the rest of the songs seem to have been written to support it’s haunting presence; “DsharpG” becomes a very anxious listen with repeated listens encompassing a feeling that hints,”get ready, the tidal wave is coming.”

SVE: Actually, Save yourself was the first song I knew how I wanted to record, basically… Don’t Do It was a song I wasn’t sure of, but Brian McTear (producer/engineer) helped me to see the light in it. The original was 11 minutes long, very slow and meandering washed through reverb. DSharpG was actually the song I wasn’t sure should be on the album because I didn’t think it flowed…. I love it, nonetheless. Love More helps balance it out.

AW: {Don’t Do It} It’s masterful. I’ve often referred to that song’s melody as the female counterpart to Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye.” Your vocals, the performance by all, are haunting and beautiful. It lingers for days even after the song ends.

SVE: (Explained above) – but I never thought of it as even CLOSE to Buckley. I do admire him, of course.

AW: “Love More” is lyrically brutal and haunting as well, suggestive of an abusive relationship emotionally and/or physically. It takes a turn at the end suggesting hope for the listener and narrator. At any point writing “Love More,” and for this matter the rest of the songs on “epic,” did an internal voice whisper, “don’t go there”?

SVE: Never. I will always be honest in my music. It is very important for my songs to be personal and relatable, even when difficult.

AW: Seems like you disregarded any second thoughts with these songs, they’re an honest angry counterpart to the many angry ‘Dylans’ we fans of the Bard have sat through and thought about. “epic” brings to mind Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks.” I’ve tried hard to disregard this thought as being gender based but as a listener who sees Dylan’s take on love gone wrong being his fault and telling the world about it, “epic” to me is an angry belated response for closure after the storm. Did recording the 7 songs that make up “epic” ever click with you this way or am I out of my f*cking mind?

SVE: I guess that is your interpretation. I am not angry. I was not angry. But when I wrote these songs I was tired of being broken over someone that never cared for me. I was becoming more strong and not afraid to voice it. Sometimes being a strong woman can be misconstrued as being a bitch. I assure you that these songs are meant from a positive space that nurtures growth.

AW: In regards to love and all of its forms, emotions, actions; do you denounce the notion that great art can not come from happiness?

SVE: No.

AW: With regards to love and happiness, pop culture and music, the Beatles covered it all with love and left the rest of us to cover the bitter ends it seems. I’d disagree but since I brought it up I can’t. I will argue though that Paul McCartney may have written the worst, most depressing song about seeking forgiveness with “The Long & Winding Road”- is this the worst Beatle song or is this THE WORST song ever? Regardless of what we each think, should it be renamed, “The Long and Winded Lonely Road”? It’s worse than anything the worst band ever, The Doors (Godfathers of Buffoon Rock), would have ever attempted, do you agree? Or do you like The Doors?

SVE: I think Octopus’s Garden is pretty bad. I like the Beatles and the Doors. You’re coming across as rather harsh.

{Ed. Note – The Doors are the worst.}

AW: Do you see yourself now writing happier songs after getting the first 2 records out of your system? Many people, songwriters, can’t go as deep as you have already- does this worry you as a songwriter?

SVE: I can’t forsee what I write. And… No.

AW: Are you aware of Jeff Mangum? He kind of disappeared after writing Neutral Milk Hotel’s masterpiece, “In the Aeroplane Over The Sea.” I can’t blame him… Thoughts on that record or how to even follow one up such as yours and NMH’s?

SVE: Yes. I played with him for Chris Knox’s benefit. He’s amazing. Quite a presence and performer. To each his own. Never try to out do yourself or anyone else.

AW: Do you worry with a set of songs so emotionally honest that you’ll ever find someone who isn’t slightly afraid of you in a relationship- for fear of being written about?

SVE: No.

AW: If you’re seeking further observations derived from depression to write about would you ever consider Rockford (Little Detroit we call it), Illinois, to live in for a bit for creative inspiration? {Take notes, meet people, be the observer, soak in the stories, get drunk with the town hillbillies, meet my family, argue over me with my girlfriend, maybe arm wrestle with her to fight for my undivided attention, play scrabble with her and my dog, we’ll feed you too, there’s 2 empty rooms, even bring your significant other, ok?} You’re a Jersey Girl- correct me first off, and where do you stand on The Boss? He seems to polarize music fans. Has the Bruce ever given you tears being a Jersey Girl?

SVE: Living in TN and NJ sums it up for me. You can find anything anywhere. I am hoping to lock myself away from towns and cities and write my next record next summer. I love Bruce too.

AW: What do you think of the Gallagher brothers?

SVE: Oasis was ok. Never a huge fan… but they had some nasty pop hits for sure.

AW: Naming the record, “epic,” did the thought of Liam or Noel ever cross your mind saying the word, ”epic,” with an accent being applied to your internal voice? Don’t you agree Noel is the funnier brother with a better accent and command of the english language?

SVE: Ha. No. It was a joke.

AW: Speaking of Noel Gallagher, wouldn’t you say Kanye West is alot like Noel Gallagher? He’s always saying the darndest things while ripping off influences and shredding our faces off with artistic awesomeness! Kanye is more of a scientist than an artist? What do you think?

SVE: Ha. No. I don’t think that Oasis was very collaborative, experimental, or open minded.

AW: Eternal questions time, two of them: 1) Bruce Springsteen vs. Billy Joel?
Who wins a wrestling match for your love?

SVE: Bruce

AW: 2) Art or Science? Who wins period?

SVE: They’re the same.

AW: Cover songs & other stuff. Why doesn’t Jimmy Buffett come up more in conversations for cover song choices? Seems like many bands, musicians and songwriters are Buffett racists. Very sad.

SVE: Everything I’ve heard from Buffet is cheesy to me. My mom loves him though. Sad.

AW: Speaking of choice covers, would you ever consider doing a record of carefully planned covers, your reinterpretations of classic rock standards called: Sharon Van Etten “Does Van Halen, V.1″? Make people believe there’s going to be a volume 2.

SVE: The thought has crossed my mind…

AW: Partial kidding aside, anyone you want to work with next and in the future? I secretly dream of you and Justin Vernon doing a record together, your vocals together- has this ever come up? Will you marry him if you can? Seems like a smart, nice, midwestern boy.

SVE: That would be amazing. I did perform with him and Megafaun for Songs of the South and that should be released next year… Antony would be awesome. Feist would be really cool. I got to cover U2 with Junip – which was AMAZING.

AW: If you won’t marry Justin will you marry me and then according to the script you will use me for child, take child, divorce me and write a record about how f*cking awesome it was to destroy my life? Please? What an honor.

SVE: Wouldn’t that just make future interviews even more awkward?!

{Ed. Note - Eh, doubt it. I am empty on the inside & can only be destroyed like a beer can on the outside.}

AW: Let’s steer this in and end it. Do you have an author pseudonym you’ve used to protect your day jobs (in Illinois, you need 2-4 jobs to pay all the bills so pseudonyms are required to stay sane)?

SVE: Sharon Van Halen. Seriously. I used to save my demos on garageband as that.

AW: Did you know you were always going to be a songwriter?

SVE: No. I originally thought i was going to be on broadway.

AW: Second to last and loaded (as you may have learned by now). Favorite 5 records you’ve listened to this year, no order necessary.

SVE: Lower Dens, S Carey, GAYNGS, Megafaun, Automelodi

AW: An artist we should be aware of you want to prop here?

SVE: Julianna Barwick

AW: Lastly, please tell our readers where they can find, buy more of your recorded output, merch, or not- you’re ending this thang.

SVE: BaDaBingRecords.com

{End}
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{Thank you Sharon for your time & to Jacob @ Pitch Perfect PR for the
assist.}
AW