The Pistola Press

The first time I heard Sharon Van Etten’s voice was on The Antlers‘ record Hospice. Her solo material displays her hauntingly, beautiful voice and folky guitar. She’s currently on tour with the Great Lake Swimmers and hits the road with Kyp Malone’s Rain Machine in a few weeks.

Sharon Van Etten – Photo by Cat Stevens

What’s it like living in Brooklyn? It’s as if every new musician/band comes from there. I remember walking  into my friends apartment building in Bushwick and it seemed like there was different kinds of music coming from every which way.

New York is a crazy place.  Brooklyn is more affordable than Manhattan so there are more artists living in Brooklyn, for sure…There is so much to see and hear. I live in Bushwick, it’s a mix of neighborhood and industrial. It’s quiet, with a low hum. There are new neighbors every week.  New businesses popping up all the time. Art spaces and locally run restaurants and DIY performance rooms. Still exploring, still discovering. It’s a pretty exciting time right now.

Have you always lived there? If not, how did you end up there? Why did you decide to move to BK?

I am originally from NJ. I lived in TN for a bit, then moved back to NJ with my parents in my early 20s and saved up money to live in NY, which has been a dream of mine since I was a kid.  I have a couple friends who have lived in Brooklyn for years and they showed me different neighborhoods and introduced me to some of their favorte venues… and all of my favorite places seem to all be in Brooklyn.  It is affordabe, and there are lots of god venues – how could I NOT live there right now…

What was it like working with The Antlers on Hospice? Your part on ‘Thirteen‘ is beautiful. It fits so well with the album, it’s fantastic.

I feel really lucky to have been a part of it.  Peter (Silberman) is a genius. The first time I heard his voice, I thought “this is someone I want to know”. I only sang what belonged there.  He did all the writing. It IS a beautiful record. I am so proud of those guys!  They deserve all the praise in the world.

Would you rather get eaten by a grizzly bear or a great white shark? You no have chance… either way, you’re becoming dinner.

Which one would be wearing a hat?

Who influences you musically?

Everyone.  ha. I listen to a wide range of music… But the singers that have changed my life are Diane Cluck, Meg Baird, Vashti Bunyan, Jana Hunter, Jessica Larrabee (from She Keeps Bees), and Leah Hayes (from Scary Mansion)

Who or what inspires you while writing?

My friends and old lovers. People I get to connect with at shows. A rainy day. (I sound so cheesey!) but it’s true.

Do you dabble into any other types of art?

I paint sometimes. I draw terribly. I dabble in sewing. I like cutting hair. I play piano. I am a hobby person who never learns anything very well.

After you get done tour with Great Lake Swimmers, you’re heading out on tour with Kyp Malone/Rain Machine. How did you get hooked up with him?

I met Kyp in New York. I went to see Celebration play (who are amazing) and Kyp was opening for them at the time. He looked so familiar. I looked at the show bill again and realized I went to High School with his brother and introduced myself. His brother was a huge influence on me musically in high school. After that, he took me under his wing. We have played a couple shows together, but this is our first tour. I am so excited. His new songs are so good. I can’t wait to play with them every night!

What are your plans for when you get done touring?

I am hoping to settle back in at home and write and prepare my self to record a new album.  We will see, though. I tend to get distracted…