The musician lifestyle is not easy for most people to understand. This is something I'm struggling with. When you're on tour, people think you're just having the time of your life and it's really romantic.
Sharon Van EttenI'm really out of touch with myself emotionally. I've always had a hard time talking about how I feel.
Sharon Van EttenI guess I usually write when I'm in a really intense headspace, because it's my form of self-therapy.
Sharon Van EttenMy mom used to ask me when I was gonna write a happy song. I still tell her that it's when I start to write really happy-sounding songs that everyone needs to start worrying.
Sharon Van EttenOne day when I have a band I will have a band name, but since it's just me I feel it should just be my name. For me it doesn't make much sense since the music is from me and about me. I haven't ever been in a band.
Sharon Van EttenI'm getting bored performing the same songs over and over. Songwriting comes and goes.
Sharon Van EttenI grew up going to musicals with my mom here in New York, going to Broadway. I used to be in musicals in high school.
Sharon Van EttenIt's hard if you're just touring constantly. It's like, "What am I going to write about? I'm in the van, I'm playing another show..." I'm still writing about heartbreak that happened years ago. I don't see the point of writing and putting out another record until I can do something else.
Sharon Van EttenHonestly, live is my favorite way of performing. Every show is a completely different energy. With recording, it's not really as organic as it can be. But I feel like I'm a lot more fluid, and I can be a little bit more aggressive.
Sharon Van EttenHonestly, live is my favorite way of performing. Every show is a completely different energy.
Sharon Van EttenNow I'm starting to understand what the kind of power is. It has been healing for me, and very therapeutic even today. It's one of the reasons why I went back to school to study psychology and mental health, was to understand why that is.
Sharon Van EttenI was in musicals and I was in the choir when I was younger. Before I started writing my own songs I thought I wanted to be on Broadway, but it was nothing I ever really pursued. So this was pretty out of the blue.
Sharon Van EttenWhen you get home after being gone for a month or two, time moves on without you. You're scrambling to catch up with the people. Some friends and family understand, but then there are others who just think that you can't find enough time in your life for them.
Sharon Van EttenI have this red cardigan that my friend Coco gave me that has holes for thumbs. It's my cozy sweater. I wear it a lot.
Sharon Van EttenDon't ever feel inhibited. It's harder to censor yourself than to just be yourself.
Sharon Van EttenI have a day job Monday to Friday. I work at a record label in Brooklyn called Ba Da Bing. It's a great indie label and I listen to music all day. I meet people online and find out about the cool new music blogs.
Sharon Van EttenI hate putting negative energy out into the world. But it's either inside or out. I mean, it's either get an ulcer or have a fight.
Sharon Van EttenIf you work on anything long enough hopefully youโll get better and I feel like weโre just growing.
Sharon Van EttenI try to focus on the melodies and try to make everything else minimal. The melody and the lyrics are most important to me.
Sharon Van Etten