My 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 Etten
I’m getting bored performing the same songs over and over. Songwriting comes and goes. – Sharon Van Etten
I 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 Etten
I 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
I guess I usually write when I’m in a really intense headspace, because it’s my form of self-therapy. – Sharon Van Etten
Writing songs helped me figure out how to communicate with other people. I finally figured out that if I could express something in a song, I could probably express it in my real life, too. – Sharon Van Etten
Honestly, live is my favorite way of performing. Every show is a completely different energy. – Sharon Van Etten
I 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 Etten
I’m still learning how to be comfortable touring. I haven’t found that balance yet. – Sharon Van Etten
One 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 Etten
I love being domestic: making coffee, just putting on a record, and just sitting, not doing anything. It’s so great. – Sharon Van Etten
The only thing that’s helped me get through some really hard times was just being able to write and express – it’s very cathartic for me. I’m hoping that, by writing and performing for other people, it affects them the same way. – Sharon Van Etten
I think there are times in a lot of people’s pasts where they’ve unintentionally fallen in love with really damaged people. You go out with someone who’s a mess so you can feel less of a mess. – Sharon Van Etten
I’m really out of touch with myself emotionally. I’ve always had a hard time talking about how I feel. – Sharon Van Etten
I 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 Etten
Moving to New York City and doing what I do, social anxiety is a really ridiculous kind of curse to have. But I met people along the way who deal with it – performers as well – and they are learning to deal with it daily and deal with it in different ways. – Sharon Van Etten
