A Free Man

Crikey (to use the local parlance), that was a longer break than I had intended. A Free Man is settled in Oz, but still lacking a proper internet connection. So, posting will continue to be sparse for the short term. But today, we’re back with an interview of talented new singer-songwriter whose music appeared in my Inbox not too long ago.

One of the drawbacks of the digital music revolution is that I fear it means the end to album art. Beyond the very pragmatic use as a surface for drug preparation, album covers are an integral part of the album experience. As CDs start to go the way of cassette tapes, I’m not sure where the visual component of music fits in.

All this is prelude to a discussion of Sharon Van Etten. The Brooklyn based singer-songwriter passed on a hand made CD-R of some of her recent work. The package itself was so gorgeous and intimate that I was already a fan before I heard a lick. But, Sharon Van Etten doesn’t disappoint musically either. It’s spare, fragile folk music - powerful in it’s raw emotion.

Sharon was kind enough to sit down on the virtual couch for her first ever interview:

AFM: I was really enchanted by your music, reminded me a little bit of early Cat Power, with her coy ethereal tone, or P.J. Harvey, with her spare honesty. What are your musical inspirations?

SVE: Aw… thanks! PJ Harvey, for sure. I only just started listening to Cat Power, embarrassingly enough… but mostly Vashti Bunyan, Diane Cluck, Meg Baird, Sibylle Baier, and Anne Briggs.

AFM: The CD that you sent to me was beautifully packaged. One of the things that bothers me about the transition to digital music is the inevitable loss of album art. What do you think is the future of the visual aspect of music?

SVE: That’s hard to say. I am worried about the direction of it all. There has been some amazing artwork available online, and some beautiful graphic design online, but I guess I hope that there are people that still enjoy holding something. It’s hard to gauge how sentimental future generations will be with mp3’s.

AFM: I see on your website that you just got back from playing in the UK. How were you received in Blighty?

SVE: Surprisingly well. Especially that being my first tour over there. I was lucky enough to open up for Meg Baird every night and took many notes on how to be more calm and graceful and gracious. The people I got to speak with were very kind and receptive to what I was doing, although a bit different than what Meg is doing.

AFM: Did you run into any interesting bands or artists over there?

SVE: Yes. I met Cat Stevens, who is a great photographer who traveled around with us taking pictures. Musicians - Birdengine (from Brighton), Lucie Wren (from London) , Dean McPhee (from Lancaster) , David A Jaycock (from Manchester) - and randomly I got to see, hear, and meet Mariee Sioux (from California) in London. Gosh. I really lucked out to get to see all these amazing people.

AFM: There’s a lot of great music coming out of Brooklyn right now. Why Brooklyn rather than the more obvious Manhattan?

SVE: It’s more affordable out here. So more artists can afford it. Even some areas of Brooklyn people feel pushed out and feel living is getting to be more and more. Brooklyn is so much bigger than Manhattan there are more places to go and so many trains that it’s easy to go most places anyway… and since venues are strapped as much for money out here there is less pressure and more of a friend vibe from owners and such out here.

AFM: Who else should we be paying attention to from your neck of the woods?

SVE: Forest Fire, She Keeps Bees, Wild Yaks, Airwaves, Essie Jain, Power Douglas, Scary Mansion, Miles Robinson, Ivana XL… so many.

AFM: Fantasy time. You’re a solo artist, but if you were putting together a dream band, which musicians, living or dead, would you sign on:

SVE: Vox: Vashti Bunyan, Joan Baez, or Jessica Larrabee
Guitars: Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, or Geoff Farina
Bass: Jeff Goddard
Drums: Sam Baker or Gavin McCarthy
Horns: Zach Condon

AFM: What’s getting heavy rotation on your personal playlist right now?

SVE: Elvis Costello, Ryan Adams, Festival, Lights, Patti Smith, Mt. Egypt, Wildbirds & Peacedrums

AFM: Who’s your musical hero?

SVE: It’s a tie between Geoff Farina, Neil Young, and Vashti Bunyan

AFM: What’s next for Sharon Van Etten?

SVE: Putting out my first real album recorded by Greg Weeks at Hexham Head and hopefully doing and East Coast tour in the summer. (fingers crossed)

———-

Wishing her the best. Check out Sharon’s music on her mspace page. I’m sure she’d be delighted to send you one of her beautifully crafted CDs.

Sharon Van Etten - “Have You Seen”

Sharon Van Etten - “It’s Not Like”

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