Sharon Van Etten, a singer known for her distinct and controlled passion, has captivated a dedicated audience with her emotive albums under the esteemed indie label Jagjaguwar in the 2010s. Her breakthrough came with the 2012 debut album ‘Tramp’, which received widespread acclaim and set the stage for her musical evolution. With each subsequent release, from ‘Are We There’ in 2014 to ‘Remind Me Tomorrow’ in 2019, Van Etten has expanded her musical boundaries, culminating in the 2022 album ‘We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong’, where she delves into introspective and edgy emotional themes.
Van Etten’s musical journey traces back to her childhood, where she immersed herself in choral studies and instruments like the clarinet, violin, and piano before transitioning to the guitar. Beginning her songwriting endeavors in high school, Van Etten’s musical roots were nurtured through choir groups like the Madrigals, shaping her abilities in musical notation and harmonies. Her initial foray into professional music study at Middle Tennessee State University led to a detour into the vibrant music scene of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, before ultimately settling in Brooklyn to pursue her music career, marked by a serendipitous encounter with Kyp Malone of ‘TV on the Radio’, propelling her towards a full-fledged musical path.
A pivotal moment in Van Etten’s career came with her association with labels like Ba Da Bing Records and Jagjaguwar, leading to a series of critically acclaimed albums starting with ‘Because I Was in Love’ in 2009 and the more band-oriented ‘Epic’ in 2010. Signing with Jagjaguwar brought collaborations with prominent artists like ‘the National’ and producers like Aaron Dessner, resulting in the widely praised album ‘Tramp’. Van Etten’s musical exploration continued with ‘Are We There’ and ‘Remind Me Tomorrow’, showcasing her versatility and innovative soundscapes that garnered high praise and international recognition, solidifying her position as a dynamic and influential artist in the contemporary music scene.