Interview: Sharon Van Etten

Last year Brooklyn-based musician Sharon Van Etten unveiled her incredible fourth album Are We There, a record that was punctuated by the goose-bump inducing single 'Your Love Is Killing Me'. The track, in which Van Etten lyrically wears her heart on her sleeve, describes a time in her life when she fell down the rabbithole of an ultimately destructive relationship while trying to establish her musical career. As a whole, the beautifully constructed and dark record marks a high point in a successful struggle for the New Jersey native, who has worked extremely hard to get where she is.

The 34-year-old initially started writing music on the sly while working in hospitality and living with a partner who was verbally unsupportive of her passion. After six year she left the abusive relationship and moved back home, where she plucked up the nerve to pursue a full-time music career. She eventually returned to Brooklyn and hustled her music, gaining the encouragement of Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio), and working up to releasing her debut album Because I Was In Love in 2009,  a release that gained positive critical attention and set her on her current path. With her impending visit to New Zealand next week, UnderTheRadar caught up with Sharon to talk about her new album, horoscopes, healthy cooking and unhealthy relationships...

Click here to read the interview, and watch the incredible video for 'Your Love Is Killing Me' below...

Sharon Van Etten is playing four New Zealand shows starting with a performance on Thursday 12th March at Kings Arms Tavern in Auckland, head over here for full dates, details and to buy tickets.