Sharon Van Etten: “Serpents”
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In 2009, singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten made a quiet splash with her debut album Because I Was In Love–the operative word being “quiet.” The record mainly featured Van Etten’s haunting voice and acoustic guitar. But on 2010′s Epic, as you might have guessed, Van Etten’s music lived up to the record’s title, incorporating a full band with organs, electric guitars, and layers of her own voice. At the heart of it all is her strong songwriting, which is more forceful and dynamic than your standard songwriting fare.
As a result, she’s earned a strong fanbase, especially among her peers. Early next year, Van Etten is set to release Tramp, a record that features a who’s-who of contemporary indie musicians. Among the contributors are the National’s Aaron Dessner; Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner, the Walkmen’s Matt Barrick, and many, many more. These artists all appear on the album’s first single, “Serpents,” a song that finds Van Etten creating a dark vocal symphony with a little help from her friends. Tramp won’t see a release until February 7, but you can get a first taste of the album with today’s song of the day.
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