We're Back

After a few weeks of traveling and busy work schedules we're back consuming and sharing new tunes - so the first things we thought deserved mention were the new tracks from tUnE-yArDs and Sharon Van Etten - two long-time Stark artists who have graced our top 5 album off the year lists in the past. SVE's Are We There comes out May 27th, and tUnE-yArDs mature and robust effort Nikki Nack comes out May 6. You can stream it now on NPR.

Sharon Van Etten: Are We There May 27th

"Sharon Van Etten's Are We There is out May 27th on Jagjaguwar. After a series of warmup shows in the Northeast, her initial nationwide tour in support of Are We There will kick off the second week of June with three New York shows and culminate in Chicago at the Pitchfork Music Festival... we are witnessing a new awareness, a sign of Van Etten in full stride, writing, producing and performing from a place that seems almost mythical, were it not so touchable and real. Always direct, and never shying away from even the most personally painful narratives, Van Etten's songwriting continues to evolve." Press Release.

Sharon Van Etten: "Leonard" Video

From SVE's lovely Tramp, out now.

New Sharon Van Etten: "Serpents"

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Serpents"

We've already written about Sharon Van Etten's new album Tramp, dropping Feb 7 on Secretly Canadian. Today, we get the first taste from that record in the form of "Serpents" - a concise, tight, piece of songwriting that wouldn't have been out of place on her fabulous last record 'Epic.'

Sharon Van Etten Announces Jagjaguwar Debut

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Don't Do It" 

We've been biting our tongue waiting to announce the new record from long-time Stark favorite Sharon Van Etten. After penning my #3 album of last year 'Epic' Van Etten inked a deal with the venerable indie Jagjaguwar. Today, the official news dropped that Tramp, her new album recorded with The National's Aaron Dessner will come out Feb 7. We haven't heard any music yet, so we'll let the press release sum up the facts below. Very exciting news.

Van Etten’s Tramp contains as much striking rock as pious, minimal beauty; it can be as emotionally combative as it can sultry. Contributions from Matt Barrick (Walkmen), Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), Zach Condon (Beirut), Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak), Julianna Barwick, and Dessner himself add a glowing sheen to the already substantial offering.

Van Etten will play shows with Shearwater and The War On Drugs all over North America in support of this release. A list of tour dates is after the jump. 

TRAMP TRACKLISTING:

01. Warsaw

02. Give Out

03. Serpents

04. Kevin’s

05. Leonard

06. In Line

07. All I Can

08. We Are Fine

09. Magic Chords

10. Ask

11. I’m Wrong

12. Joke or a Lie

Video Premiere: Sweet Lights' "One Day"

[mp3] Sweet Lights: "One Day (Sharon Van Etten Cover)"

"After being mysteriously compelled to cover "One Day" by Sharon Van Etten a day after finally hearing her music, I soon found myself compelled to make a video. I thought I had some footage sitting around that might fit the mood.

And so it goes...here's my sister's Feb. 13th, 1985 band recital from Churchill Middle School. The opening line, "sister don't mind..." was a complete coincidence....not planned at all. Yet another reason to QUICKLY whip up videos that may not seem to make any sense at first but eventually take on meaning (if perhaps only to me). The video, like the cover, is a slow burn...it's MELLOW. And, full disclosure, both the song and video sample The Ronettes "Be My Baby".

You know where to find me, Spector...

Anyway, hope you enjoy the visual accompaniment.
Enjoy all Sweet Lights videos HERE"

It seems Shai Halperin aka Sweet Lights is making music and videos strictly for our benefit. While not true of course, his tastes certainly seem in line with ours, as evidenced by his cover of Sharon Van Etten's "One Day" a highlight from her year-end topping album Epic. We're super thrilled today to debut the new video Shai has made. The response to his last video, the Bill Cosby dance-off for "One Hundrerd Needle Pins" was stellar. So, if you haven't bought the record yet, what are you waiting for? Thanks to SVB for the mp3 host and the below video!

New Sharon Van Etten: Don't Do It

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Don't Do It"

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Love More"

As with the Tallest Man, there is not much more for us to say about our love for Sharon Van Etten's music, other than go buy Epic, her new album, right now. Certainly a contender in our race towards year end album supremecy. The other day, SVE released her new single, "Don't Do It" which you can grab above. Really though, don't just settle for these two tracks, go get the whole thing, and see her live -- it's the real deal. Check out Sharon's tour dates after the jump.

SHARON VAN ETTEN TOUR DATES:

Tuesday, Sept. 14 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 w/ Marissa Nadler

Friday, Sep. 17 - Durham, NC @ Hayti Heritage Center at Duke University

Saturday, Sep. 18 - Durham, NC @ Hayti Heritage Center at Duke University

Sun,day, Sep. 19 - Durham, NC @ Hayti Heritage Center at Duke University

Saturday, Sep. 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echo/Echoplex - Waved Out Festival

Friday, Oct. 8 - Brooklyn, NY @ Rock Shop w/ Julianna Barwick, She Keeps Bees – Record Release Show

Saturday, Oct. 9 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge w/ Kyp Malone – Record Release Show

Monday, Oct. 11 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat Backstage w/ Bowerbirds

Wednesday, Oct. 13 - Ithaca, NY @ Castaways w/ Bowerbirds

Thursday, Oct. 14 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse w/ Bowerbirds

Monday, Nov. 1 - Philadelphia @ World Café w/ Junip

Tuesday, Nov. 2 - Boston @ Royale w/ Junip

Wednesday, Nov. 3 - Winooski, VT @ Monkey House

Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Montreal, QC @ Belmont w/ Junip

Thursday, Nov. 5 - Toronto @ Lee's Palace w/ Junip

Friday, Nov. 6 - Chicago @ Lincoln Hall w/ Junip

Saturday, Nov. 7 - Minneapolis @ Cedar Cultural Center w/ Junip

Wednesday, Nov. 10 - Seattle @ Neumos's w/ Junip

Thursday, Nov. 11 - Vancouver, BC @ Venue w/ Junip

Friday, Nov. 12 - Portland @ Doug Fir w/ Junip

Saturday, Nov. 13 - San Francisco @ Independent w/ Junip

Sunday, Nov. 14 - Los Angeles @ Music Box w/ Junip

Tuesday, Nov. 16 - Phoenix @ Rhythm Room w/ Junip

Thursday, Nov. 18 - Austin @ Mohawk w/ Junip

Friday, Nov. 19 - Houston @ Fitzgerald's w/ Junip

Saturday, Nov. 20 - Baton Rouge @ Spanish Moon w/ Junip

Monday, Nov. 22 - Carrboro @ Cat's Cradle w/ Junip

Sharon Van Etten Take Away Show

Take Away Show #109 _ SHARON VAN ETTEN (long version) from vincent moon / temporary areas on Vimeo.

[mp3]Sharon Van Etten: "Love More"

Sharon Van Etten was made for Take Away Shows. One almost feels like, with someone with that much talent, you could put her in the most awkward of situations and she would still sound amazing. So, really, pairing her up with Vincent Moon was a no brainer. Yet, Moon has been slowly taking interest in other projects, and personally making fewer Take Away Shows. It's a testament to Van Etten's talent, that Moon choose her for his most recent piece, filmed in Red Hook in February of this year. It begins with Van Etten driving down the BQE towards Red Hook, passing, both Van Etten's and my own, favorite place to view the city -- that stretch as lower Manhattan juts out of the East River just as you're driving under Brooklyn Heights. As Van Etten performs in a cold riverside park in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, it's clear how far she's come in just a short amount of time. Her voice and tone are more mature, darker, less sweet, but no less powerful and moving. Sharon's music becomes a beautiful backdrop, to what really is, at its core, another marvelous short film by Vincent Moon. In the end, I don't know who I'm more impressed with -- all I know, is that I love it. Sharon Van Etten's new record, Epic comes out on Ba Da Bing on October 5th. She's also touring with our other favorite Marissa Nadler. Dates after the jump.

Tweet

Saturday, Aug. 7 – Brooklyn, NY @ Bushwick Starr w/ Mike Visser
Wednesday, Sept. 8 - Washington, DC @ DC9 w/ Marissa Nadler
Thursday, Sept. 9 - Charlottesville, VA @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar w/ Marissa Nadler
Friday, Sept. 10 - Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Festival at the Pour House w/ Marissa Nadler
Sunday, Sept. 12 - Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone w/ Marissa Nadler
Monday, Sept. 13 - Knoxville, TN @ The Pilot Light w/ Marissa Nadler
Tuesday, Sept. 14 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 w/ Marissa Nadler

New Sharon Van Etten: Epic

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Love More"

Some great news across the ole' blog wire yesterday, perennial Stark favorite Sharon Van Etten will release her new album Epic via Ba Da Bing on October 5th. Her debut record Because I Was in Love was a hushed and subtle affair that packed a huge punch, making its way into my top 5 records of '09. Sharon's talents and reputation have spread throughout the industry leading to noteable collaborations with friends The Antlers and to Bon Iver and The National covering the above song (from Epic) last year. While we love getting the occasional pitch from her on Ba Da Bing artists, here's to hoping that with Epic Ms. Van Etten will be able to quit the publicist day job and enjoy the fruits of her more than abundant talent.

Saturday: Damon & Naomi with Sharon Van Etten

This Saturday, 92Y Tribeca will host a special evening featuring Damon & Naomi, of Galxie 500, as well as oft-posted about Brooklyn songstress Sharon Van Etten. Along with live performances from all, there will be a special screening of "1001 Nights, a comprehensive video anthology of the duo. The screening is followed by a Q&A moderated by Haden Guest, Director of the Harvard Film Archive, with Damon & Naomi and Michio Kurihara of the legendary Japanese band Ghost, who is featured in the film."

Weathervane, WXPN, & New Sharon Van Etten

Stream Sharon Van Etten's: "Love More"

We're extremely excited about the collaboration between the independent music organization Weathervane Music and one of the best radio stations in the land, Philadelphia's WXPN. Weathervane seeks to create innovative projects intended to help bolster the careers of emerging-indie artists. Their first debut of the year comes from Sharon Van Etten, one of Stark's favorite new artists and the creator of Matt's #5 record of 2009, Because I Was In Love. The Tripwire debuted her brand new tune today "Love More" as part of Weathervane/XPN's "Shaking Through" series. It's freaking gorgeous.

Forest Fire "Survival" CD Release Party

[mp3] Forest Fire: "I Make Windows"

[mp3] Forest Fire: "Fortune Teller"

We're newcomers to the sounds of Brooklyn's Forest Fire (dig their myspace URL!). We're glad we made it though. Forest Fire's debut record Survival saw a limited release last year, but those who found it praised it quite heavily. The most notable outlet to do so, the venerable La Blogotheque, named Survival their number one record of 2008. The album will finally see a proper release on Infinite Best Recordings, which will include a limited edition vinyl, of which only 300 will be produced. We've been listening to Survival over here for the past week and enjoying every minute. It's a ramshackle collection of genres ranging from country, to folk, to more straightforward jangly rock and roll. Yet, all of it mashes together into a tasteful melange of tambourine, guitar, campfire vocal harmonies and lo-fi drums. You can almost see the various musicians wandering into the makeshift studio (see above) to record their takes, relax, have some drugs and hang out. To make the deal even sweeter, one of our 2009 favorites, Sharon Van Etten sings back up on many tracks and takes the lead on track "Sunshine City."

One of our favorite blogs, Chocolate Bobka will be hosting Forest Fire at Union Hall on Monday, August 10th for their CD release party. The show also features Shilpa Ray and Holograms. According to the band "there will be an overall sense of danger in the air" there will also be cookies. You can win free tix on Chocolate Bobka by naming your favorite tree in the comments section. Check out the flyer for more details after the jump.

New Alela Diane Video & EP

[mp3] Alela Diane "White as Diamonds"

Yeah, we're huge suckers for her it's true. Alela Diane's most recent release To Be Still (Rough Trade) will be in my (Matt's) top albums of the year for sure. Above is a new video (with her Dad) from the DUMBO West Sessions for the haunting album closer "Lady Divine." We're bummed we're going to miss her show in New York with the equally fantastic Sharon Van Etten August 14th at Union Hall, but hey, the beach is the beach. (We're going on vacation. Yes, bloggers do like the sun sometimes.)

Alela is releasing a new EP with her bandmate and fabulous vocalist Alina Hardin on October 6th via Rough Trade. To Be Still is out now.

Sharon Van Etten - Guest Apartment

Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com

You all know we love her. Here's why. Her debut album, Because I was in Love is out now on Drag City.

Northside Picks for Tonight

Photo: Chris La Putt for BV

While there is a TON of Northside Festival stuff going on tonight, including a BBQ at Studio B and the Hold Steady at Music Hall (BV has a good round up of events) our picks for tonight are the amazing bill of Olof Arnalds and Sharon Van Etten at Union Pool, and Ducktails at Cameo. Ducktails produce a gauzy, summery-sounding electronic music that is as pleasant as sipping Campari while sitting on a plastic beach chair around an inflatable kiddie pool somewhere in New Jersey. We mean that in a cool, badass, fun kind of way.

ANYWAY. We would be remiss in not expounding again on how great Olof Arnalds and Sharon Van Etten are. Listen to their music on myspace (click their names) and see for yourself. We're heading out to pick up our badges and shoes!!

Video: Sharon Van Etten "For You"

[mp3]Sharon Van Etten: "For You"

It can't be easy for a singer songwriter in the folk genre. Every night in every town you have countless men and women slinging their songs with acoustic guitars and softly sung lyrics. Luckily for us, Brooklyn-based Sharon Van Etten has found her way out of the mire and into the eye of the press, receiving rave reviews (see our thoughts here) for her new album because I was in love, due May 9 on Language of Stone. Hew new video "For You" debuted on Pitchfork, no less. Yes, even they label her as a Cat Power disciple, but her songs and this video are a stark reminder that only a mass of talent and a good voice can propel one above the sea of open-mic-mediocrity. Van Etten is currently touring Europe with the equally great and underappreciated Great Lake Swimmers.

because I was in love...

There's a softly beguiling and mysterious nature to Sharon Van Etten's songs, which is strange, because her lyrics and arrangements are stripped bare, exposed, and highly intimate. Van Etten let's you into her bedroom here, and the melancholy beauty of her songs is instantly arresting. Brooklyn-based, but Tennessee-raised, Van Etten is releasing her debut record because I was in love on May 9 via Language of Stone. Her guitar playing is dusty in the just right way, which perfectly compliments her crystalline voice. Sharon Van Etten is clearly one of the best newcomers on the folk scene today. Yet, it's cheap to categorize by genre. The loveliness of this record, both sonically and lyrically, transcends categorization to the point where it becomes just great music. See the cover art and tour dates (including dates w/ Beirut) after the jump.



















because I was in love - May 9

Apr 19 2009 Spike Hill w/ Spider, Aerial East, Noa Babayof (from Israel) BROOKLYN
Apr 20 2009 Zebulon Friends and Family Night Brooklyn, New York
May 8 2009 The Forum w/ BEIRUT London and South East