THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Sharon Van Etten

Although Sharon Van Etten has only made one prior appearance at Elsewhere (the very favourable review of her 2012 album Tramp) the New York singer-songwriter has long been one of our favourites for her highly literate rock which has its roots in folk.

Her most recent album Are We There (deliberately without the question mark) has picked up the best reviews of her career, so to see her in concert  -- with the wonderful Robert Scott opening -- during March is going to be a real treat.

Before then she answers our Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire . . . 

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

Mamas & the Papas, Ani DiFranco, The Murmurs, Frente, Neil Young

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?

Jagger, Nirvana, Madonna, Jay-Z

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Psychology

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Mazzy Star – Fade into You, Grin – Soft Fun, Neil Young - Harvest

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

A photo of me and my drummer, Zeke Hutchins with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

PJ Harvey

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Kicking & Screaming (the Noah Baumbach one);  The Castle (the Austrlian one), and Penny Serenade with Cary Grant & Irene Dunne

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

VERCKYS & ORCHESTRE VÉVÉ - CONGOLESE FUNK,AFROBEAT AND PSYCHEDELIC RUMBA 2 VINYL LP

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you in that case would be . . .

The Kinks – You Really Got Me

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

The photograph of my friend that I used for my album artwork.

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

I already have too many…

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Going back to school to become a pychologist.

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

I don’t think this is my best record, but I think it best represents where I am right now.

SHARON VAN ETTEN TOUR DATES

(all shows with Robert Scott opening)

Auckland Kings Arms on Thursday March 12

Wellington Bodega Friday March 13

Lyttelton Wunderbar Saturday March 1

Dunedin Chick’s Hotel Sunday March 15