Sharon Van Etten has released a new a single called ‘Porta’, marking her first new solo release since 2020. The track was produced by Van Etten and Daniel Knowles, with backing from her live band of drummer Jorge Balbi, guitarist Charley Damski, and bassist Devin Hoff. Check out its Leslie Raymond-directed video below.
‘Porta’ was written in 2020 “at one of my lowest lows,” Van Etten explained in a press release. “For most of my adult life I have struggled with bouts of depression and anxiety and coping mechanisms, and I sometimes let those dark moments get the best of me. During this time I felt very dissociated. Not connected to my body and I felt out of control.”
Van Etten eventually reached out to her friend, Stella Cook, who runs Base Pilates in North Carolina. “I was seeking a friend, someone to talk to who understands what finding the core means but also knows what my weaknesses are and can help me work around them and find my other strengths,” she continued. “I knew I was entering a no judgment zone and I needed to be held accountable for my actions and Stella helped me step up. We would meet once a week on Zoom, have a catch up on life over a quick coffee and then get to work. Then, a day or two later she would send another video my way so I had something to work towards the end of the week. She was encouraging, but not pushy. If life got in the way, I didn’t feel like I let her down – but I loved our sessions. I looked forward to them. I started feeling closer to her, and closer to myself, and it helped things seem hopeful. And I just wanted to share that with the world,” says Van Etten. “Instead of the darkness. Instead of my fears. My message is to work through them. Even when it’s hard. Even when it hurts. Reach out. Reach out to that friend who helps you reach out towards yourself.”
Along with the track, Van Etten has also announced the Darkness Fades Tour, which will take her to Europe, the UK, and Ireland in the summer. The UK run kicks off on June 17 at London’s Brixton Academy and includes dates in Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, and Dublin, with support from L’Rain. Tickets go on sale from Friday, February 11 at 10am local time. Van Etten will then head out on a US tour alongside Angel Olsen, Julien Baker, and Spencer. Find her full itinerary below.
‘Porta’ follows Van Etten’s 2021 collaboration with Angel Olsen, ‘Like I Used To’, which made our best songs of the year list.
Sharon Van Etten 2022 Tour Dates:
Wed Mar 2 – Sat. Mar. 5 – Cancún, MX – One Big Holiday !
Thu Apr 21 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theatre ~
Fri Apr 22 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom ~
Sat Apr 23 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse ~
Sun Apr 24 – Charleston, SC – High Water Music Festival
Tue May 31 – Lisbon, PT – Aula Magna #
Thu Jun 2 – Barcelona, ES – Primavera Sound
Sun Jun 5 – München, DE – Muffathalle %
Mon Jun 6 – Antwerp, BE – Openluchttheater Rivierenhof %
Tue Jun 7 – Hamburg, DE – Markthalle %
Thu Jun 9 – Oslo, NE – Loaded &
Fri Jun 10 – Stockholm, SE – Rosendal, Djurgarden &
Sat Jun 11 – Copenhagen, DK – Syd For Solen &
Mon Jun 13 – Berlin, DE – Metropol %
Tue Jun 14 – Utrecht, NE – TivoliVredenberg Grote Zaal %
Wed Jun 15 – Paris, FR – La Cigale %
Fri Jun 17 – London, UK – O2 Brixton Academy %
Sat Jun 18 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute %
Sun Jun 19 – Leeds, UK – O2 Academy Leeds %
Tue Jun 21 – Glasgow, UK – Barrowland %
Wed Jun 22 – Dublin, IE – Vicar Street %
Thu Jul 21 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap Center For the Performing Arts *
Fri Jul 22 – Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit *
Sat Jul 23 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium *
Mon Jul 25 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater *
Thu Jul 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre *
Fri Jul 29 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre *
Sat Jul 30 – Berkeley, Ca – Greek Theatre *
Tue Aug 2 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater *
Wed Aug 3 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Amphitheater *
Fri Aug 5 – Boise, ID – Idaho Botanical Garden *
Sat Aug 6 – Salt Lake City, UT – TBA *
Sun Aug 7 – Denver, CO – Sculpture Park *
Tue Aug 9 – Minneapolis, MN – Surly Brewing Festival Field *
Wed Aug 10 – Chicago, IL – TBA *
Thu Aug 11 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe *
Fri Aug 12 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall *
Sat Aug 13 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall *
Mon Aug 15 – Shelburne, VT – The Green at Shelburne Museum *
Tue Aug 16 – LaFayette, NY – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards *
Thu Aug 18 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion *
Fri Aug 19 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at The Mann *
Sun Aug 21 – New York, NY – Central Park Summerstage *
! = with My Morning Jacket
~ = with Mia Joy
& = with The National
# = with The Weather Station
% = with L’Rain
* = The Wild Hearts Tour with Angel Olsen, Julien Baker, & Spencer
