Indie-folk singer Sharon Van Etten released her second single of 2022, “Used To It” following the emblematic synth-pop track, “Porta.”
“Used To It” was initially drafted as a part of a score for the HBO documentary Baby God, about Dr. Quincy Fortier who used his own sperm to inseminate his fertility patients. When HBO chose to go in a different direction musically, Van Etten was left in a position that challenged her to “write a song about the concept of family, connection through blood, nature vs nurture, while attempting to incorporate ideas of love and the complexities of science and technology.”
The accompanying music video was created by bandmate and musical director Charley Damski. In its dreamy, VHS home video imagery, Van Etten’s visage overlaps with desert scenery and the performance of choreographer/dancer Hayden J. Frederick. With her team, Van Etten was able to visually conceptualize her internal struggles “while also finding space for oneself and embracing that pain in order to move on.”
Van Etten’s voice is always full of longing. Her composure is distant, brimming with a familiarity that shocks you with its emotional release, without being overtly extreme. Entranced, you want to edge closer to her, but don’t know if you can…
With Sharon Van Etten, there is a sense of “what will be, will be”— not in a fatalistic sense, but as if she has seen and done it all before. Wherever we are going, Van Etten has already been there. She’ll see you on the other side.
Sharon Van Etten will perform southern dates with Mia Joy before going on her European Darkness Fades Tour. Van Etten will then embark on The Wild Hearts Tour with Angel Olsen, Julien Baker, and Spencer. For tour dates, go to Sharon Van Etten’s official site.
Keep up with Charley Damski here.
Follow Hayden J. Frederick.
Cover photo courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR. Taken by Michael Schmelling.