A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be one of few in attendance to see Sharon Van Etten in the intimate Viper Room. I had no idea going in that she would be sharing an entire new project that had only played maybe one show before. But what I saw had me very excited for news to come, and it’s finally here. Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory are dropping their debut self-titled record Feb. 7 via Jagjaguwar (pre-order now)!
Sharon Van Etten has been a solo act for her entire career in terms of songwriting. That’s not the case here as this new project was borne out of rehearsing for an upcoming tour. “For the first time in my life, I asked the band if we could just jam. Words that have never come out of my mouth — ever! But I loved all the sounds we were getting. I was curious — what would happen?”
The band consists of Van Etten, Jorge Balbi (drums, machines), Devra Hoff (bass/vocals), and Teeny Lieberson (synth/piano/guitar/vocals). It’s a much different sound than any of Van Etten’s previous work but is closer to her work on Remind Me Tomorrow than any of her previous projects in terms of the synth sounds. Marta Salogni (Bjork, Bon Iver) produced the record.
The announcement came along with the premiere of the debut single “Afterlife”, which comes along with a video featuring footage of the band debuting many of the songs in London’s 100 Club earlier this year (watch below). The Viper Room show I attended was only the second show the band had ever played together.
A European tour was announced for early next year that runs from February through March. Crossing my fingers we see her back in LA sometime soon!
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory Tracklist:
1. Live Forever
2. Afterlife
3. Idiot Box
4. Trouble
5. Indio
6. I Can’t Imagine (Why You Feel This Way)
7. Somethin’ Ain’t Right
8. Southern Life (What It Must Be Like)
9. Fading Beauty
10. I Want You Here
Photo by Devin Oktar Yalkin
