Sharon Van Etten has shared details of the anniversary reissue of her third album ‘Trump’, along with a never-before-seen music video for ‘Serpents’.
The singer-songwriter celebrated 12 years today (Feb. 7) of ‘Trump,’ his critically acclaimed debut, and announced ‘Trump (Anniversary Edition)’ on March 24 (Pre-order).
The reissue, which will be available in a limited edition LP pressing on Crimson Splash vinyl, features a previously unreleased song called ‘This Is To Right’.
‘Trump’ was produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner and marked a breakthrough for Wayne Eaton.
In conjunction with today’s announcement, Van Etten has shared a recently discovered, previously unseen video for ‘Serpents’ directed by Galaxie 500’s Naomi Yang.
The singer explained in press materials that she chose not to release the 2011 shot video at the time due to feeling “uncomfortable in her own skin”.
Addressing the reader and his fans, Van Etten wrote: “About a year or two ago, Naomi Yang (of Galaxy 500) contacted me after she rediscovered a video we called ‘Trump.’ Made together in 2011 during the making.’, just before the album’s release. The song was for ‘Spents’.
“At the time, I didn’t have much experience with music videos. I was very insecure about being the center of a video. Maybe I wasn’t ready to face my demons. I know it sounds ridiculous. I could write them and perform them, but facing them and baring my soul on camera felt like something completely different, and I felt uncomfortable in my own skin when I looked at myself. chose not to release the video.
Wayne Eaton added: “Reading Naomi’s email during the pandemic, and seeing this younger version of me, I felt empathy for the emotions I tried to express in song and video. I could see within me a drive to share my soul and connect with others who felt a similar drive for answers, resolution, and despair.
“The timing was extraordinary, right around ‘Trump’s’ birthday,” Van Etten continued in his note. Thinking how restless I was, and now settled and settled. Thinking about how Aaron Dessner took a chance on me after I texted him with a demo rage.
“He could see through the hisses and slurs on my garage band demo, and that I had something to say. He could hear my snotty finger drumming and knew I had an inner rock kid.
“I remember when he gave me his Fender Jag, and after listening to the original demo, asked me to play ‘Serpents.’ It gave me more tools to find catharsis in my work. I’ve carried it with me ever since.”
The songwriter continued: “Being on the West Coast for the past two years, I look back at my community in New York and am forever grateful. I had so many friends and collaborators and opened those demos on the album. I help make it happen. Doug Keith and Ben Lord from my original touring band, Logan Cole, Peter Silberman from The Antlers, Jessica Larrabee from She Cap’s Bees, Thomas Bartlett from Domain, Rob Moss from Y Music, Wy Oak. K Jane Wassner, Julianna Barwick, Zach Condon of Beirut, Matt Barrick (of The Walkman), Clarice Jensen, Ben Lanz, Bryce Dessner, and Brian Dendorff (of The National).
Van Etten then expanded on the unreleased ‘It’s Too Right’. She said, “I almost forgot a song titled ‘It’s so true’ that didn’t make it on the record.”
“It was one of the first guitar ‘riffs’ I ever wrote and Gene Wassner sang with me on it. How good I had a song about not believing. Like the other shoe was about to drop. I still feel very blessed for the things I’ve had the chance to experience and achieve, and I feel very blessed to be celebrating this birthday with you.
“It means so much to have all these amazing musicians rally around me to help me find my voice. I still have a lot to figure out in my life and in my work, but I’m grateful for the support and Feeling the community, even though we’re all scattered. I hope that everyone who helped make this record, and who supported it, feels the love and appreciation that I have for all of you. maintain for
“I hope that by sharing this record again, with a new video and this forgotten track, that new audiences will be brought to this album and find meaning and relevance in it today. I may have been 30 when I made it, but I was a lost, broken, vulnerable kid. All the musicians on this album helped me come to life and perform in ways I never had before. Enjoy these songs. Sending all my love.”
‘Serpents’ features a supporting cast of Aaron Dessner (slide, guitar, bass) and Bryce Dessner (ebo guitar), Matt Barrick of The Walkman (drums), Thomas Bartlett of The Domains (keys) and Gene Wassner of Wyoak (vocals). was
Director Yang said: “Listening to ‘Spents,’ I was struck by the emotion of the song, the raw anger. I imagined that anger escaping and leaving the room behind – Sharon’s anger as expressed in the song.” which manifests in physical space.
“We shot this video on a cold January day…in an East Village walk-up loft borrowed from friends. It was me, on camera, running the projections we designed, And Sharon was performing. I’m glad to know that now on Trump’s 11th birthday, the ‘Serpents’ video will finally be seen.
The news follows Van Etten sharing ‘Never Gonna Change’ last year, taken from the deluxe edition of his latest album, We’re All Wrong.
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