By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Known for her indie folk/rock that is open, honest, and as heartwarming as is it heartbreaking, American singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten will perform live in Rio de Janeiro for the first time on Thursday, June 11th at Imperator Centro Cultural João Nogueira, located in in the city’s Zona Norte (North Zone) neighborhood of Méier. The show comes only days after the release of her new five-song EP entitled, I Don’t Want to Let You Down.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Van Etten emerged from the Brooklyn, New York indie music scene in the late 2000s. Her music career followed years of working, studying, and living in an unsupportive romantic relationship in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as well as a brief period as a sommelier in training in New York City.
To date, Van Etten has released four studio albums with tracks featuring folk infused melodies with stream-of-consciousness lyrics that depict ambiguous personal narratives.
With each release, Van Etten’s music has become fuller, featuring more elaborate arrangements and more polished production. From her sparse debut album, Because I Was in Love to the most recent album release, Are We There, to the I Don’t Want to Let You Down EP, growth, both musically and personally is evident.
Throughout the years, her strong and confident vocalization of revelatory and intimate lyrics addressing everything from abusive relationships to choosing career over a true love, has helped her to build a fanbase around the world.
Van Etten arrives in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, June 11th, the eve of Dia dos Namorados (Brazilian Valentine’s Day), thanks to the help of Queremos, a Rio-based crowdfunded kickstarter, that connects musicians, agents, fans and venues.
Imperator Centro Cultural João Nogueira’s door will open at 9:30 PM on Thursday and tickets are still available for the show.
Who: Sharon Van Etten
When: Thursday, June 11th, 9:30 PM
Where: Imperator Centro Cultural João Nogueira, R. Dias da Cruz, 170, Meier
Entrance: R$80-R$160