SHARON VAN ETTEN

Moving to New York City and doing what I do, social anxiety is a really ridiculous kind of curse to have. But I met people along the way who deal with it - performers as well - and they are learning to deal with it daily and deal with it in different ways.

I think there are times in a lot of people's pasts where they've unintentionally fallen in love with really damaged people. You go out with someone who's a mess so you can feel less of a mess.

I don't want to bury anything in poetry.

Everything will be okay. I have a sticker on my laptop that says that.

I have this red cardigan that my friend Coco gave me that has holes for thumbs. It's my cozy sweater. I wear it a lot.

One day when I have a band I will have a band name, but since it's just me I feel it should just be my name. For me it doesn't make much sense since the music is from me and about me. I haven't ever been in a band.

I've always been really shy. I was always afraid of any kind of confrontation.

I'm really out of touch with myself emotionally. I've always had a hard time talking about how I feel.

I hate putting negative energy out into the world. But it's either inside or out. I mean, it's either get an ulcer or have a fight.

I try to focus on the melodies and try to make everything else minimal. The melody and the lyrics are most important to me.

My mom used to ask me when I was gonna write a happy song. I still tell her that it's when I start to write really happy-sounding songs that everyone needs to start worrying.

The only thing that's helped me get through some really hard times was just being able to write and express - it's very cathartic for me. I'm hoping that, by writing and performing for other people, it affects them the same way.

I have a day job Monday to Friday. I work at a record label in Brooklyn called Ba Da Bing. It's a great indie label and I listen to music all day. I meet people online and find out about the cool new music blogs.

I'm getting bored performing the same songs over and over. Songwriting comes and goes.

Honestly, live is my favorite way of performing. Every show is a completely different energy.

Writing songs helped me figure out how to communicate with other people. I finally figured out that if I could express something in a song, I could probably express it in my real life, too.

I love being domestic: making coffee, just putting on a record, and just sitting, not doing anything. It's so great.

I guess I usually write when I'm in a really intense headspace, because it's my form of self-therapy.

I'm still learning how to be comfortable touring. I haven't found that balance yet.

I'm trying to learn how to cook.

I only work with people that are mysteries.

I'm very democratic about stuff. I know what I want, but I also like getting opinions and people sharing ideas.

I like having a home. I like having a place to return to.

People relate to songs so differently. No matter what it's about in reality, people create their own meaning behind it and connect with it on their own terms.

If I start panicking a little bit, I just talk through it with somebody.