Taking Five with Sharon Van Etten

Photo by Dusdin Condren

Musician Sharon Van Etten’s 2012 debut, Tramp, deserved all of the many accolades that were lobbed its way: it was an intimate, revelatory album practically made for repeat listening (the song “Serpents” alone racked up a lot of mileage on our stereo). And this year’s sophomore effort, Are We There, is an even bolder effort in storytelling, that is, it should be pointed out, just as listenable. Van Etten, who also contributed an original desert-inspired mix for our Caravan issue, has spent much of the summer on the road and her world tour continues this fall. Here, she took a quick break to talk tour food favorites. FV

WHAT FOOD OR DRINK DO YOU ALWAYS PACK TO TAKE ON TOUR?

Chocolate and water

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE- OR POST-SHOW FOOD OR DRINK RITUALS?

Red wine all the time

ANYTHING SPECIAL YOU USE TO SOOTHE YOUR VOCAL CORDS?

Emergency whiskey or a hot toddy

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FOOD DESTINATIONS?

In San Francisco I always get tacos at El Metate and in Portland I love breakfast at Sweedeedee

WHAT ARE THE FIRST THINGS YOU WANT WHEN YOU GET HOME AFTER TOUR?

Italian food at Palma, a new wine recommendation from my local shop, and my French press coffee in the morning, enjoyed very slowly