Sharon Van Etten

I get things out of my system through my songs, but, because they can be about so many different things, it takes me a while to get through them emotionally.

I totally lucked out by meeting a lot of amazing people. I guess it stems from going to shows and being confident enough to meet people and be able to talk to them like a normal person rather than have my head down all the time.

I think leading up to the tour is the most stressful part because you barely have any time home.

I only work with people that are mysteries.

The dilemma I have is that everything I do at work is all about me, and at what point is that selfish? I'm just talking and singing about myself, or I'm standing on a stage and hoping that everybody likes me. Obviously, it's also about the music and feeling and connecting; I know it's deeper than that.

I work a lot with sounds based on stream of consciousness. I like the way it sounds, then I turn it into something that makes more sense.

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 always write from a personal place - whether it be about my friends or myself or a story that I heard.

I hit 'record' whenever I'm going through a really hard time. I don't listen to it for a couple of days, so I have some perspective. If it's too personal to share, and I feel like would alienate the listeners, then I usually don't share that stuff.

Hopefully, the stuff that is way too personal that I record and keep - people won't hear it because it's way too personal.

I didn't think I was helping other people. But I think that comes hand in hand with trying to be able to connect with people, and if you make things too personal, then it's harder for people to relate to you. Otherwise, it's just them listening to you read your diary.