Sharon Van Etten has shared her new single ‘Porta’ and announced a set of UK tour dates – you can check out both below.

The track is Van Etten’s first new music release of 2022, and it follows on from her May 2021 team-up with Angel Olsen on ‘Like I Used To’.

Produced by Van Etten (vocals, synths, drum machines) and Daniel Knowles (synths), and backed by her live band of Jorge Balbi (drums), Charley Damski (guitars) and Devin Hoff (bass), ‘Porta’ was written in 2020, Van Etten says, “at one of my lowest lows”.

“For most of my adult life I have struggled with bouts of depression and anxiety and coping mechanisms, and I sometimes let those dark moments get the best of me,” she explained in a statement. “During this time I felt very dissociated. Not connected to my body and I felt out of control.”

Van Etten said that she then reached out to her friend Stella Cook, who runs Base Pilates in North Carolina.

“I was seeking a friend, someone to talk to who understands what finding the core means but also knows what my weaknesses are and can help me work around them and find my other strengths,” she continued. “I knew I was entering a no judgment zone and I needed to be held accountable for my actions and Stella helped me step up.

“We would meet once a week on Zoom, have a catch up on life over a quick coffee and then get to work. Then, a day or two later she would send another video my way so I had something to work towards the end of the week. She was encouraging, but not pushy. If life got in the way, I didn’t feel like I let her down – but I loved our sessions. I looked forward to them. I started feeling closer to her, and closer to myself, and it helped things seem hopeful. And I just wanted to share that with the world.”

Van Etten added: “Instead of the darkness. Instead of my fears. My message is to work through them. Even when it’s hard. Even when it hurts. Reach out. Reach out to that friend who helps you reach out towards yourself.”

Van Etten has also announced a UK and European tour for this summer, which includes dates in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow.

Tickets go on sale on Friday (February 11) at 10am local time from here, and you can see Van Etten’s upcoming UK and European tour dates below.

May
31 – Aula Magna, Lisbon, Portgual

June
2 – Primavera Sound, Barcelona, Spain
5 – Muffathalle, Munich, Germany
6 – Openluchttheater Rivierenhof, Antwerp, Belgium
7 – Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany
9 – Loaded, Oslo, Norway
10 – Rosendal, Djurgarden, Stockholm, Sweden
11 – Syd For Solen, Copenhagen, Denmark
13 – Metropol, Berlin, Germany
14 – TivoliVredenberg Grote Zaal, Utrecht, Netherlands
15 – La Cigale, Paris, France
17 – O2 Brixton Academy, London
18 – O2 Institute, Birmingham
19 – O2 Academy, Leeds
21 – Barrowland, Glasgow
22 – Vicar Street, Dublin

For help and advice on mental health:

• Help Musicians UK – Around the clock mental health support and advice for musicians (CALL MUSIC MINDS MATTER ON: 0808 802 8008)
• CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably
• Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues (CALL: 0800 030 6789)
• YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
• Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
• The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day