Sharon Van Etten Covers R.E.M., Records w/ Aaron Dessner

Great news for fans of Sharon Van Etten’s stunning sophomore record, Epic: the Tennessee raised, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter is setting out on a massive U.S. tour while beginning work on a follow-up LP with none other than the National’s Aaron Dessner.

“It’s been really nice just to get the bare bones,” Dessner told Pitchfork recently of the “intimately heart-wrenching songs” they’re recording during free moments at home in his Brooklyn garage/studio. “She has a lot of songs. It’s going to be interesting to see all of the things that we can record. She just has such an amazing voice… I don’t even know if I would call it ‘producing’ as much as, just, we’re out there working.”

Notably, Dessner referred to “we” numerous times in that interview and elsewhere, so perhaps other members of the National — not to mention a certain BFF — will be involved in this highly anticipated release. We won’t be finding out anytime soon, though, as Van Etten will be on the road through April. Check out tour dates here and enjoy her cover of R.E.M.’s 1995 Monster single “Strange Currencies,” performed with Megafaun’s Brad Cook at the Bowery Ballroom tour kickoff show over the weekend, below (via Muzzle of Bees):