Best of NYC #11: Sharon Von Etten, live at The Rock Shop, August 2

We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record store personnel, DJs, and our writers and readers).

In a Brooklyn full of up-and-coming female artists, Van Etten’s sparse yet powerfully passive expressiveness creates a magnetic pull-quality that seems to set her apart. This is most un-rushed stuff I’ve heard in a long time – all while being totally captivating. The slow-paced, hypnotic melodies and harmonies, backed only by an acoustic guitar and set alongside self-reflective lyrics, are by no means boring. Getting utterly lost in the thoughtfully slow-paced arrangements isn’t a voluntary reaction Put that Xanax away – Van Etten’s soft falsetto and meditative melodies will calm both mind and soul. – On August 2, Sharon will be performing at a new venue/bar just next to Brooklyn Lyceum on 4th ave, called The Rock Shop. It’s a cool space, we recommend you check it out.