Taking inspiration from French New Wave icon Agnès Varda, Sharon Van Etten and director Michael Palmieri share the music video for the first release of Are We There.

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat

Writing, producing, and performing, Sharon Van Etten immersed in her forthcoming album, Are We There, to capture the most personally painful narratives and a bond with listeners few contemporary musicians are able to match. After some hard work at at Hobo Sound Studios in Weehawken, New Jersey and at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, Sharon Van Etten released her new video for “Taking Chances,” the first single off Are We There, out May 27th on Jagjaguwar.

This video, confessed the director Michael Palmieri, was inspired by Agnès Varda, the iconic director of French New Wave. Says Michael, “When I first heard the song, the lyrics immediately made me think about the opening sequence to the great Agnes Varda film, Cleo from 5 to 7, one of my favorites.” Agnès Varda is also one of Sharon’s favorite directors. This triumph of coincidental mutual regard “made us all feel like the video had to be made,” according to Michael.

Last year, Sharon released a video of her first new material “Tarifa” since her 2012 album, Tramp. She was also featured in a cover of John Denver’s classic “Prisoners” with J Mascis.