The rock powerhouses on their fast friendship,firstsong as a duo, and future.
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She very generously said yes and sent me something amazing back.
Angel Olsen:I was stoked about it.
I can already tell.
Even if its unfinished right now, I know that this is huge.
Its such an honor to be a part of something that she was writing.
Also, Ive never really done that before.
But I think its good to let go of that at times and just be stronger with someone else.
I definitely was craving connection.
This time has been a really interesting pause.
But, I think it could be about a lot of things for people.
When I first heard it, the song was mostly done.
I just added a few lines.
Ive heard Sharons music before, but this was standing out in a different way.
SVE:Literally, I had this narrative and Ive confessed it to Angel.
And I went back in my emails and I was like,Oh, I actually never said that.
Thats what I wanted.
Angel is the only person I wanted to be a part of it.
AO:Thats so silly, because its a great song!
What are some of the lines that you added, Angel?AO:I cant even remember now.
SVE:I think it was dancing all alone and lighting one up.
I actually have them all highlighted.
AO:I think, taking whats mine, but I dont remember.
SVE:Giving it up like I used to.
SVE:Its funny.
I feel that part of it, beyond the pandemic.
Then I just always heard them in passing.
It was a really fun night.
SVE:Its very similar for me.
I was just tearing up like, Are you kidding me?
This is the most beautiful music Ive ever heard.
That was in 2011, I think.
I was shocked at how quickly she got back to me with her vocals.
It made the song even better.
Ill email it then just put my blinders on.
Can you sing in falsetto?
Can you do this?
Im like, Im down.
Ive done a lot of collaborations where I just sing backup and its really fun.
It was cool to be able to do both in this project.
Thank you, Sharon, for opening your door to that.
I know its hard because you just never know how youre going to feel or whats going to happen.
SVE:I definitely havent just given [someone] an unfinished song and been like, Here.
What do you think?
Its part of our life now.
Its how Ive dealt with a lot of things.
Its not just about making a living and being a star anymore.
Ive gotten past that aspiration.
But, for right now, Im realizing,Oh, Sharons a legendary writer.
Youre going to write forever, whether or not youre playing music live.
I can just tell.
I feel like Ill write forever, even if Im not successful anymore.
I think that I recognize that in you and I dont recognize that in everyone.
Well, I feel the same way about you.
Ive had great collaborations that way, but this has been the most natural.
I feel like were still getting to know each other and its blossomed in this beautiful way.
Weve been on a parallel path or the same path, different highways.
We keep intersecting, and I feel like the universe is winking at us, saying,Keep going.
I love singing with Heather McEntire, who used to sing with me for theMy Womanrecord.
She just is a wailer.
Just go for it.
This is my part.
She really brings it and it always works well.
SVE:Shes super sweet.
North Carolina, represent!
Shes a hell of a multi-instrumentalist and can hang with everyone.
Shes one of the best hangs.
AO:Its hard to hang sometimes.
Its not for everybody.
Honestly, I dont love being gone as much as I have been, so I get it.
We might go on tour together.
SVE:Well, thatd be fun.
Maybe were opening a restaurant.
AO:Maybe were selling flowers, were selling sandwiches, were making coffee, weve got natural wines!
SVE:Well leave the restaurant to our partners, and then well go on tour.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
