Listen to Sharon Van Etten’s new song honouring victims of Orlando shooting

Proceeds from 'Not Myself' will go to a gun safety support fund

Sharon Van Etten has released a new song titled ‘Not Myself’. It is dedicated to the victims of the Orlando shooting, with proceeds going to the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund.

Omar Mateen killed 50 people and wounded 53 more when he opened fire at Orlando gay nightclub Pulse in the early hours of June 12. He was shot dead by police.

Speaking of the initiative behind the song, Etten wrote in a statement: “I originally wanted to raise money for the victims and their families, but I knew the issue was bigger than this.”

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You can read Sharon Van Etten’s full statment via Pitchfork below:

I was home with my parents in New Jersey when I heard of the shooting at the nightclub in Florida. Hate, violence, and intolerance has always upset me, but I haven’t been this overwhelmed with sadness and disbelief in a long time. The victims were only trying to be themselves and be comfortable and safe in their surroundings. That safety was violated out of fear and with a gun.

I originally wanted to raise money for the victims and their families, but I knew the issue was bigger than this. I wrote “Not Myself” for the victims of this horrific event, but I chose to support the research and awareness work of Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund: a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities.

In the memory of those trying to be safe and be themselves, I hope we can all come together to help prevent another massacre like this and end gun violence.

Sincerely,

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Sharon Van Etten

Other artists have also paid tribute to the victims in recent months, with Frank Ocean and Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste writing personal statements on the tragedy.

Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, and more also recorded a song called ‘Hands’ to honour their memory. The song was written by Justin Tranter (co-writer of Justin Bieber’s ‘Sorry’), Julia Michaels and Bloodpop and co-produced by Mark Ronson. It also featured Gwen Stefani, Jason Derulo , Halsey, Ty Herndon, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, Adam Lambert, The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, MNEK, Alex Newell, Mary Lambert, Prince Royce, Jussie Smollett, Nate Ruess and RuPaul.

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