February 2012
4 posts
Q&A: Hypertheticals, Oscars & My Emotional...
howboutno asked: Who have you run into or met in the past that you have been completly star struck to have met? And, let’s say tomorrow, if you were to run into the one person who you have yet to meet and would have you stumbling over your words in their presence, who would it be? VE: I can’t remember most of them, honestly. I just had lunch in L.A. this past Wednesday and J.K....
howboutno asked: If you had an evil twin (assuming you don't have one already) or there happened to be a mirror universe (nerding out on this one) and we met your evil doppleganger, how would we be able to tell the two of you a part and what sort of devious characteristics would they have, that you don't?
howboutno asked: Jack White played Elvis, Dennis Quaid played Jerry Lee Lewis, Gary Oldman played Sid Vicious, and I one time read an article somewhere saying if you had way longer hair you could play a young Ozzy, so I’m wondering if you could portray any musician in a movie, despite reservations, who would you enjoy playing?
Q&A: Plans for '12, Background Music & What...
abandoncontrol asked: Hi there. I just thought I’d stop by and say that I love your music :)) Oh and by the way, I’m from Bulgaria so uhh yeah, your music is travelling around the world. Anyway, that was really random. Okay, you’re lovely, thanks, bye VE: You’re lovely for taking a moment to write me a note. It’s nice to hear. I’m surprised and pleased to hear...
January 2012
2 posts
Best of 2012 (January 1 thru 10)
My memory is shot. I’ve told you many times, even based an album on it. I typically do a year end Best-Of list like everyone else in the universe, but not this year. I can’t remember anything from last year unless I go back through my calendar and shut my eyes and concentrate. And that’s a dangerous journey because I might recall something that’s better left forgotten. ...
December 2011
4 posts
Great Show Review In Star-Ledger From The Good Old... →
saukdee-deactivated20120108-dea asked: Hahaha, you're funny. But that's not true. I was actually talking about the cover/ front page before actually entering the site itself. I actually mistaken it as a complete change and look to your site. Once I clicked on it, I realized that the site hadn't change. So there... Val, you and the Veeries are a great pair. Best regards... Money.
Q&A: Road Music, Profanity & My Beat-Up Vest
howboutno asked: Yeah! You’re going on tour! As you gear up for hitting the road, what would be your mix you’d put together to keep your spirits high on those long drives?
VE: I restocked my iPhone for the trip. Some noteworthy additions:
So Jealous, Tegan and Sara - Great driving record that I forgot about
Tiny Cities, Sun Kil Moon - one of my favorite singers, Mark Kozelek,...
Back on the Road...Finally
It took a few years, but it’s finally happening. Many of you have asked when you can see me perform live. Well, for those in the Northeast, now’s your chance. We’re grateful to Good Old War, a kickass band, for agreeing to take us out with them. We look forward to playing for you.
*05 Dec - Vienna, VA - Jammin Java - TICKETS 08 Dec - Hamden, CT - The Space - TICKETS 09 Dec...
November 2011
5 posts
Call to Arms, Phase 2
Let me start by first apologizing for my lazy use of that overused and insensitive warring phrase. I used it because a) I couldn’t think of anything better because b) I wanted to act fast while my impulse was strong and demanding.
So many of you have already done so much for me. My new record was only possible through the generosity of the people who donated to my Kickstarter project. ...
Q&A: Song Shop Looting, Benefit for Spondylitis &...
Anonymous asked: Val, I’m a fan of yours since I was 14, now I’m in college and my 18 birthday is in two weeks and i only want one thing for my birthday that i’ve wanted for the longest time—-a song about me. Can you do that for me? :) -Sincerly, Karina, a fan. VE: Thanks for getting in touch Katrina. I did have a Song Shop (valemmich.com/songshop) open for a while back in...
October 2011
4 posts
Anonymous asked: hey val. should i be worried if my kickstarter package hasn't arrived yet? i dl'd your album anyway..
Q&A: Car Crash, Auto-Tune, Drawing Emotion, Songs...
To all those who sent me well wishes via Twitter yesterday, thank you. I’m fine. Just need a new car now and I was three months away from paying it off. Red light, screaming baby, 360s, shattered window, tire tracks…but…luckily no one was hurt. Seconds earlier or later and…such a weird thought. Why? Why? Why? Those are my questions to no one. Now to your questions…...
Q&A: The New Book, Getting Kissed By Strangers &...
theneverendinglist asked you: Hey Val, Just wanted to tell you how much I have been enjoying your new album… Got to admit I didnt have as much time to listen to it when I first got it, but now that I’ve carved out sometime to listen I love it. “A Punch” really rocks and there is something soooo familiar about the intro, but I cant put my finger on it yet. (its bugging the...
September 2011
2 posts
Q&A: The Danger of Going Internet-less & The...
Anonymous asked: I hate being without internet because I always miss out on big news and stuff. Being internet-less for a month, I was unaware that you had just released a new album. If I knew, I would have totally done anything to get it as soon as possible. Can’t wait till it is fully released and if it is anything like your previous albums, it will be amazing and pure orgasm on the ears....
Q&A with myself & a few anonymous beings about...
No one has ever asked me this question but with a new record just released (or about to be released if you didn’t contribute via Kickstarter) I was recently thinking about it. And so I pose the following question to myself. Q: Hey Val, are there any songs you’ve written that you thought would be more popular amongst your fans but for whatever reason, weren’t? Like, you thought...
August 2011
4 posts
People Watching
Know what gets me sad? I can’t help it. When I see a person who is doing what he or she loves—completely oblivious to any outside viewer and utterly happy—but who receives no attention for this act. No reciprocation. Why should this upset me? This person looks happy and they are unaware that nobody appreciates them, at least outwardly. Who cares that they don’t get...
howboutno asked: I thought of another question (my mind wanders when I'm bored at work) - what is a typical day for you before you have a show that night? Any rituals or do's and dont's?
Anonymous asked: Will you be HEADLINING any shows in the NY/NJ area this summer?
Anonymous asked: Is that you on the Kindle TV commercial?? The actor kind of looks like you...
July 2011
2 posts
Q&A: Google Guitar, The Missing Music Video &...
ouchouch asked: The song you played on Google’s guitar (when I dared you) doesn’t sound familiar. Is that a new song that will be on the next album or was it born that very moment or you had a song lying around and figured it was perfect to play on Google’s guitar? There’s a second part to this question but I’ll wait until you answer this one. - Mary VE: It was born...
Anonymous asked: When are you sending out the backers survey from Kickstarter?
June 2011
5 posts
Anonymous asked: I have a quick question about the new album. I'm a poor college student and I don't think I'll be able to donate any money by the July 1st deadline. Is it possible to still buy it after that point? Love your music!!
-Kate
-Kate
Q&A: Aimee's Snowball, Musicals, and My Dick
axbo asked: val, i discovered you through ugly betty years ago. at the time i bought your album and have just rediscovered your album ‘little daggers’ on my book case. listening to it was a joy, i forgot how beautiful the lyrics were, and how many of them i remember! i know this is meant to be a question so alongside this i will ask you whats the last book you read and would recommend?...
Q&A: Disorganized Notebooks, High School Val & the...
Before I answer your questions, I have a message to pass along for Aimee, the one who wrote the post about me and the red shirt. valemmichfans asked: Looking for Aimee, the one who didn’t give up on “the guy with the red shirt”. I didn’t know how else to contact you so I have to use Val. Aimee, if you’re reading this, I have something to give to you. Please contact me...
Google’s home page featured a playable...
WatchI’ve done it! I’ve jumped headfirst into the world of crowd-funding. Never heard of it? Here’s how it works.
Make a donation to help fund my new album and I’ll send you wicked rewards in return. (yes, I said wicked. why not?)
Basically instead of buying my album later, you’d be buying the album before it’s made.
THE GOAL |||
If I can reach the...
May 2011
11 posts
“Let them think what they liked, but I didn’t mean to drown myself. I meant...”
– Joseph Conrad, The Secret Sharer
Q&A: Mixtapes, Celebrities, Bruuuuce, & A Red...
Anonymous asked: Make a mixtape of your songs to send to a record label, what 5 songs would you choose, any reason? VE: Record labels are usually, with few exceptions, interested firstly in commerciality so this mixtape wouldn’t necessarily include either my favorite songs or even the five songs that I think most represent me. With that said, I don’t really have a good sense of what...
Check me out in the debut episode of Matt Schuman’s new series “Conversations Between Two People Who Have Known Each Other For A Long Time. “
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/2d50f5ac0e/conversation-1-nouns-verbs
Q&A: My Monkey, My Podcast & My Apparent Obsession...
Greetings from Bovec, Slovenia! I’m currently sitting and typing from a desk chair placed in the bathroom where the wireless connection is strongest. In an hour I will be hurled several feet into the air via a wire and then sent crashing into a truck. Pay special attention to the question regarding flying. The timing is uncanny.
Anonymous asked: Do you play any other instruments besides...
My "Resume" Landed Me A Job
My song “Resume” (pronounced reh-zoom-ay!) will appear in MTV’s “Worst Prom Ever” tonight May 10 at 10pm.
http://www.mtv.com/videos/?id=1661230
WatchMy first Slovenian morning. Forgive my appearance. Long night last night. We ate dinner at a “restaurant” that resembled a barn, which despite its unassuming appearance was quite wonderful. The food was fresh from our immediate surroundings and so was the wine, which kept coming.
WatchHere’s Part 1 of last night’s live acoustic concert in case you missed it.
Free Live Web Concert Tonight
If you’re by a computer and you have a decent connection, you can watch my concert tonight live at 8:45pm E.S.T. from the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY via Livestream.
RSVP here.
April 2011
5 posts
A Quote and a Brief Q&A
“Real courage is…when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” — To Kill A Mockingbird
A basic truth that somehow gains mystic powers when uttered with that Southern tongue.
Not many questions recently. Perhaps I’ve answered everything.
freakinpickles asked: Hey dude. I just started watching Ugly...
Earth Day
The fact that we have to legally designate a special day to remind us of the most important thing in our lives—the very reason for our continued existence—saddens me. But so be it. Holidays help to remind us about important things. Whether it’s saying thanks, telling people we love them, remembering past innovators and contributors or reminding us that a well-timed prank makes...
Q&A: Fonts, Workaholic Americans & An Upcoming...
am13er asked: Dumb question here, because that’s all I’m capable of when it comes to asking you stuff, haha. Do you happen to know what the names are of the fonts you used for the writing of your name on all your albums? I’ve been meaning to ask for years now because me & my friends wanted to design our own shirts/hoodies to promote you but kept forgetting to. So...
Q&A: I Forgot That Honest Abe Got Shot Dead
saralupe asked: Hey, hello, it’s been awhile. I always hesitate on commenting on your tumblr posts or just popping up to say hey but I’m pretty sure we’re past that whole awkward phase so here I am, coffee in hand and ready to unleash my train of thought with you. I just wanted to say that you have to be one of the most inspirational people I know, as well as one of the most...
March 2011
10 posts
“I did not bring a television out here with me, and I regret it sometimes when...”
– Per Petterson, Out Stealing Horses