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 2010 but it’s been closed for a while now.  I may open it up again sometime in the future but I’m not certain.  Your best bet is to join my email list at valemmich.com/signup and just keep your eyes open for news about it.  Unfortunately, I don’t write songs for people other than for that purpose.  Songs are really personal for me and they don’t just get written every day.  A lot goes into them and I have to reserve them for special moments.  Hope you understand.  Also, there’s usually some trade involved.  For example, you give me an arm, and I give you back a leg.  It’s only fair.

Anonymous asked: Is there a way to purchase tickets for your Nov. 12th show at Buddies Tavern in advance?

VE: No, there are no advance tickets.  The event is to raise money for the Spondylitis Association of America.  My friend’s wife suffers from the disease and each year he has an event to try and help.  Hope some of you can make it.  Be aware that each performer’s set is short.  Just the nature of the event.  Show up by 9pm to catch me.  This is a solo acoustic set.

Anonymous asked: Hey, Val. I’m trying to frame everything you sent me in the post to put up on my wall. I’ve got the sizes in inches for most of the pictures. What size are the press photos?

VE: I would guess they are a standard 8x10, though I don’t know offhand.  I’d like to see this wall when it’s finished.  Send us a photo.

Anonymous asked: Who is the female vocalist on Convince Me?

VE: Her name is Allie Moss.  Check out her stuff at alliemoss.com.

Anonymous asked: I was very excited to see in the previous q & a that you would consider putting out another Songs album. Songs From Woodstock is definitely one of my favorite albums and I would love to see another one. My question is do you feel that the internet has freed you up to do more of what you want with music rather than just what a record label makes you do? I loved that we were able to donate to Kickstarter so you were able to make an album you knew your fans would love. Or is it more stressful? Susan

VE: The part of your post that I gravitate towards is not either of the questions but the remark about making an album I “knew my fans would love.”  In fact, I was somewhat worried that it would be a disappointment.  Not because I didn’t think it wasn’t strong or I wasn’t super proud of it but because I knew it was a departure from my other work.  I was—and still am—so passionate about the album that I was ready to face any backlash.  That didn’t quite happen but I can sense from various emails and posts that the album was a grower.  That it took some time to seep in for many of you and that’s perfectly fine for me. 
    Now, your questions.  The internet makes many things easier.  For example, I can record a new song and release it a minute later if I wanted to, instead of having to go through the whole political infrastructure.  I love the freedom.  And yet that freedom has its downside.  Ropes can be used to hold someone down and conversely to lift them up or catch them when they fall.  I have no ropes tied to me, and though I hated them at the time, I now see their value and sometimes miss them.  For example, it was my record label that secured me opening slots for so many bands in 2004-05 and that lead so many of you to me.  Ever since, it’s been near impossible to get those same slots.  Suddenly that political infrastructure seems like a necessary evil instead of just plain-old evil.  And yet, the grass is always greener when…
    About the stress, I think that’s something that each person brings to the situation.  Situations aren’t stressful, people are.  I bring the stress wherever I go.  I’m working on that.
    I just had an idea.  How about I take a poll to see what you guys would most want to see me do next.  I’ve been wondering myself and maybe it would be worth hearing your opinion.  The options might surprise you.  All of them involve full clothing and only one involves music.