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? (mine’s this is where i leave you by jonathan tropper)
bo.

VE: Thanks very much.  I have Tropper’s book on my To-Read list.  I just finished Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Schteyngart.  The title is apt.  But part of what makes it so sad isn’t the love aspect but the dire vision of a near-future America.  It’s a satire but like so many satires it’s not so far from the truth and that makes it scary indeed.  It’s also a very funny novel.  I’m currently finishing up To Kill A Mockingbird, something I read many years ago in school but wanted to revisit. 

Anonymous asked: how much do I have to pledge for you to not send me a cd or anything like that, but a dick pic instead? ;) $1? $10? $100+?

VE: Hmm, a lot.  At least a few grand I would think.  But while I’ll gladly accept your money, you will have no assurance that it is indeed my unit.  I suppose what one doesn’t know doesn’t hurt her (or him).

weberforever asked: What is your opinion of musicals? Would you be open to someone creating a musical from your works, in a similar fashion to Mamma Mia and ABBA?  Also: How many of your works are currently on vinyl?

VE: I have never seen a musical I really enjoyed.  Except for South Park The Musical!  Though I would be quite flattered and intrigued by a musical created from my works.  There only exists one single vinyl record featuring my music.  It was a gift from a friend years ago.  It’s a copy of the first version of Slow Down Kid and it’s packaged in a plain white sleeve with no artwork.  That friend spent quite a pretty penny on it. 

Anonymous asked: Hey Val I need some advice. I badly want to do music for a living, like really badly. And at any level, it doesn’t matter to me. A lot of people seem to think I should and I think I’m good enough. But I’m just kind of scared, I don’t really know where to start. I’m about to start my second year of college right now but I just don’t feel motivated….I know I really want to do music for a living. So my question is, where do I start? How do I get heard, and where should I try to go with it?

VE: I get this question a lot (last night in fact) and I never have a good answer.  I don’t think anyone has a good answer.  Unfortunately, it’s a pretty bad time to get into the so-called business.  But that’s not to say that there aren’t opportunities for a music career, only that the old model is no longer applicable.  What that means for you is that my answer will be very vague and all over the place.  But I know one thing…it’s all about the music.  If you remember that, then you’ll do okay.  I’m assuming you’re a singer/songwriter based on what little I got from your post.  If that’s true, you want to focus on the songs and the presentation of those songs (whether live or in recorded form).  That’s your business card.  That’s everything.  What are you creating.  If it’s honest and presented with passion than certain people will gravitate to it.  Play your songs for friends, and then play for their friends, and then their friends.  Parties, basements, whatever.  Record videos of you playing songs and post them on YouTube.  Post your songs on Facebook.  Go to shows and make friends with other local bands.  Send your demo to clubs and make friends with them.  Play as much as you can.  Reach out to people, like you’ve done to me.  Ask for help, for guidance, for constructive criticism and try to listen to it and take from it what you need.  I wanted to drop out of college to pursue music but I’m glad I didn’t, personally.  I wouldn’t have known where to start.  Finishing college enabled me to grow even hungrier and to hone my craft.  The more you write and play, the more you’ll find your sound and your “sound” is what will separate you from everyone else.  Does this answer frustrate you?  It seems like it takes too long, right?  I can relate.  Forgive the quote, but they wouldn’t be dreams if they were easy to achieve. 

kenjansson asked: hey. listening to “e.s.t.” right now and am kinda impressed! i just came across your music tonight and must say i like it a lot. i’m a photographer/graphic designer, let me know if you need any help!
best, ken

VE: Thanks Ken.  I’m curious how you came upon “E.S.T.”  If you happen to see this, write me below.  I’m always interested in how anybody finds anything in this overcrowded marketplace.

adammatthew asked: Hey! I was just looking through my dashboard and I came across a picture of a venue that I saw you play at like 7 years ago or so, at Lestats in San Diego. I saw the Thrice/Get Up Kids/Someone-else-I-can’t-remember show at Cox Arena I think it was and you opened, and my sister and I were really impressed with your music and we talked to you after the show and you told us about another show you were playing a few days later at Lestats, where Arman Augusto opened for you. Do you remember those shows by any chance? Anyway, long story short I rediscovered your music tonight and have been playing “Medical Display,” Shock,” and “Privacy Attracts A Crowd” all night. Glad to see you’re still making music. I’ll check out what I missed! Take it easy!

VE: Thanks man!  Glad you rediscovered me.  I remember that show.  In fact, I have a recording from that show.  Perhaps I’ll upload it somewhere so you can hear.  For sure, take a listen to some things you missed.

michaelhbf asked: What do you think about this? Dallas is a writer/artist who does children’s books and stuff, and did a piece about ripping off songs from the internet (torrents etc).. I know where you stand (the whole genital threats from the podcasts haha)… http://dallasclayton.com/post/4368218380/torrent-im-sorry-that-i-stole-your-album-it

VE: Seems like a talented guy.  I dig him.  I have ambivalent feelings about buying/stealing music and I think most people do.  Dallas clearly does.  I wonder how he would feel if someone stole his book.  I imagine he’d feel similar to how I feel…he’s happy someone likes his work enough to steal it and is happy his fanbase is growing and yet if everyone stole his book than he wouldn’t be able to feed that kid of his and he wouldn’t have enough free time to write another book because he’d be too busy trying to survive.  I don’t mean to presume I know what he actually feels.  I’m simply projecting, for this is how me and my artist friends feel.  I don’t know the answer.  I’ve been trying to offer more than music to my fans (Extras, Kickstarter) so that even if the music is taken without paying, at least there are other things that I offer that are more personalized that can’t be stolen.  To be continued.

Anonymous asked: Hey there Val, It’s been quite some time since I posted a question/comment on here. I’ve finally found some time as the school year dwindles down (although I do have some tests to grade… but as you can see I am procrastinating!). I’ve been catching up on your old posts and really enjoyed reading Aimee’s story. Her story inspired me to make a confession to you. I too have an “encounter story“ with you that I’ve always wanted to share but was apprehensive to do so. So here it goes. When I first discovered your music a few years back I had read in an interview that you were currently living in the city I grew up and still live in. I thought “Cool, I wondered if we had ever crossed paths around town?” Well one morning we did. On a whim I decided to take an early morning (okay, not so early, I think it was 9am) bike ride. As I was going up a certain street you appeared out of your house. Let’s just say I almost fell off my bike! After riding past, I debated whether I should turn around and say hi and tell you that I was a fan of yours. I decided not to for a few reasons. Regardless of my lack of courage, seeing your presence in my city really made my day. I still ride my bike past your place every once in awhile (it’s the safest route for where I am going) and I haven’t seen you outside since. Assuming that you may still live there, I have decided that if a chance encounter like this ever does happen again, maybe I will muster up the courage to say hello. Only if that’s okay with you. Oh and by the way, kudos on all the progress you’ve been making on Kickstarter. I am looking forward to what you have in store for all of us. With much appreciation, Christina

VE: Thanks Christina.  If the city you are referring to is Jersey City, yes I’m still in town.  Howdy neighbor.  Perhaps I will now have to think twice before leaving the house in the morning for Missy’s first walk because I often look like walking Death.  A cross between a hobo and a greasy zombie.  Nevertheless, I would never deny a nice hello, rest assured.  If we do cross paths again, don’t hesitate.  And thank you for respecting my privacy.  And thank you as well for your Kickstarter support.  See you around (for once that’s not just a cliche).

am13er asked: I just wanted to give props to the Aimee girl that posted on your last q&a post about her whole story of becoming your fan. I too believe I have a ‘fate’-like story of how I became your fan and have also been chickening out for years with telling you about it. I’m still chickening out right now with telling it to you, but hopefully it will be told sooner, rather then later.  But on to the random question of this whole post: I saw in one of your videos that some of your favorite food is mexican food, so my question is do you like Tex-Mex style or authentic mexican food?

VE: More Aimee love.  Looks like she inspired others, started a little snowball.  I typically don’t love Tex-Mex.  I love authentic Mexican, although I have no idea what that means.  I suppose it’s the type of place that doesn’t have English on the menu.  That works for me.  Then again, I’m a sucker for a chain like Chipotle too.