Q&A: Me Shirtless!!!, Society of Artists & New Music (Maybe)
Anonymous asked you: It would be a huge loss to many of us if you stopped writing. I don’t care what Richard Ford says. Don’t lose hope. I’ll always be here to listen to your art. I know I’m not alone in that either.
VE: Thank you very much. (By the way, this person is referring to this quote I posted.) But I wasn’t fishing for a compliment. I would like to think that it’s somewhat normal for a person to ask him or herself from time to time: Does my life have meaning? Am I making a difference? Do I even count? It’s a scary thought, I know, and I don’t blame you if you do your best to ignore it. So many of us must do what we have to, not what we want to, and we don’t wish to torture ourselves with dreams of impossible alternatives. I try to push away the thought but it always builds in me anew. Art is so strange. By nature, it’s self-absorbed. The best art comes from a deeply personal place and that process of introspection seems self-indulgent. Maybe that was okay when artists were a small sect of society. But now, through the equalizing powers of technology, the larger population has adopted that mindset. We’re all artists now and suddenly it feels irresponsible to partake. I’m still sorting this whole thing out so forgive me if I sound confused. Mostly, I am.
Anonymous asked you: As a long time fan, I have to ask the dreaded question. What is Val’s plan for the future musically? Aide Memoire examined the past, Bulldozzzer appeared to allude to an end, then Posthaste came out as an overview of your career. Do you expect to continue to play with different sounds/genres and continue to release music or is it taking the backseat at the moment! I know Bulldozzzer wasn’t planned, so maybe I should just wait and see?
VE: First off, I love that you used the proper number of z’s both times (count ‘em 3). That shit makes my day. Next, Val doesn’t have a musical plan. Yes, I will continue to play with different styles. I’m always trying to grow (i.e. getting bored). I’ve recorded a half-dozen new songs in a somewhat new style (new for me). I’m not sure what will come of these new songs. I’m brainstorming. I don’t wish to just release them into the ether with little care. I’m trying to fit them into some grander purpose and I’m thinking that if I can’t discover that grander purpose than it’s not worth putting it out there. Does all this sound vague? Yes, it’s pretty gray in my mind too. But getting clearer every day. Stay tuned. And thank you for making me feel like there’s some slight anticipation out there for what might come next.
Anonymous asked you: There has been a question I’ve been wanting to ask you for some time now. Everytime I google “Val Emmich” the suggestion bar says “Val Emmich Shirtless”. How does that make you feel? Is it funny or something else?
VE: Something else. I have no idea how it makes me feel. All kinds of things. Mostly, I feel alone and disconnected. Really, this might seem strange but my overwhelming thought is that all of us are separated and isolated and staring at screens instead of looking into each other’s eyes. That’s fucked. As amazing and powerful as the Internet is, it only reminds me that there’s so much of the world and life that I’ll never experience. I suppose it’s always been this way. With the invention of the printed word, people could read a novel, for example, and get a secondhand experience of an unfamiliar way of life. But now on the web we can see it so vividly, watch videos, hear sounds, converse with other people, and yet we can’t touch human to human. We see the hi-res photo of a beach in Fiji but can’t feel the sand between our toes. To me, when Google finishes my sentence in the search bar, I feel crushed. So many of us can share a thought, a question, a dream and yet we’ll never meet. Man, I’m a downer. You don’t want to live with me.
Back to me shirtless. Wow, if you could only see it. It’s fucking beautiful. I’m a specimen. God-like, really, if you’ll allow me to get spiritual. When I stand by the window shirtless, I’ll sometimes see a passing bird lose its bearings and drop from the sky. That’s why I’m careful to stay robed. I’m an animal lover. On Google, I’ve also seen Val Emmich gay, wife, married, and super cool motherfucking genius. That last one only showed up in Google once and I may have had something to do with it. If anyone wants to see me shirtless, I’ll happily meet you at a predetermined location provided you come shirtless too, and there are no animals present.
***Above photo is only a preview. Note that my hair will be better & my bottoms on. I may, however, have a stick up my ass.
Anonymous asked you: Would you consider doing an acoustic take of ‘I Just Lost My Father’ to upload to YouTube? The song haunts me and sends shivers down my spine. It’s just so beautiful. I felt similar when I watched your acoustic take of ‘B&W Photographs’, so this’d be unreal. Thanks for your consideration! :-)
VE: I’m flattered to read this. Thank you. If I have some extra time, I’ll try to record something this week. Not making a promise. I haven’t played the song in over 5 years and if I find it too difficult to relearn, I might get cranky and bag the whole thing. Or I might relearn it just fine but not like the way I’m looking on camera. Or I’ll get 75% through a take of the song and then mess up a lyric and be too frustrated to start from 0% again and quit. Or my phone will tell me I don’t have enough space to record video and I’ll curse at it and drop the idea altogether. So many pitfalls. But I’ll try.
Val’s answer to the ‘shirtless’ question had me rolling on the floor laughing :)
My dad, his dad.
An acoustic rendition of the song “B&W Photographs,” which is featured on the digital box set, POSTHASTE (2001-2012). Grab the song for $1 or purchase the whole 50-song collection at valemmich.bandcamp.com.
11 Years of Music! That’s right kids, 11 fucking years of music coming from the genius known, as Val Emmich! And how do you mark the occasion? Well, if you’re Val, you release a 50 song box set chock full of unreleased material!
Yeah, so you know those albums you’ve been listening to all these years? That ain’t all of it! Included in this box set, we’re getting the chance to hear unreleased demos, songs from Val’s missing album, covers, along with many other rarities from the first 11 years!
You’ve got a couple options though on how you can listen to Posthaste:
- Free - stream the music from bandcamp and enjoy all 50 songs!
- $1 A Song - have a few favorites after streaming Posthaste? Pick out the songs you want and get them for just $1! Load up your iPod or Walkman or whatever you use to make your music portable, you’ve got your favorite right there to listen while you mow the lawn or shovel snow or pick your noise while you tweet from the toilet. Don’t worry, we’re not judging you for it.
- $25 For 50 Songs And Then Some - need all 50 songs with you, wherever you go? Just need all 50 songs? BUY THE WHOLE BOX SET! $25 and you get all 50 songs along with 10 bonus tracks! 60! 60 FUCKING SONGS! I’m not the Count, but that sounds like the best deal kids.
In the words of Ron Swanson, “never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing.” When it comes to Posthaste, there is now half assing anything! Val whole assed this release by not just releasing 50 60 songs! The man also created a fucking book too! Yeah, in case you didn’t know, Val is multi-talented. And if you want to hear about this 11 year history you can pick up Posthaste: The Book, along with all the tunes, for $45!
Remember that missing album I mentioned earlier? Yeah, it’s talked about in the book. Ever wonder why there are two versions of Slow Down Kid? That’s in the book too. Who the fuck is “boss lady” and why are you supposed to feel the need to punch her in her over-privileged face? OH! It’s in the book!
You won’t be disappointed in picking this box set up kids and if you can’t afford it, make sure to include it on your list of holiday wants from your family and friends. Trust this fan when I say, the book and music is SO worth it.
Does Val have new music out? DAMN STRAIGHT HE DOES!
Yes kids, it’s true, the man is releasing some new music today and you should get it! if you’re asking yourself why, here are a few reasons:
- IT’S NEW VAL EMMICH MUSIC, DUH!
- You can download it immediately, so you won’t have to wait till the CD is shipped. BOOM! Click download and listen.
- Priceline has it and now Val has it! Name your own price! $5, $10, $43, basically you pay whatever you liiike.
- Even if you don’t have the money to buy the album right now, you can still download it for free!
- Wait, do my ears deceive me? Did that just say free?!
- Yup! FREE!
- And to bring this back home, IT’S NEW VAL MUSIC!
Don’t him-haw around, unless you have to wait till payday, then hold off buying it till then, but don’t wait to listen! Seriously, make sure you check out Val’s bandcamp because you still stream the album till you’re able to download it.
PHILADELPHIA!!!! »
Val Emmich is playing at MilkBoy tonight at 8pm.
You should goooooo & hear songs from his new album Bulldozzzer out 8/28/12 :-D
valemmich:
People ask me about t-shirts. I’m too shy to put my name on one so instead I’m using my intials.
Currently selling 5 designs:
- Vaguely Entertained
- Very Edible
- Vigilante Elephant
- Volcano Expert
- Vastly Exaggerated
Available in different colors, sizes, styles. Men, Women, Kids, Babies.
When you wear a VE tee you are possibly:
- Having harmless fun with words
- Describing your current mood
- Promoting my music/art/brand in a subtle & subversive way
- Opening yourself up to q’s (Are you really a Volcano Expert?)
- Confusing friends & foes
- Very Fashionable
Check out the full selection at valemmich.spreadshirt.com
Want a specific design in a different color or t-shirt style? Have your own idea for a VE design? No problem. Contact me here or send me an email at ve.newsletter@gmail.com.
Free Show this Thurs Night 7/26 in NYC
Tri-staters. Come out for a free slathering of acoustic music drawn from my personal brain and innards. You may/may not have fun. But fun is overrated. It’s just about feeling anything other than numb.
THURS JULY 26
- Rockwood Music Hall -
196 Allen Street
New York, NY
rockwoodmusichall.com
Solo Acoustic
8PM Sharp | Ages 21+
FREE SHOW TONIGHT! Those who are in the New York area tonight should check this one out! You won’t be disappointed!
Web Concert from 10/08/11
I did a lengthy web concert for Kickstarter supporters last fall. I figure enough time has passed to release it to the general public.
Sorry for the ads (not in my control) & the dead space at the beginning of Part 1 (in my control). The show officially begins at the 9-minute mark.
Things get progressively weirder, drunker & ‘darker’ as the night grows longer. Sorry or your welcome, depending on your taste.
Part 1
1 Experts (9:15)
Disclaimers (13:20)
2 A Voice (14:20)
3 Break (18:00)
4 Careful (21:45)
5 Pretend I’m Worth Your Time (25:15)
6 Wake Up Brand New (29:10)
7 Expecting (33:00)
8 Too Far (38:45)
9 Grown Up Man (42:15)
10 Softee (46:45)
11 Hurt More Later (50:30)Part 2
Show & Tell (00:40)
12 We Were So Close (To Being Close) (2:25)
13 I Like The Way You Sound (6:15)
14 Please Don’t Accept My Apology (12:40)
15 E.S.T (16:00)
16 Slow Down Kid (20:20)
17 Cover Up (24:15)
18 A Punch (28:30)
19 Separate Things (33:05)
20 The Only One Lonely (37:40)
21 First Try (43:10)
22 Absolutely Still (47:30)
23 At The Risk Of Sounding (53:25)
24 Down (57:20)
25 High Noon (1:01:30)
Goodbye & Thank You (1:06:00)
