Hello!

I wanted to send a quick note to all my backers and tell you how incredibly AWESOME you are!!! I’ve been staying with my mom in Pittsboro, NC since the launch. Watching my unflappable mom get incredibly excited and personally invested in the campaign was magic for me.

My mom (wisely) forced me into piano lessons when I was 6, bought me Led Zeppelin records at 12, and defended my honor against the jerk-ass principle of Churchill High School (even though I was clearly a restive ne’er do well barreling down the wrong road).

So thanks for making me look good!!

Please share this campaign with anyone you think would be interested. We are doing this one on one, without a label or publicist. It feels SO different for me.
We are fast nailing down dates for the video shoot and the listening party. They’ll be some interesting (and weirdly interesting) new rewards introduced in the next week or so.

If we get to 60k, we’ll do a live stream from the control room of Tiny Telephone to give you a feel for the listening party. I think I’m going to buy some really good alcohol for that. (The listening party I mean, although I might also be drunk for the live streaming.) We’ll be playing Dagger Beach and Diamond Dogs directly from the 1/2″ tape.

Joe Williams and I are working on a new VINYL CASE for the collector who owns the back catalog. It will include DAGGER BEACH and DIAMOND DOGS on vinyl. We’re also brainstorming on super special items to throw into every package. I’ve decided against including tufts of Clover’s impossibly soft and cloud-like fur.

I’ve decided to print DIAMOND DOGS at 200g instead of 180g. There will be no other versions of the vinyl. It sounds too good to compromise. That shit is hella expensive but I clearly have the MOST AMAZING BACKERS IN THE WORLD. (You make me want to tour, you know I won’t be able to say no to that right?)
Remember you can always combine rewards or be as creative as you like. I’ve already set aside the entire month of April for organizing your goods.

I’ll send out a survey closer to delivery dates, then you can give me very detailed info about what you’d like me to write/sign, or any other additions and changes to your order. If you’ve customized your order or combined rewards, don’t be shy reminding me that! I might be a little overwhelmed by then:)
I’m going to do my best to make sure everything works well and that everyone is thrilled with their goods. I know I’m very happy right now. This experience has energized and INSPIRED me to make more music!!

Much love to you,
JV

Ps Here’s my mom!

My Kickstarter is ALIVE! My new album, Dagger Beach, comes out in early Summer on my own label, Tiny Telephone. I need your support to help with the enormous costs of self-releasing this record. This Kickstarter is both a fund raiser and a pre-order for the new record.

I am a little fearful of doing this on my own. The cost alone of printing vinyl is around 12k. Speaking of…

The Dagger Beach vinyl issue is a 200g pressing from QRP, the best vinyl plant in the country. It sounds HELLA GOOD. I’m really proud of this record, it’s dirtier and weirder than anything I’ve done since Cellar Door.

I’ve also made a full-length cover of Bowie’s amazing Diamond Dogs. A *very* limited run of 200g vinyl records will be available through Kickstarter as well. We’ve got two new t-shirts (including an updated version of the famous Library Card), digital downloads and tons more stuff.

Other rewards you may be interested in: LIMITED EDITION SCREEN PRINTS, I WILL MARRY YOU (to another person), HOUSE SHOWS, I WILL PRODUCE YOUR EP, LISTENING PARTY FOR DAGGER BEACH, TINY TELEPHONE / TAQUERIA TOUR in San Francisco, UNRELEASED RARITIES CD, and ohh so many more.

All artwork for the albums, screen prints, t-shirts and more by the great Joe Williams!!

My new record will be released in late spring, I’ll have tons more info rolling in a few weeks, including the launching of my Kickstarter this Tuesday, February 19. I’ll be releasing my cover of David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs on a limited run of 300 200g LPs as well. You can pre-order both on the KS, I think the Diamond Dogs will sell out pretty quickly.
Track listing and info is below. I CAN’T wait for you to hear it!!!!!!

Dagger Beach Track Listing 
1. Raw Wood
2. Harlequin Press
3. Song For Dana Lok
4. How The West Was Won
5. Interlude #1
6. Song For David Berman

Side 2 
7. Damage Control
8. Song For The Landlords Of Tiny Telephone
9. Gaslight
10. Sleep It Off
11. Sonogram
12. North Coast Rep
13. Interlude #2

Artwork by Joe Williams

Dagger Beach was recorded by Ian Pellicci and JV
at Tiny Telephone A & B
Mixed by Ian Pellicci at Tiny Telephone
Assisted by Shawn Alpay and Kelley Coyne
Mastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service

Produced by Ian Iellicci and JV
Thanks to James Riotto for editorial insight

All songs JV, except
“Song for the Landlords of Tiny Telephone” written by Shawn Alpay
and “Interlude 2” by Rob Shelton

Everyone is invited to this celebration of Tiny Telephone’s 15th year. I’ll be your host, and every engineer and friend of the studio will be present and accounted for. Also we’ll be serving some delicious drinks and playing good music. Please come!!