When I first started sketching out which songs to record for my Yanka cover album, I recorded a handful of demos, solo at my (former) home in North Carolina. I only gave these to a handful of people but many in the inner circle insist that certain songs in their solo, live version remain their favorites. When my label heard the demos, they suggested I just release them as an album without going into the studio with a full band!
SO, when I was on tour in Europe, the fabulous Troels Mads (who organized my tour in Denmark) and his very homegrown and lovely handmade label, inspired me to make a tiny run of the original demos.
I am going to create not more than 50 copies. Each will feature a small, original medium format photograph either taken in Russia or in Siberia (most were taken in Novosibirsk where Yanka was born and died). The package will include notes from my research on Yanka’s life.
There will be 4 new songs in addition to those versions included on the album. All of the songs were re-recorded (by me) in North Carolina (to improve upon the sound quality of the original demos).
I’ll be selling this little cd-r ablum on tour but if someone really wants one and can’t make it to a show, just drop me a note.
Whew! i figure that once I post this that I have to go make these things!

I will be touring the midwest and east coast from July 23rd - Aug. 10th. Check ’shows’ page or myspace for details! Also, I am happy to announce that ‘Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware’ will be released on vinyl in August by Topple Records. The album will feature original artwork by Vladimir Zimakov in a lavish, double gatefold format and will include an extra, exclusive track. The vinyl edition will be distributed by Junket Boy.

Some heartfelt, Europe tour thank yous: ***Michel Bergner ***, Stefano D’Agostino, the Mathias’s @ Laut.de, Traveling Music, Troels Mads, Vinciane Verguethen, Planet Claire and Marco in Rotterdam.

Previews for my April 4th, NYC show at Joe’s Pub in The New Yorker, critic’s pick of the week from New York Magazine, Time Out New York, and interviews in Metromix and New York Press. CMJ review of the show here.

Billboard Magazine just named selected me as one of their ‘12 Bands to See’ at SXSW 2008, along with Santogold and Bon Iver. Lots of live SXSW show reviews, including Boston Globe online and LiveDaily.com, in the ‘press’ section.

The wonderful Russian artist, Vladimir Zimakov, has created a special limited-edition artist’s print (linoleum cut and letterpressed) for my upcoming album/tour ’Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware.’ They are 11 x 14 inches, hand numbered, hand pressed, and beautiful. If you want one, shoot me an e-mail. They cost $10 + shipping. Or you can buy one at a show! Er, if I remember to bring them with me.

I will be opening for my favorite band in the world, the legendary Russian band Auktyon, at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia on Friday, March 21st.

The Raleigh News & Observer has included me in their annual ‘Great 8‘ music feature, alongside the Bowerbirds and other lovely NC bands. There’s an exclusive video, original portrait and short interview.

Some news for 2008: I will be bringing a full band to SXSW. A special preview show of my forthcoming album ‘Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware ‘ will be held on Friday, April 4th at Joe’s Pub. I will be touring mainland Europe for the latter half of April and most of May.

I’ll be going to Germany for the first time to play shows in Berlin, Leipzig, Siegen and Frankfurt in early-mid January 2008.

The release date for my next album, ‘Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware‘ is tentatively set for late Summer 2008.

I will be doing a little mini-tour in western Russia during the first week of November. Moscow @ Ikra 11/05, Arkhangelsk @ Koleco 11/07 and St. Petersburg @ Art Revolution Club 11/09

My debut album, Placelessness, will be released by 54º40′ or Fight! on September 18th, 2007. There has been some nice advance press from Venus, The New Yorker, Pitchfork Forkcast, Paper Thin Walls, Music for Robots, Said the Gramophone, among others.

I will be touring a large part of the US and Canada in August and September. See ‘shows’ section for tour dates.

My next album ‘Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware’ is already recorded. Sung in Russian, this is an album covering the music of Russian punk-folk legend Yanka Dyagileva. The album was, again, produced by Steve Revitte and will be released by 54º40′ or Fight! in Summer 2008.