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News From 1999
Dec 18, 1999
New Mailing List for Trading Recordings
In early November the band announced that it was OK to record their live shows with whatever equipment you could bring. This has spurred a lot of interest in live recordings of the band, and a new mailing list has cropped up for collectors. It's an unmoderated mailing list called tradevol at ONElist.
The original Vigilantes of Love mailing list will continue to host a variety of discussions about the band and related subjects, but requests and offers for live recordings will mostly happen at other lists and sites, such as tradevol. The VoL mailing list, by the way, will be moving in the near future to one of the newer email sites, such as ONElist or eGroups. We'll have more news on that soon.
Dec 14, 1999
VoL Activity in the UK
Last year's tour through the UK is still producing fruit. Not only did the band make lots of new friends there and dart into the studio to record 'Cross the Big Pond on a shoestring (or Free For Good as it's known there), but they've also been noticed by some important people. The January issue of Mojo Magazine mentions the band's recent work in the Americana column, and they mention that UK DJ Bob Harris has been singing the praises of the band on BBC Radio 2.
And Bob Harris is putting together a couple of compilation CDs, both of which include VoL songs. VoL is the only artist or group to be featured on both compilations—"Resplendent" is on the first disc, Bob Harris Presents... on Grapevine, and "To the Roof of the Sky" is on the second. The collections include such other artists as Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle/Del McCoury.
But wait, there's more. It looks like Audible Sigh will be released in the UK, thanks to Bob Harris, on his new Drystone label in March which coincides with the album's release in the US.
And don't forget that the band is in Nashville right now with Buddy Miller working on several new tunes for the official Audible Sigh release. Stay tuned!
Dec 9, 1999
VoL Recording Next Week
Next week, VoL will go into Buddy Miller's studio to record some of their latest stuff for the new Audible Sigh, with Buddy Miller and Bill Mallonee producing. In a note to the Vigilantes of Love mailing list, Bill said he feels that the new stuff may be stronger than the original tunes, and certainly some of the reviews of recent live shows seem to agree. The band is as excited and focused as ever, and ready for a March release to multiple markets. Watch for more news on where you can pick up the disc and make your purchase count.
In other news, you may have noticed that the band has recently been using the name "Bill Mallonee & the Vigilantes of Love" on tour posters, email, and in the title of this web site. You may want to read for yourself Bill's comments on the subtle change from the mailing list.
Nov 30, 1999
VoL May Record Songs with Buddy Miller
VoL has mentioned that any new releases of Audible Sigh that happen next year may include some of the newer songs that the band has been playing on the road recently. They are hoping to record these new songs in December with Buddy Miller again at the helm.
Nov 23, 1999
True Tunes Records to Release Audible Sigh
The Vigilantes will finally be releasing an official version of Audible Sigh next year, and they will probably do so through a couple of independent labels that reach different markets. One of those labels will be True Tunes Records, a label associated with Rhythm House and which licenses its name from True Tunes Online. This deal secures Diamante distribution into CCM stores. These official releases of Audible Sigh will likely differ from the prereleases that came out this summer in the wake of the original label's demise, though we're not yet sure how. Expect some new songs.
In other news, the band is doing a few shows now, billed as "Bill Mallonee & the Vigilantes of Love" and is cooking up still more shows for early next year, possibly including a college tour. People who've seen the November shows have commented on the unique sound and energy that the trio seems to have mustered, and Bill's new songs are supposed to be memorable. Stay tuned, and watch the concert page for details.
And finally, some of you may be interested to know that two music companies who have released VoL projects in the last year, PasteMusic, who funded and released the Live album, and WeatherVane Music who released a Christmas album with 2 VoL songs, one of them a new recording of "On to Bethlehem (My Heart's Electric)," have merged. See their web sites for details.
Nov 3, 1999
Record the Band Yourself
Well, VoL is headed out on the road again, and they're opting for a more stripped back sound, obviously in part because they'll be a 3-piece this time out, but also because they want to highlight some older material (Bill says they're probably going to play "Drunk on the Tears") and some new bare bones stuff that Bill has just written.
And there's more: Bill says on the vol-list that the band is inviting you to record any of the live shows with whatever equipment you want to bring: video cams, room mikes, analog/digital gear, boombox. They can't promise that they'll give you an off-the-board feed, and they have only these stipulations: the recordings are for private use, one copy for you and one for the band, and feel free trade with your friends. If you have questions, contact the band.
Nov 1, 1999
Band Loses Guitarist
Attendees at a recent Vigilantes concert know that Kenny Hutson who played guitar, mandolin, and pedal steel, has decided to leave the band after a couple years of heavy touring and recording. The road has taken its toll on band members before—it's bound to happen to a band that tours as much as VoL does and attracts such talented musicians. Kenny will be missed. The band is playing as a 3-piece for a little while, and Jake, who usually plays bass and the occasional accordian, has played acoustic guitar on a few numbers at recent gigs.
Oct 12, 1999
Releases of Audible Sigh
Hey folks, welcome back from the late-summer lull. As we roll through autumn, we have a few miniature pieces of news to report. First, VoL is talking to several independent labels about releasing the new Audible Sigh. In Europe, the band is expecting a release by March of 2000. In the US, the band is hoping to release the album on two labels to reach different markets. Bill is writing lots of new songs and hopes to take the band into the studio early next year.
In other news, Bill recently had this to say in a note to the vol-list: "On the VoL band front... well... there are changes... can't say for sure at this point what they are." Stay tuned.
And in case you missed them, the results of the VoL song poll conducted by PasteMusic.com are available on their web site.
Aug 10, 1999
PasteMusic.com Sponsoring VoL Top 20 Poll
PasteMusic.com is currently running a poll to determine the favorite 20 VoL songs and albums of all time. You can vote by mailing your five favorite songs (which must be a song recorded by the Vigilantes), in order, and your favorite album to [address deleted]. They will tally up the votes received by midnight the night of August 22 (EDT). As an added bonus, Paste will randomly select three voters to receive prizes, including a free CD from the Paste catalog and copies of their new sampler CD.
Jul 7, 1999
Live Web Cast on Thursday, July 8
The band had a great time at the Cornerstone festival, though the heat took a toll on Bill's voice and they cut their last-night-midnight show down to an hour and a half. Thanks to all the fans who bought the two new CDs, even before the band had taken the stage. The news that has made its way all the way out here to San Francisco is that the hour-and-a-half was well worth standing in the dust and heat to see.
Full Moon Entertainment, who manages VoL, has put up a slick new web site. Check out their VoL page.
This Thursday's show at the 40Watt in Athens will be broadcast live on the web at 9pm Eastern. This time you'll need the Real Player to catch the show. See the 40Watt site for details (click on "See the Show" once you've entered the site).
Jun 16, 1999
Hold Placed on New EP Sales
Well, apparently the band and the places taking online orders for the new EP and the pre-release of Audible Sigh have been so overwhelmed by the response that they've had to stop taking orders of the EP—we hear only 3,000 were pressed—until after the Cornerstone festival. Otherwise, at the rate that orders are pouring in, the band wouldn't have any to sell at the festival. Please understand that the steam engines are workin' overtime, and without a label, the band and its partners have to juggle things that cost money (e.g. pressing CDs) very carefully, all the while trying not to undercut any future deals. It ain't easy. Patience, kid. There's now talk of re-issuing the EP in some form later this year, so stay tuned.
Bill Mallonee has said repeatedly that "the grassroots thing" is clearly one of the band's biggest assets. The biggest, of course, is the great music that we are all privileged to hear. Thanks go to VoL and their cohorts for making all of this new music available, and we apologize for our insatiable appetites. :-)
Jun 15, 1999
Keeping Track of Everything
OK, break out your number two pencil and your VoL album-release scorecard (if you have not received your scorecard, use a sticky note or some sort of index card):
Audible Sigh: Studio album is recorded in December 1998 for Pioneer Music Group. PMG gears up for distribution through Atlantic, distributes lots of promo copies, presses "Goes Without Saying" singles, then goes out of business in March 1999. Fans hold their breath. VoL negotiates ownership of the album.
Status: shopping the album to labels, limited independent release in July
Availability: July 1999, exclusively at the Cornerstone Festival or True Tunes
'Cross the Big Pond: Seven-track EP recorded and mixed in five days in September 1998 at a studio in Cheltenham, England, while touring the UK. Mostly acoustic. Bill plays drums. Some material later re-recorded for Audible Sigh.
Status: limited independent release in July
Availability: July 1999, exclusively at the Cornerstone Festival, PasteMusic.com, or True Tunes
Driving the Nails: Album is recorded and released by Core in 1991. Core rereleases the album in 1994. Band never receives royalties. Core goes bankrupt in 1999 and VoL acquires the masters.
Status: in the fold, but on hold
Availability: just be patient for crying out loud. (Some online stores still have copies.)
Never a dull moment. The VoL train rambles on...
Jun 12, 1999
Band to Release Limited Audible Sigh for Fans
Audible Sigh will see a limited release in July! It seems the band had a little more up its sleeve than was apparent during the Internet broadcast. The band is working with True Tunes to bring you a very limited release of the band's mythical new album that was set for major-label release when the major label went out of business in March. Though VoL is shopping the album and may eventually sign with another label, they feel that the fans deserve to be rewarded for their amazing support and patience over the past months. It's for you.
The band is hoping that this limited release won't dilute the sales of the album when and if it comes out on a label, so if you're a fan who's gonna pick up the limited release, you should consider purchasing the subsequent release, too. As an incentive, VoL will probably alter the songlist of any subsequent release—adding and removing a few songs. Please read what True Tunes has to say. And check out that oh-so-appropriate artwork on the limited edition.
The limited release will be for sale at the Cornerstone Festival in July and will be available via mail order from True Tunes. Both places will also have the new, somewhat-acoustic EP that was recorded in the UK, now titled Cross the Big Pond.
Jun 3, 1999
Band to Release Acoustic Album at Cornerstone
"This is where the light starts to hesitate and flicker." Through the blurry images and halting sound that are Internet video, Bill and company announced that they will be releasing, in one month at the Cornerstone festival, the mostly-acoustic album that they recorded in the UK. This is certainly welcome news to fans who are waiting for new material. Some fans (and VoL themselves) have been waiting years for a new acoustic release. If you're not going to the festival, don't worry—plenty of discs will be available and you'll be able to get one.
The Dallas show that was seen on the net marks the end of the six-week tour that took the band through the midwest, to the west coast where they are less known (but those of us who know you thank you for coming!), and back to Texas. They'll be taking a much deserved break before the summer festivals.
One other piece of news today: Dallas-based filmmaker Marc Pilvinsky recently shot a video for "Resplendent," the haunting ballad from the forthcoming Audible Sigh album, and this video has been accepted into the Eye-Ball Music Video Competition, part of the AthFest (Athens Music Festival). The cool video was shot in Super-8 at various locations—an old log cabin, in some fields, by a pond. The picture currently on the front of the VoL page is actually a cropped still from the video. Watch this space for more info.
May 29, 1999
Live Web Cast of Tour Finale This Week
The band will be wrapping up its current six-week tour in Dallas at Club Dada this Thursday, and if you live somewhere besides Dallas, you can catch the show on a live web cast! The show starts promptly at 10pm Central time on Thursday, June 3, at Broadcast.com.
And there's a good reason to catch this show: the guys are going to make a very special and exciting announcement at this show. Don't miss it. You'll need Microsoft's Media Player to watch the show, so if you don't have it, you may want to get it and install it before Thursday. Follow the link above for more information.
Everest update: Did you know that some climbers recently set out to find the body of George Mallory who disappeared near the summit of Mount Everest in 1924? Surprisingly, they found him. The expedition is being filmed for an upcoming Nova documentary, and on their web site Nova has posted clips of the VoL song "To the Roof of the Sky", which Bill wrote about Mallory's original expedition.
May 25, 1999
Audible Sigh in January
At several live shows recently, Bill has said that the new album should be out by January 2000. It's a long time to wait for fans who've been chomping at the bit for the disc, but I'm sure it'll be worth it. Check back for details about distribution.
May 12, 1999
Killing Floor and Jugular MP3s For Sale
If you've been following the news, you know that there's at least one big ripple making its way through the music industry right now: digital audio available on the Internet. Just this week, for example, the largest record company in the US, Universal, announced that they would be selling music on the net by the end of the year using a new audio format, seeking to counter the popularity of the MP3 format which they find threatening.
The impatient may already have discovered GoodNoise which is selling music today in the form of MP3 files. Were you as surprised as I was to see that VoL's former label, Fingerprint, seems to have made some VoL classics available this way: Jugular and Killing Floor? Check it out.
May 5, 1999
VoL Enlists Fans for Grassroots Publicity
Want to know how you can help the band? They could really use your help right now to get the word out about the live shows. If you've been reading the reports on this web site, you know that the guys are out there right now playing some of their best shows ever, and many a VoL fan was made after seeing them play.
So here's how to help: Take a look at the tour list to see if VoL is going to be in your area. If so, the band can send you posters and fliers to distribute to key places in your community, such as street corners near the venue, colleges, record stores, grocery stores, churches, etc. Get the word out!
In return for your help, VoL will see that you and one friend will be put on the band's guest list so you can just show up at the door and give them your names to see the show FREE.
If you'd like to help, contact the band's manager, Lott Shudde, at fullmoonent@mindspring.com by Wednesday, May 12 (or sooner, if you can). Send him your name, complete mailing address, and phone number. He'll get back to you with more details.
May 3, 1999
Band Secures Rights to Audible Sigh
Bill announced at a couple of recent shows that the band has finally obtained the rights to the album that Pioneer Music Group was planning to release when they unexpectedly went out of business earlier this year. The band is thrilled and is now trying to figure out how they want to release it. They've tossed around a few possibilites, apparently, including trying to manufacture some in the coming weeks to take to the Cornerstone festival this July. They've also talked about recording some of their newer songs, such as "Solar System" to add to the disk—Bill has even joked that they could probably turn it into a double album (or maybe he wasn't joking). Stay tuned.
Also, we've heard that VoL has made an appearance on a Celctic Praise album put together by Sammy Horner. It includes a new recording of "Double Cure" that emphasizes the Scottish melody. As far as we know, this album is only being distributed in the UK.
Apr 25, 1999
Acoustic EP May Be Released
As we reported last October, when VoL was touring the UK last year, they darted into a studio for a bit and recorded an EP of mostly acoustic tunes. Startled Chameleon, the indy label that released the UK version of "To the Roof of the Sky" and organized last year's UK tour, has planned to release the EP in the UK sometime this year, as soon as they can finance it. The distribution in the US is still up in the air, apparently, though Bill mentioned at a recent show in Tennessee that the EP could be out in a couple of months, so he may have something up his sleeve.
One recent report said that the EP has nine songs, though last year we heard that it was seven. Apparently a couple of the disk's songs also appear on Audible Sigh in a different form. Charlotte Ayrton of Eden Burning makes an appearance as well.
Despite the delay of Audible Sigh, 1999 is shaping up to be a great year for fans. The EP makes two new album releases possible this year, and the band is reportedly playing some of its best live shows ever on the current tour. The best way to show your support of the band at this time is to pick up their last two wonderful disks, To the Roof of the Sky and Live at the 40Watt (PasteMusic.com has both), and see the band if they play near you. Enjoy!
Apr 11, 1999
Tidbits
1) We've heard a couple of reports that VoL has recently been covering the Dylan tune "My Back Pages." This is noteworthy because the band has in the past never performed many (any?) covers.
2) You may have seen some of the online music stores taking orders for Audible Sigh and claiming that it will be released April 20 on Wea/Atlantic. Sadly, it's not true. This is stale info from Pioneer Music Group which had a distribution deal with Atlantic when they, PMG, closed in March. Rest assured that the disk will be out eventually. In the mean time, get out and see the live band that is kicking concert-goers butts up and down and having fun doing it.
3) Have you seen those Audible Sigh promo CDs coming out of the woodwork since we reported that one sold for $102.50 at eBay? As of this morning, eBay has 3 separate auctions from people cashing in, or trying to. No comment.
Apr 2, 1999
Audible Sigh Promos are Hot
Believe it or not, an Audible Sigh promo CD turned up for sale at online auctioneer eBay last weekend and sold this morning for $102.50. While collectors seem to be paying top dollar for promo CDs, the band's lawyer is still working out the details with Pioneer that will allow everyone else to purchase the CD for significantly less than this high bidder (and with art work and liner notes to boot). The band expects to have some news very soon. Bill is optimistic and is really looking forward to the extensive tour of the US that is just starting. The band is supposedly in top form. We'll report any news as it comes in.
Mar 30, 1999
VoL is on Tour
The band's plans to tour in support of Audible Sigh are continuing without interruption. Check the regularly-updated tour dates page to see if they're coming anywhere near you. We'll be adding more dates soon. Now considered some kind of pre-promotion tour, it will highlight the new material from Audible Sigh.
Mar 17, 1999
Band Hopes to Release New Disk this Summer
Well, the lawyers are still sorting through things, but the band is hopeful at this point that a deal can be made with Pioneer (remember that Pioneer paid for Audible Sigh) that will allow VoL to get ownership of the disk and To the Roof of the Sky, which was sold to Pioneer. If that happens, they'd like to release the new one to you this summer as an exceptionally well-produced indie record. Stay tuned for more details as they emerge.
On the vol-list, Bill expressed sincere thanks for the amazing show of support from fans on the Internet. You make a difference.
Hey, get out of the house and see a live rock and roll show when the unstoppable VoL train rambles through your town, why dontcha.
Mar 16, 1999
Confirmed Live Shows are Still On
Fear not—the scheduled live shows are still on. Get out there and support the band (and see a great show). Bill says the band is taking the news well ("what a bunch of renegades") and is working now to iron out the details with Pioneer.
Mar 14, 1999
Pioneer Folds
With extraordinarily bad timing, Pioneer Music Group, the label that was set to release VoL's incredible new album is closing. This leaves the album and the band in a confusing limbo. The band would appreciate your prayers and encouragement.
Mar 13, 1999
Rave Reviews Surfacing for New Album
The new VoL album, Audible Sigh, which you know hits the streets April 20, is already receiving some rave reviews. Several folks who've heard pre-release copies of the album are calling it the band's best, one vol-list subscriber says he was "simply stunned", and True Tunes has already published an extremely favorable review of the new disk.
Mar 1, 1999
40Watt Album Has Sneak Peek of New Song
Folks who have been enjoying the new live album, may be interested in knowing that they have the inside scoop on one of the songs to be featured on the forthcoming Audible Sigh album. "It Could Be A Lot Worse," which debuted as a live recording on Live at the 40Watt, gets the studio treatment on the new album, along with the cream of the crop of new songs that concert goers have been enjoying for the last year. The new disk won't hit stores until April 20, but you can get the live album today from PasteMusic.com, the company that had the idea to release a VoL live album in the first place.
Feb 18, 1999
Lyrics For First Single, PMG Web Site
The lyrics for the new album are beginning to trickle in, starting with the first single, "Goes Without Saying." Audible Sigh has a street date of April 20, and word is that it's an impressively polished, high-energy album.
Pioneer Music Group has established their own VoL web presence and an email list for announcements. Thanks, PMG, for linking to the coaster site! Isn't it about time that someone registered www.vigilantesoflove.com?
Stay tuned...
Feb 11, 1999
New Album Due April 20
The new album is in fact called Audible Sigh and you can expect it to hit the streets April 20. The band will be touring the US extensively in support of the album. Watch this site in the coming weeks for details.
Jan 31, 1999
A Few Live Dates With the New Drummer
Though the band won't be in full tour mode for a few months, they're playing a few shows in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and home in Georgia, and these will be the first dates with the new drummer, Kevin Heuer, who used to play with My Friend Stephanie.
Jan 24, 1999
VoL to Play at C-Stone '99
Contrary to some expectations, VoL will be playing at this year's Cornerstone Festival in July. VoL has played very well-received sets for several years at the festival, but Bill's comments from the main stage last year caused some controversy among some of the festival's more conservative sponsors and attendees, and there was some doubt that the band would be invited back. On stage, Bill was responding to the previous band which presented an evangelistic message aimed at the youth in the audience and, in their message, apparently implied that drinking alcohol was unconditionally wrong. Much has been said and written about his comments since then, at the band's Q&A appearance later in the festival, in the festival sponsor's magazine, and on the Internet. Here's Bill's one-minute tirade, which you can listen to if you have an MP3 player. If you don't, you may want to read the transcript. (Thanks to Brad Caviness for the high-quality recording and Jerry Moore for transcripts.)
But that's tired old news; how about something new: unrelated to all of that, the Buddy Miller-produced Emmylou Harris album, Spyboy, has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Folk Album category. Buddy is also the producer of VoL's forthcoming album on the Pioneer label.
Jan 6, 1999
New Album Title?
CCM Magazine is reporting that the new album is called Audible Sigh. Expect a release by April.
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