So much has happened since my last post. We are well into recording our new album which we are realistically hoping for a summer release. It will be done before that time, but for us to go through all the proper channels of publicity it will take that time to officially release it.

So what is done? We are done with all the major recording. Guitars, bass drums, and more guitars are done. We did some pretty obscure recording techniques to get some pretty awesome sounds. For instance we recorded all the electric guitars in the bathroom. So what is left? Well the vocals for one thing. And I am going crazy on the vocals this time around. I have recently become re-obsessed with Fleetwood Mac and Queen. I will leave it at that for now, but I will tell you it’s gonna be really involved. We are also needing to track the string section, Violin, Viola, and cello. We have an amazing trio coming in for this(part of them are a part of this post-rock ensemble call industries of the blind, listen to them here: Industries of the Blind ). Pedal steel. If any of you have been following us on Twitter and Facebook you know that I have been crying for a pedal steel guitar. We haven’t yet found one to borrow, but we are still looking. And when we find it we will record it. And lastly we have to add the ear candy. Ear candy? Yes, ear candy. This is all the little things like shakers, and tambourines, and background noises, and dogs barking(if you listen closely on our first album you can hear Oran’s dog bark at the beginning of ‘With You’).

In other news we are fortunate to have Adam Duritz and Rosanne Cash as fans, friends, and neighbors. They have been a huge help in getting our name and music out there. Just this week Rosanne has been connecting us with new fans and helping us acquire a proper booking agent. Her booking agent that is. I am actually talking to him tomorrow(March 21) so wish us luck. This will be a huge help in getting us out on the road which is where we want to be. Playing shows. We also have a line in the water for a new management team. I can’t expand upon this now, but as soon as something finalizes I will let you know(check our Twitter for instant updates). And just yesterday my brother and our guitar player Brett ran into Adam at SXSW. Adam was having some chicken, but Brett had to interrupt him long enough to thank him for all his help.

After being asked by a few fans what we need to finish recording I decided to make a list. Here are a few things we are waiting for to move forward with recording:

1) Golden Age Pre 73 Vocal pre amp -$300 Bucks at musiciansfriend.com
This is to make our vocals sounds amazing.
2) Pedal Steel -$700-1000 on Ebay
This is to make all those sad songs even sadder.
3 Pizza – $36 for 2 pies at Rose and Joe’s in Astoria
It’s fuel for inspiration. We gotta eat right?

If you have any of these things and we could borrow for the duration of recording please get in contact with us at info@runawaydorothy.com. Or if you would like to make a contribution to help us afford to buy/rent these items you can do so at Paypal.com and use the address paypal@runawaydorothy as the recipient.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone for their support. We are a completely indie band that survives by the kindness of our fans. You help me get up early in the morning to do my work. Thank you. And I want to especially thank Brenda Likavec, Ingrid Lundt, and Jerllin Cheng for their continuous support and dedication to our music. You have no idea how much you mean to me.

Until next time,

d

Oh and the photo above is of the Festival for Humanity we will be playing this Memorial Day. More details to come.

It’s the holiday time of year again and we have so much to be thankful for. This year has been the best for us as a band and for me personally it has been the best too. With that in mind it’s time to give something back. Last year at Christmas we decided we were gonna raise some money(not for us for a change) for a little girl we sponsor in Columbia through Children International. Her name is Kelly and she is 9. If I were smarter at using computers I would figure out a way to post a picture of her. Anyway, with the help of some fantastic people we raised some money to send to Kelly and her family to help them have a better Christmas. We want to do that again this year. And this time we want to make it bigger and better.

So here is the plan. Anyone who donates to help Kelly and her family have the best Christmas ever will receive a free digital copy of our debut album ‘The Arc’ for themselves AND a friend. Donate any amount and get two copies. Not bad huh? All you need to do is:

1 Go to Paypal.com

2 Enter your amount to send (ie $100.00)

3 Select ‘Buy Something’ – This is so you do not pay any fees. We are responsible for all fees.

4 Enter the email address ‘paypal@runawaydorothy.com’ in the ‘TO’ field and enter your email address so we know where to send your download

5 Enter your paying option on the next page and send.

And then you will receive and email with a link to download the album. It’s that easy. ALL the money raised will go to the family. And if you have any questions please feel free to contact us at info@runawaydorothy.com.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Dave

Do you ever have that moment when you realize things have come full circle? I recently did. And to be honest I think I am living inside of the circle. Let me tell you a story.

When I first began performing music I used to frequent an open mic in Southern Pines, North Carolina. The place was called the Picnic Basket. My friend, an awesome musician, Laura Vincent introduced me to the place. At first I came along just to accompany her on guitar. Play a lead part here and come up with a cool lick there. No singing and I definitely wasn’t gonna play one of my songs. But after a few weeks of going I got the courage to break out and attempt some things on my own. I wanted to sing my songs(this is something I have know since I as 12 when I only knew 2 chords on the guitar. My first song ‘Sticks and Stones’ was written with those two chords. I still remember the chorus to this day. It is a bad song. But a start).

And so I started doing songs by myself. I would mix in an original and then play a song from my current favorite album ‘Recovering The Satellites’ by Counting Crows. **Editors note. This is still my favorite album by them. Dark, gloomy and full of all the right emotions in stellar songs. I don’t think the audience liked my renditions too much. I was encouraged to just play guitar for my friend. Now these people were not like the Brooklyn Open Mic going hipsters. These were older retirees who wanted to hear the pretty girl with the pretty voice sing. I didn’t listen. And week after week I would drive 45 mins to show up at that open mic to play my three songs generally consisting of an Oasis tune, an original, and a Counting Crows songs. Some weeks I would get skipped. On purpose perhaps. But the next week I would be back again. To try again. This is what I want to do. And if it takes getting knocked down and told ‘no’ then I am not going to listen to anyone or anything but my gut.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. Adam Duritz of Counting Crows is doing an interview on a great music blog where the first thing he mentions is how much he loves our album. He calls it ‘Killer’. I can’t believe what I am hearing. The musician whose songs I used to butcher when I was first learning to be on a stage thinks my album is ‘great’. This is blowing my mind. I can’t believe it. But it’s true. It says it right there in print. I read it with my own eyes. So I immediately tweet at him to say thank you for such high praise. And that coming from him it really means a lot. He responded by saying that all he did was listen. And he thanked me. And just this past weekend he was home and tweeted that he was listening to our album again and how great he thought it is. Unbelievable.

Now if I can only get him to produce our next album….

Here’s how it works:

We have set up a project at kickstarter.com.

We spread the word like wild fire that we are making a new record and ask people to donate a buck or two. BUT instead of just asking for money we are giving away prizes with each donation. For instance if you give a dollar to make our record you get a free download of our debut album. Not bad huh? You get our debut album that sells on iTunes for $9.99 for just $1. And there are pledge levels all the way from $1 to $10,000 so everyone can participate at a level they feel comfortable. Donate $10,000 and Runaway Dorothy will come and play a private show for you WHERE EVER you live(as long as it’s in the lower 48).

Also, we know that times are difficult financially for us all right now so if you can’t give you can still help out. Just tell someone about our project. We would greatly appreciate any help you could give us and will forever be grateful.

Thanks,

RD

For more details and to contribute visit

Today only. Become our friend on facebook. Leave us a wall post. We will give you a free copy of our debut cd. Already a fan? We will be giving away a runaway dorothy prize pack today to a lucky wall poster too.

www.facebook.com/runawaydorothy

The bank is running dry. Being the sole supporter of a band is not a good idea. I highly discourage anyone from doing it. That being said with the band in the studio and not touring or promoting(other than our fine efforts on the web), we have very little money coming in. No one is buying music anymore. I found our record all over the bit torrent sites. Free always wins over paying. So in light of these economic woes I have but the band for sale on craigslist. Here is the add:

For sale one bankrupt Indie Rock Band. Comes complete with five members and vintage gear. Will not break the set. If you have ever wanted to own your very own Indie Band but thought you couldn’t afford it now is your chance. We will finance. Have all your party entertainment needs met. Weddings? You are covered. Funerals? Prepared! Bah Mitzvahs? You would be the Bah Mitzvah king! 

Heartbreaking songs and skinny jeans thrown in for free. Will consider trade for 1978 Ford Pinto in baby blue. Must have clear title. No reasonable offer refused. 

Reply to info@runawaydorothy.com 

No takers as of yet. 

Lastly a bit of good news. We do have a show coming up in a couple weeks in New York. And we may be doing a weekly show in New York while we are finishing up the new Ep. More news on that soon too. The stars still tell me that we will be all well and famous by March and I guess that we can hold on until then.

1. Updated the Myspace, Website, and Facebook to say ‘Runaway Dorothy is the love child of Coldplay, Jakob and Bob Dylan’. What are your thoughts on this? Is this an accurate depiction in your opinion?
2. Working on editing some video from the studio. Want to put up a little reel so you can see some of the things we were doing. I will edit out Warren running around with his ass hanging out.
3. Just posted on your website www.runawaydorothy.com that if you sign the mail list we will give you a free download of the demo to ‘Chases’. It’s not for sale anywhere and I will let you know that the single we release will NOT sound anything like the demo. So if you haven’t do so and you will get the download for free.
4. I just made the worst coffee ever. FYI do not leave coffee grounds in your coffee maker for over 10 days while you are visiting family or on tour or in the studio. The next pot of coffee you make will taste like ass.
5. Wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Safe 2010. We want to volunteer to be your soundtrack for the coming year.

The picture is a sign in North Carolina with my name on it. Only three weeks in and I already have streets named after me.