So we've found ourselves here, in this the twelfth and final month of 2008, looking forward to a grand yet uncertain 2009, with sharp corners to turn, with a stiff wind of change in the air, and with buckets full of hope that It. Will. Get. Better. Sooner... Later... Eventually... Everly.

But before we get there, wherever there may be, a bit of business...

So many wonderful goings on went on the previous eleven months that we would feel remiss not to reminisce, if only for a brief moment or two...

February... A new record began to take shape, shifting and stretching, hinting at new things to come.

March & April... A long overdue romp through great Midwestern America. There was Iowa. There was Minnesota. There was Illinois. Ohio, too. And somehow, my old Kentucky home. And, what the hell, West Virginia for good measure.

May... The official French release of "Grace & Speed", followed by an utterly exhilarating and triumphant tour through that great republic, replete with cheese and wine and baguettes and the many smiling faces of greater France.

June... In a word, Glastonbury. The mightiest of festivals in that most United of Kingdoms. Before and after, glorious touring for weeks on end from the southernmost to the northernmost -- all of it jolly, filled with fish & chips & ales, and that sweet, unshakably kind British sensibility.

July... Said new record, having shapeshifted into something recognizable, was given a name. Thenceforth it was to be known -- as it will be known to you next year -- as "Divide & Conquer". Having liked what we heard, we began the long journey that shall eventually end at your iPods, your CD players, your turntables, and your gramophones.. Do stay tuned.

October... What's that you say? Go West Young Man? Well, by golly we did! From San Diego to Seattle, and many points in between, we finally found ourselves touring the mighty Pacific coast, kicking ourselves for not doing so sooner... How we miss thee already!

November... Speaking of things missed, what would 2008 have been without a follow-up visit to the many great cities of France? I'll tell you what -- it would have been unbearably -- no! insupportably! -- heartbreaking. And so, we suited up, we hopped the pond, and we found ourselves stirring up the falling leaves of France, singing songs from Toulouse to Lille, from Rouen to Tours, from Bordeaux to Paris to Orleans and beyond! Oh, how we, too, miss thee already, fair France. How we'll see you soon.

And so, that brings us to today. The very first day of December. Just a few remaining shows, then a long holiday nap. Those of you in the DC and NYC areas, please do visit the SHOWS section on this very page. How we'd love to see your shining faces before the new year comes.

Finally, to ALL of YOU, we say THANKS! A thousand times over, for your time, your attention, your ears, your eyes, your hearts, your high fives, and your support.

May 2008 pass with great warmth and cheer for you and yours. And may our paths cross many times over in 2009!

xo,
VNDVR