[Danny Richie]

Hello Danny!

This will be brief and worth your while, I promise. Exciting things are afoot.

We just launched pre-orders for the new album:
http://viennateng.bandcamp.com/album/aims

...which now has a title, AIMS, and a cover image: a map of Detroit by data visualization artist Stephen Von Worley. (More on this later.)

USA Today ran a nice feature story on it this morning. I had a fascinating chat with music writer Brian Mansfield for the article; I asked about his recent brush with colon cancer, and we talked quite a bit more about religion and the healing power of observation than your average interview.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/07/12/vienna-teng-exclusive-three-song-sampler/2509797/

You can listen to three songs—The Hymn of Acxiom, Close to Home and In the 99—and read the backstory, lyrics and recording credits for each. Pre-ordering allows you to download them immediately. The Hymn of Acxiom is also available for FREE DOWNLOAD (just put $0 when you "purchase" it).

http://viennateng.bandcamp.com/track/the-hymn-of-acxiom
http://viennateng.bandcamp.com/track/close-to-home
http://viennateng.bandcamp.com/track/in-the-99

If you want a deluxe copy of the album, head over to the trusty Vienna Teng Merchandise Store to pre-order CD books with full artwork, USB drives with video extras, and other goodies:

http://viennateng.portmerch.com/stores/home.php?cat=607

If you just want a digital download or a simple eco-packaged CD, http://viennateng.bandcamp.com/album/aims is the way to go.

OR, if you want to HELP FUND A MUSIC VIDEO and other creative album promotion projects, stayed tuned for a Kickstarter campaign—which will include autographed copies of the album among the thank-you gifts!

-------------------------
CATCH TWO SHOWS THIS WEEK ON CONCERT WINDOW

The summer solo tour is off to a lovely start: the rooms in Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Burlington were packed with loving crowds, Alex and I have been making up new arrangements on the spot, and we even have a special guest singing a duet with me on Landsailor. 

The shows this Friday and Sunday will be LIVE WEBCAST on Concert Window, so tune in if you can't make it in person!

FRIDAY 12 JULY @ 8:00 PM EDT: LIVE IN NATICK, MA
http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/vienna-teng--4

SUNDAY 14 JULY @ 7:00 PM EDT: LIVE IN LONDONDERRY, NH
http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/vienna-teng--3

Also, this just in: I'll be performing some of the new songs on the live radio show MOUNTAIN STAGE ON SUNDAY JULY 21 (the show will be broadcast later this summer). West Virginians, come on out!

FULL TOUR LISTING AT VIENNATENG.COM/SHOWS

* with Alex Wong: http://highceilingsmusic.com/wp/
† with Barnaby Bright http://barnabybright.com/


SUMMER SOLO TOUR
* 12 Jul: Natick MA – Center for the Arts [will be live webcast: http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/vienna-teng--4]
* 13 Jul: Ogunquit ME – Jonathan’s
* 14 Jul: Londonderry NH – Tupelo Hall [will be live webcast: http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/vienna-teng--3]
* 20 Jul: Charlotte NC – McGlohon Theater
21 Jul: Charleston WV – Mountain Stage **JUST ADDED**

ALBUM RELEASE PREVIEW (TRIO)
* 18 Aug: San Diego CA – Grand Del Mar

ALBUM RELEASE TOUR – U.S. (TRIO)
† 25 Sep: Evanston, IL – Space
* 26 Sep: Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
† 27 Sep: Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
† 28 Sep: Kent, OH – The Kent Stage
* 30 Sep: Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
* 1 Oct: Boston, MA – Royale
* 2 Oct: Norfolk, CT – Infinity Hall
* 3 Oct: Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Wolf Den
* 4 Oct: New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
* 5 Oct: Blairstown, NJ – Blairstown Historic Theatre
* 6 Oct: Annapolis, MD – Rams Head on Stage
* 8 Oct: Philadelphia, PA – World Café Live
* 9 Oct: Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Café
* 10 Oct: Washington, DC – The Hamilton
* 11 Oct: Asheville, NC – Altamont Theatre
12 Oct: Durham, NC – The Carolina Theatre
* 13 Oct: Atlanta, GA – Eddie’s Attic

ALBUM RELEASE TOUR – GERMANY (TRIO)
15 Oct: Koblenz DE – Cafe Hahn
16 Oct: Karlsruhe DE – Tollhaus
17 Oct: Kaiserslautern DE – Kammgarn
18 Oct: Freiburg DE – Jazzhaus
19 Oct: Stuttgart DE – Theaterhaus
20 Oct: Nürnberg DE – Maritim
22 Oct: Helmbrechts DE – Bürgersaal
23 Oct: Dresden DE – Lukaskirche
24 Oct: Leipzig DE – Peterskirche
25 Oct: Kassel DE – Staatstheater
26 Oct: Worpswede DE – Music Hall
27 Oct: Bernau DE – Ofen Bar
28 Oct: Hamburg DE – Fabrik
29 Oct: Hannover DE – Kultursommer Schloss Landestrost
30 Oct: Mainz DE – Frankfurter Hof

ALBUM RELEASE TOUR – U.K. (TRIO)
1 Nov: London UK – Bush Hall

ALBUM RELEASE TOUR – U.S. (TRIO)
† 7 Nov: Austin, TX – One World Theatre
† 8 Nov: Houston, TX – Dosey Doe
† 9 Nov: Dallas, TX – Kessler Theatre
* 11 Nov: Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum
* 13 Nov: Los Angeles, CA – Largo
14 Nov: Livermore, CA – Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
16 Nov: San Francisco, CA – The Independent (2 Shows)
† 19 Nov: Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
* † 20 Nov: Seattle, WA – Neptune
† 22 Nov: Sacramento, CA – Assembly
† 23 Nov: Saratoga, CA – Villa Montalvo Carriage House
† 4 Dec: Nashville, TN – The Basement
† 5 Dec: St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
† 6 Dec: Lawrence, KS – Lawrence Art Center
† 7 Dec: Tulsa, OK – The Vanguard
† 8 Dec: Cedar Rapids, IA – Legion Arts Center
† 10 Dec: Minneapolis, MN – Dakota Jazz Lounge
* 11 Dec: Denver, CO – Soiled Dove
13 Dec: Albuquerque, NM – Outpost
* 14 Dec: Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room

Full details at http://viennateng.com/shows
-------------------------

Can't wait for you to hear this music. Please share it far and wide.

Love,
VT

[randytsuch]

Thanks for the heads up.

She is on the relatively small list of artists I listen to.

[Captainhemo]

just listened to the samples,  very   good.   
Not familiar with her  music before this....   now listening to   "Dreaming Through The Noise"  on Rdio
Think I'm going to pre-order a digital copy of  the new one...   thanks for the  links  Danny   and Vienna  !!

-jay

[Cheeseboy]

She reminds me of a highly styled Zero 7 with Sia on vocals.  I think I like her better than Sia.

[Chops]

I've seen many exciting things over the years, but "afoot" was never one of them. 

[Danny Richie]

A new message from Vienna Teng,


Hello Danny!

HOLY MOLY.

When I launched the Kickstarter campaign for a music video two weeks ago, we hit 50% FUNDED IN LESS THAN TWO HOURS.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/viennateng/level-up-a-music-video-for-the-new-album-aims/posts/568388

Then we reached 100% FUNDED IN UNDER FIVE HOURS.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/viennateng/level-up-a-music-video-for-the-new-album-aims/posts/568598

I am, needless to say, totally stunned. I was optimistic that we'd get there in three weeks...but in the span of one plane ride? Never imagined it. Your outpouring of support and enthusiasm has been so, so humbling and appreciated. THANK YOU.

So what does one do with a resounding success like this?

I've set some STRETCH GOALS for the final days of this campaign—measured not in dollars, but by how many people join us. EVEN $1 PLEDGES COUNT. And I need your help to get the word out.

As of this writing, 757 people have backed this project.

LET'S GET TO 1,000 PEOPLE.

As I say in the pitch video, money isn't actually the main reason I'm on Kickstarter. I'm doing this because I love what it means to crowdfund a project. We're celebrating the power of creating things together. Of pitching in to help turn an idea into a reality. And we're welcoming everyone to the table, whether you have $1 or $5,000 to spare, whether you live down the street or across the world.

Here's what will happen if we get to...

* 1,000 BACKERS: We'll make a BEHIND-THE-SCENES DOCUMENTARY of the Level Up music video! I love watching BTS clips of awesome videos almost as much as the videos themselves.
 
* 1,100 BACKERS: We'll make an Aims tour trio LIVE-IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE VIDEO. It will be multi-camera and epic. Really hope we get to this...

* 1,200 BACKERS: We'll design a COMMEMORATIVE GRAPHIC OF THE KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN that you can print on anything you want (t-shirt, poster, coffee mug, etc). Plus—data geek alert!—we'll survey backers with fun questions and release an ANONYMIZED DATASET OF THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN. It's like a big group hug and a gift to future Kickstarter projects all in one!

Also: I've added new and replenished rewards:

* $150+: EMAIL FEEDBACK on your own work. Send anything you've created—song, college application essay, poem, book chapter, anniversary love letter, etc.—and I'll email you with constructive feedback (or just detailed encouragement, if you prefer). Looking forward to supporting you in your own creativity!

* $200+: CARE PACKAGE from me containing one each of my favorite books, CDs, and food items (or Detroit souvenirs), plus a handwritten note!
 
* $300+: COVER SONG of your choice (send me a message to be notified when these go live—they'll go as quickly as the first batch)!
 
* $5,000+: SPEND A DAY WITH ME! One backer already has me headed for Australia next year for an engagement party. Where else might I go?

Check out this update for a video of me celebrating hitting our original goal:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/viennateng/level-up-a-music-video-for-the-new-album-aims/posts/581071

I promise I'll do an extended happy dance (with extra silly) if we get 1,000 backers.

Let's do this.

Love,
VT

[Captainhemo]

The AIMS album was released today  ...good stuff 

-jay

[TrungT]

I got the her CD couple days ago. 
AIMS

[TrungT]

Only a few more hours to get AIMS for $5! Order up to 10 eco-pack CDs with discount code 'aims4friend' - Port Merch ships internationally too. Sale ends at 11:59pm Eastern tonight! http://viennateng.portmerch.com/stores/product.php?productid=18814[/size]

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[BobM]

wish I know about this promo code before it expired.

[Cheeseboy]

Anyone from Audiocircle going to the Vienna Teng show in Livermore on November 14th.  I just got tickets for Row H smack dab in the center.  There are some really great seat still available.  If you poke yourself in the eye and tear a little and squint I look like a drew Carrie and Fabio combination. 

See you there.

[jopagi]

Just caught her show yesterday at Mississippi Studios in Portland.   It was a solid show as usual.   
Barnaby Bright opened -- hadn't heard them before.  They were excellent.

[Cheeseboy]

What a fabulous musician!  That was my first exposure to Vienna Teng.  She should never listen to her Grandmothers advice.

[Danny Richie]

Holiday greetings Danny!

A belated happy solstice to you. I'm sitting at a desk in my parents' house, drinking candy-cane flavored tea (judge away, ye purists), and I'm actually grateful to be spending the entire day on the computer. Several months constantly on the move will do that to a person. Ahh, the luxury of catch-up time...

So much to share with you as this marvelous, jam-packed year draws to a close! There's lots and lots to see in this update.

* "LEVEL UP" MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE IN _USA TODAY_
* 3 FINAL SHOWS THIS WEEKEND - 2 WILL STREAM LIVE ONLINE!
* BEST-OF-2013 CRITICS' LISTS: _AIMS_ AND _THE FOURTH MESSENGER_
* CHECK OUT PHOTOS AND VIDEO OF THE _AIMS_ TOUR BY KAREN SHIH

-------------------------
"LEVEL UP" MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE IN USA TODAY

It's done! After an incredible Kickstarter campaign, two whirlwind days of shooting in New York, and a few months of meticulous post-production by director Lawrence Chen and his creative team, we're proud to present the official music video for "Level Up," the leadoff track on _Aims_.

Many thanks to USA Today and writer Brian Mansfield for the video premiere - a rare second feature of an album in one year!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/12/17/vienna-teng-level-up-video-premiere/4048761/

Here's the Level Up music video on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw

If you contributed to the project on Kickstarter, THANK YOU SO MUCH for the opportunity to make this. Stay tuned for more info on the behind-the-scenes video, and upcoming tour dates in Canada, Australia, and Asia - that _you_ made possible!

-------------------------
LAST SHOWS OF THE YEAR (TWO STREAMING LIVE)

I'm closing out a red-letter year with a string of celebratory hometown shows this weekend. If you don't live in the Bay Area, fear not: Concert Window is streaming Saturday and Sunday's shows live online!

27 DEC: MILL VALLEY, CA - THROCKMORTON THEATER
Solo, unstructured show. I'll be taking requests, including for songs from _Aims _I haven't yet tried playing by myself...
http://142throckmorton.inticketing.com/evinfo.php?eventid=365477

28 DEC: BERKELEY, CA - _THE FOURTH MESSENGER _BENEFIT
One more performance of _The Fourth Messenger_ music this year! I'll be performing songs from my own catalogue, and we'll do songs from the musical I wrote with Tanya Shaffer, featuring six members of the premiere production cast (including the luminous Annemaria Rajala and the fiery Anna Ishida).
https://www.facebook.com/events/561054313977718/
http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/2307-vienna-teng

29 DEC: BERKELEY, CA - FREIGHT AND SALVAGE
Another unstructured, who-knows-what-might-happen solo show. A guest appearance from an old friend and tourmate is quite possible...
http://freightandsalvage.org/vienna-teng-4
live stream: http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/2308-vienna-teng

DETAILS AT VIENNATENG.COM/SHOWS

-------------------------
"BEST OF 2013" MENTIONS

>From "smartest lyrics" (NJ Star-Ledger) to "most stunning record of the year" (Glide Magazine) to just plain "No. 1" (Huffington Post), it's been fun seeing _Aims_ pop up in various critics' Best of 2013 lists. Thank you to all the reviewers who really spent time with this album and wrote thoughtfully about what they heard!

http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/checkin-em-twice-10-best-2013-albums-released-by-women/
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2013/12/best_albums_of_2013_ten_best_plus_one.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-bialas/best-of-2013-vienna-teng_b_4455972.html

_The Fourth Messenger_ fared well in the best-of lists too, including year-end roundups by KQED and Theater Dogs. Congrats to Tanya Shaffer, Matt August, and the whole cast and crew!

http://www.kqed.org/arts/performance/article.jsp?essid=130826
http://networkedblogs.com/Sg8eX

-------------------------
TOUR VIDEO + PHOTOS BY KAREN SHIH

Throughout the fall, my dear friend Karen Shih (not my sister, for the record - but certainly a kindred spirit!) joined us on tour to take photos, post videos, and help sell merch. Thank you Karen!
http://www.karenshih.com/#!tour/cyec

Her tour photo albums are on my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ViennaTeng/photos_albums

And here's her first of three tour retrospective videos on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GolvPFjbeQ8&list=PLbfiu9Mmi_xdDW1gRIAXmZYxiSnM5LIJs

-------------------------
Whether you're surrounded by warmth this season, or navigating your way bravely through the cold, here's a wish: may music, art, and the kindness of strangers find you.

Love and gratitude,
VT

[ttan98]

Hi,

I already bought 2 of her CD albums, I am from Australia, I visit this site often, keep this thread updated as I would like to know her Australian tour dates. Thanks.

[ttan98]

Hi,

Head to this site:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/12/17/vienna-teng-level-up-video-premiere/4048761/

At the bottom, you heard her new album(all 11 tracks or more, I am listening now not finish yet)) "Aims" free.

[Captainhemo]

About a week ago I also got   an email saying  she had  just released  "
Never Look Away - Mix Stems "

Previews and digital purchase
http://viennateng.bandcamp.com/album/never-look-away-mix-stems

-jay

[Skiman]

I caught her concert here in Denver at the Soiled Dove recently. Great concert, but what was really special was getting to meet her before the show. Apparently since I had purchased the 'best available' tickets well in advance, I received an email inviting us to show up two hours early for a 'meet and greet'. Vienna was extremely gracious, and chatted with our small group for nearly an hour. I now own all four of her CDs, and especially love Aims.

Here's a link to her 'Level Up' music video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw

[Danny Richie]

Here's a link to her 'Level Up' music video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw

Pretty good video.

I have mixed feelings about her new stuff. From a creative standpoint I like it. But to me the newer stuff is to processed and the recording quality that I delight in is just not there. Waking Hour is still my favorite. It is recorded cleaner and sounds more real. The newer stuff sounds more mixed for radio, and to busy. The first album was made for the audiophile.

[Early B.]

Waking Hour is still my favorite. It is recorded cleaner and sounds more real. The newer stuff sounds more mixed for radio, and to busy. The first album was made for the audiophile.

Agreed. Waking Hour is incredibly well recorded.