I [heart] Davids It helps me to say these things aloud, I think.

Another “small world” story.
I knew Dan Villanueva in college. He was in a band called Dorian Gray. I fell in love with their Morrissey-influenced music, and had a little crush on Dan, who was the cute lead singer. They even played a gig at my Grandmother’s house one summer!
I found Dan on-line this winter, and wrote him this letter. I never got a response, but it’s such a sentimental story, I share it with you now.

Hi Dan-Dan!

A funny thing happened to me the other day. I was listening to The Postal Service “Give Up” and for some reason, I had a flashback memory of Dorian Gray. Something about the music I was listening to jiggled a memory that was 13 years old, and make me want to pop in my Dorian Gray tape to live in the past. I got to work a few minutes later and opened my email. I found this funny little message that slipped past the spam filter. When I saw that, I thought it must be a sign. Then I found your site and wow, you’re still working with Keith on Astropop3! I am so proud of you! I listened to some of the clips and it sounds like you’ve been true to your influences. And your own label, how cool is that? When I found your website, I looked through my boxes in the attic and found a stack of your letters. I have scanned a few pictures I found. I thought you’d get a kick out of them. [Here’s a clipping from the newspaper and a photo of DG playing on Granma’s back porch.] I also found a photo of my college dorm room. You can see the Dorian Gray poster hanging proudly in my room. I wonder where that poster went? I hope you are doing well. You look good, more grown-up than the skinny kid I knew. 🙂 I, too, have grown up! You can check me at out at my silly little blog: jeniq.blogspot.com. It’s pretty random stuff. I’ll attach a recent picture, too. It’s nice to find you are alive and well. I hope you’re happy.

Jeni