Books

SWING! The New Retro Renaissance documents the first major lifestyle change since punk. After a 50-year absence, partner-dancing is back with a vengeance, propelled by a new generation of bands with roots in Hot Jazz, Jump Swing, Western Swing and Rockabilly. Over thirty interviews: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Lavay Smith, Big Six, Flyin' Lindy Hoppers, Sam Butera and more!

Hundreds of photos of the bands and dancers, hairstyles, furnishings, vintage cars, exciting retro clothes and other relics saved from extinction by cutting-edge visionaries. Full of informative directories, lists of recommended recordings, books, films, etc. this is the first comprehensive guide to a new state of mind being pioneered on the West Coast.

"Hipsters and swing kids rejoice: Swing! The New Retro Renaissance is your bible."
Juxtapoz

"The newest book from SF's fave source of sedition, V/Search Publications, has everything your zoot-suited little heart desires: jump-blues, rockabilly, big-band swing; dancers, hairstyles, cars, and clothes; directories to recordings, books, and films. Most important, it's got fabulous photos and interviews with everyone from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to the New Morty Show to Lavay Smith to the Royal Crown Revue to just about any West Coast swinger who matters."
SF Bay Guardian

"Extensive reference material, photos galore and fascinating interviews. Open the book to any page, start reading, and you'll be hooked."
Request Magazine

"Swing! is a social document as valid and valuable as any other in V. Vale's catalog, and maybe even more so."
Alternative Press

"Swing! The New Retro Renaissance is a good textbook for those seeking knowledge into the swing scene."
Dancing USA

"A gift from heaven landed in our hands, a killer book titled Swing! The New Retro Renaissance, chock full o' information and tasty pictures for all the cool cats and kittens that are into the swing/rockabilly/twang thing."
Gavin