:: Thursday, June 30, 2005 ::

I revamped the PRESS page - it was getting a bit unwieldy.

:: from Bullette at 10:28 PM

BULLETTE's "Show Me" was played on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic on June 20th! Canowine of Smudge of Ashen Fluff clued me in - Nic Harcourt was featured in Sunday's New York Times Magazine as "The Star Maker of the Semipopular"!

Canowine asked me "What do you see when you listen to music in the dark?" and turned my answer into a post.

Monika Bullette Figures Out Ways to Avoid the Neighbors

Monika Bullette answered my question, "What do you see when you listen to music in the dark?" Instead of posting it under the comments, I saw her brilliant reply as a great opportunity for an mp3 post. Here's (ed. part of) what she said:

"...Okay, I did it - I put on my headphones and closed my eyes and listened to a song (one for which I had never seen the video - since that usually burns an imprint in my visuals). I listened to "I'm A Mess [mp3]" by Nick Lowe from The Convincer album. What I see in specific? Well, despite strong showings of memories of Nick in a fine bespoke suit from when I saw him in Philadelphia, I get sparks of musty wall to wall carpeting and very wide vertical venetian blinds closed against the daylight and figuring out ways to avoid the neighbors. (And a tiny delight in that one snare hit at 2:07 where the bridge hovers for a bar.) What a great song!" - full post here

:: from Bullette at 4:46 PM

June 29, 2005 - Hangnail Phillips' album "Wit's End" is now available for free and legal download! Go get it - Bullette was honored to provide some backing vocals, lyrics, and percussion on some songs...

:: from Bullette at 6:06 AM

exclusive interview with MUSICGEEK.org available now!

:: from Bullette at 11:25 PM

This just came to my attention - from Fingertips site - this Jeremy Schlosberg is a dedicated guy - really, he has the air of pure joy surrounding his enthusiasm for music like his peers in Mystical Beast, Spoilt Victorian Child, and Largehearted Boy (among many).

He wrote this on my birthday - "Hmm. Just noticed I never ended up talking about Bullette, as I promised at the end of May. Such is life in the endless information stream that is the internet. And (such is life in the EIS) by now you may have already heard, as many blogs and other indie-oriented web sites have written about her. But just in case: Bullette is the name with which Wilmington (Del.) singer/songwriter Monika Bullette performs, and in May Ms. Bullette let loose a guerilla publicity campaign, aimed at blogs, to let the world know about her CD, entitled The Secrets, which she has made available in its entirety for free on the web.

Yeah, you can download the whole thing, right here. There are 14 songs in all. I haven't heard all of them, but have now listened pretty closely to half a dozen, and there is some appeal here, even as I can't quite feel at home enough with any of them (yet) to feature them on "This Week's Finds". But, as is my way, I continue to listen and re-visit and will eventually make my way through the album. Maybe a song will eventually hit "This Week's Finds," and if not from this CD maybe from her next one. Clearly Ms. Bullette is a certain sort of a force to be reckoned with (the Philadelphia Inquirer recently saw fit to write about her, the angle being local[ish] musicians with an unusual approach to distribution); but when in doubt, I keep time on my side, and I keep listening........ "

:: from Bullette at 9:15 PM

Rock Snob Thumbs Up! - "This is long overdue. A one Ms. Monika Bullette, took the time to ask if we could review her album the Secrets. Although we normally don’t do much in the way of that, we couldn’t refuse her request after she asked us so sweetly—‘sides she a Holly Golightly fan.

Overall we’re really liking the record. The songs tend to be about the singular theme longing for and losing love. As far as a singular theme that’s a pretty good choice ‘cause there’s enough relatable subject matter to avoid the case of the dreaded sameness. But what makes the Secrets so refreshing is that there’s a great variety musically to augment the usual gentle guitar strumming and soft vocal delivery that you might expect.

Now things don’t fly all over the place like a Fiery Furnaces record, but there’s still a good breadth of instrumentation and enough hook changes to keep things interesting. Little Bird makes good use of the underrated technique of whistling, Lemonade sees her deliver some raw vocals in the role of seductress, and it also makes good use of the sax. But, we like Bullette best when she’s rockin’ out like on the album opener Show Me. As far more competent people than us have pointed out if there’s one major criticism, it’s that many of songs (see Uneasy) seem a little drawn out. But, still, there’s no doubt Bullette’s a true unsigned talent that record reps should be fighting to woo. Until then we suggest do the save as thing and grab Show Me ‘cause we have a feeling we still be rockin’ that tune and her album come years end. "

This will make it to the PRESS page soon but wanted to share it as soon as I read it. Thanks Fresh Young MikeyD and the Rock Snob Krew!

:: from Bullette at 5:25 PM

HANGNAIL PHILLIPS' new album "Wit's End" comes out tomorrow!

Supreme Court Ruling - Musicians, songwriters: P2P ruling rocks - I have been on either end of this issue. I am giving away my songs on purpose. Support artists for the work they do - songs are born of sweat and inspiration.

On the file sharing note - the BULLETTE song "I Can't Tell You Why I'm Smiling" has been downloaded 2364 times as of today!

:: from Bullette at 6:17 AM

Much thanks to Scott Birney for hosting BULLETTE's radio appearance on WVUD on Friday - clips of the interview and performances will be available here soon.

Famous in Serbia and Montenegro? BULLETTE's "Show Me" was sandwiched in between Rilo Kiley and LCD Soundsystem on Pop Depression Radio - Bojana Ljubisic tells me more plays ahead too!

ALSO: Hangnail Phillips' new album "Wit's End" will be coming out in TWO DAYS!

:: from Bullette at 6:38 AM

BULLETTE ON THE RADIO - Bullette and Hangnail Phillips will be burning up the airwaves tomorrow (Friday, June 24th) on WVUD 91.3 in the Philadelphia, PA, USA area. Listen from 11ish to 12 noon EST on your radio or listen online: http://www.wvud.org/listen_online.htm chose WVUD (not WVUD2) - Live performance and interview!


Thank you for the good wishes on my birthday. Mocking Music even semi-promised to have Bullette's "Self-marketing in the Music Blog Era" as a future topic.

:: from Bullette at 6:37 AM

CLICK HERE FOR THE SONGS - THE SONGS ARE HERE!

:: from Bullette at 6:18 AM

There has been a surge in visitors from Thailand - welcome!

But somehow I don't think it has anything to do with the spectacular early birthday present I received today. Bullette is featured in the Daily Magazine of the June 18th, 2005 Philadelphia Inquirer - an article called "A Giveaway That Gets Her Music Discovered" (registration required). Thank you Daniel Rubin and David.

The correct URL to get the music - click here to download "The Secrets".
The "complete" version that was on the Philadelphia Inquirer's Blinq blog is here. The print version is slightly different - see PDF if you don't want to register.

:: from Bullette at 6:29 AM

Bullette needs to get in print! You are here already but the masses of people not on the Internet(s) need to know about "The Secrets". If you have any influence please recommend that my music, and the web campaign to give it to listeners, is worthy of a story.

My birthday is next week - that would be an awesome present.

or I am accepting (I can dream, can't I?):
1. Arches Watercolor Blocks - coldpress - any size
2. Staples Sl5039 Transparency Film
3. Hand of a Craftsman: The Woodcut Technique of Gustave Baumann
4. Pistola t-shirt in brown/red boatneck M by Barking Irons
5. Etcetera Traditional Electric Violin
6. Give some MONEY TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Monika Bullette
P.O. Box 7711
Wilmington, DE USA
19803-7711

By the way, I saw Rob Montejo, Soft, and The Situation perform last weekend - the photos are here.

:: from Bullette at 6:21 AM

Well, it seems what I thought was the first radioplay was not the first radioplay - Music Lovers played "Your Eyes Have It" - on 6/9/05 on WEVL (89.9FM) Memphis. Thank you Hayden Jackson!

Also of interest: Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, spoke at Atanford University's Commencement. (BTW - Stanford has a great Art Center.)

:: from Bullette at 6:16 AM

First Podcast - Bullette's "Disappearing Act" was featured on Insomnia Radio's 30th podcast. Thank you Jason for the lovely introduction and mentioning the free songs and the website's URL.

:: from Bullette at 6:02 AM

First Radio Play out of Delaware - Bullette was played on legendary cool Los Angeles station 103.1 fm - broadcast on Sunday the 12th - on Dead Air Radio. 103.1FM has a crazy mix of dj's like Steve Jones, Nina Blackwood, Dave Navarro, Henry Rollins, etc.

Don’t Start Believin’ was played right before Bernard Butler/Brett Anderson (Suede)'s new project The Tears.

:: from Bullette at 6:29 AM

I'm honored to be a part of Jason C. de Brandywine's canon - a verbose and veracious review of "The Secrets" - excerpt:

"Bullette comes across like the one-man-band found in Mary Poppins, pushing a herd of instruments towards her audience with the willful determination of a tick, yet without its BLOODTHIRSTY intents -- on the CONTRARY, the BLOOD OF THE WORLD is thirsty for a heart that ticks like BULLETTE’S HEART... " - read full review

:: from Bullette at 6:01 AM

After reading the past couple of weeks' blogs I've noticed that - although this is wonderful - it has been a rundown of reviews and no "fun" stuff so here is a public service announcement:

GREAT SHOW TOMORROW NIGHT IN PHILADELPHIA - If you are anywhere near you should be at this show - Rob Montejo, The Situation, and Soft will be 15 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia PA - themanhattanroom.com Special Matinee show - 6:00 - 10:00pm - yeah!

And a photo I took in AZ - I like dioramas and Westerns (although I think I'll wait for Into the West's eventual DVD):

:: from Bullette at 6:56 PM

Bullette's first Icelandic review:

"Rakst á þessa ágætu söngkonu/sveit í morgun en hún var að gefa út sína fyrstu plötu á Netinu og er öllum frjálst að hala henni niður endurgjaldlaust. Hér er um að ræða eðal indie með sígildum 60's tilvitnunum, folk ívafi og sykursætum laglínum. Reyndar finnst mér orðið full mikil einfeldni í því að flokka tónlist svona niður þar sem það lýsir varla þeim hughrifum sem hún getur haft á mann. En hvað um það. Bullette er s.s. að gefa fyrstu plötuna sína, The Secrets, án endurgjalds og hvet ég ykkur eindregið til að kynna ykkur þessa sveit. Skellið ykkur hingað og njótið vel." from Hefur þú heyrt þetta? - But what does it say??

:: from Bullette at 6:11 AM

Pop Drivel posted an insightful review of "The Secrets" and even dissected some lyric poetic patterns (iambic tetrameter) - Thank you!

:: from Bullette at 6:26 AM

Audio Scrobbler is a new service trying to match people with similar musical tastes. Or it builds a profile your musical tastes. Or a combo of that and more... it seems BULLETTE has made the ranks.

:: from Bullette at 6:13 AM

Bullette is getting truly international - welcome Thailand! The post that Siripong wrote is in Thai but I'm gambling that it is a good review. If anyone can translate I'd be interested in knowing the truth.

:: from Bullette at 6:00 AM

BULLETTE on the front page of Italian web news journal:



Bullette's first Italian review! - except I think Kataweb thinks I'm from New Jersey - but they compare a song to Fleetwood Mac - oh how I have enjoyed the slow boils of "Over My Head" and "Dreams".

:: from Bullette at 6:58 AM

Indie Surfer had this to say: "What to think about the newcoming bands trying to promote their music by offering their releases on the net free of any charge. Personally, I think it's smart and makes much sense. And Bullette did just that. They offered their debut release - The Secrets on their web page with included lyrics and a promoting poster. All you should do is to take it and listen to it. And you should really do it. The music that Bullette creates is warm and gentle. Ambiental and acoustic sounds with a beautiful voice of a lead singer make the journey through The Secrets pleasant and joyful. I look forward to their new release."

:: from Bullette at 6:52 AM

búscate un novio had nice things to say in Spanish. "..."compositora y multi-instrumentista de gran talento, bullette ha mimado su primer disco (le ha dedicado tres años) hasta convertirlo en una joya que escapa a la tiranía de las tendencias y puede ser disfrutado por cualquier persona desprovista de prejuicios y con buen oído musical." - translation available now via Bullette's Father

Tuwa's Shanty also gave 2 cents.

:: from Bullette at 6:09 AM

Over-exposed?? I think not but I guess any press is good press if it brings a few visitors to check out the music. I hope that blog/zines don't discount BULLETTE just because the songs have gotten a little attention.

:: from Bullette at 6:33 AM

Uncommon Folk has an eloquent review which in part states, "The Secrets is built in a prog-folk tradition that Bullette may have just invented all by her beautiful lonesome. Prog because the record brings in all styles but while it sometimes melds them, it also throws them at you one after another, like a wonderful maze. Folk because you can tell that stripped down, inside her heart, Bullette bleeds folk, both in her words and music." - entire review here

Uncommon Folk’s Josh Honn is also featured in a timely article by Playlist entitled "Audioblogs making a joyful noise - MP3 bloggers deliver new music to the masses".

:: from Bullette at 6:46 AM

Thank you I'm a Cuckoo for your hopeful prediction of BULLETTE's future ("Assuming the attention keeps piling on, I can imagine a day when people will look back at Bullette's sudden success as a landmark in rock history [emphasis mine!]. Time will tell.") I can't find your email on your site to do so personally so I'll shout it out here.

:: from Bullette at 6:40 PM

251 downloads of the .zip verson of "The Secrets" in 2 days (all of June). Add this to the 769 downloaded in May and what do you get?? OVER 1000 downloads not counting individual song downloads or songs hosted on other sites! (okay you perfectionists: 1020)

:: from Bullette at 6:31 PM

Craig from Songs:Illinois reviewed "The Secrets" and thought Little Bird was "brilliant"! Thank you.

THE MORNING NEWS has BULLETTE as a link in their HEADLINES stating, "It will take you to an extraordinary place"! Thank you.

Crackers United reviewed "The Secrets" and compared me to Françoise Hardy and Syd Barrett! Thank you.

It's really great getting kudos from blogs and webzines that I like right back and read frequently. Again I need to thank the Mystical Beast and Spoilt Victorian Child for first responding to my request for a review and getting this snowball rollin'.

:: from Bullette at 6:47 AM

3 new blog posts about BULLETTE -
Said the Gramophone, Acousticwoodlands, and Blindheit all had something nice to say.

:: from Bullette at 3:16 PM

2 more ways to get BULLETTE songs (besides this site and myspace.com/bullette and blogs) - you can download or stream and discover other new bands:

http://music.download.com/bullette/ - You've used this download.com to get the latest spyware remover - they have an entire music download section with plenty of free and legal songs.

http://www.hellthy.com - Hellthy: Indie Rock/Pop - Hellthy Entertainment is a podcast/ MP3 Blog/ Online Radio Station / Free MP3 Hybrid highlighting great music from around the web.

:: from Bullette at 6:28 AM