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Named "Best of 2007" AND "Best of 2008 (so far)" by MTV’s LOGO channel, Telling on Trixie is a New York City rock band created from a partnership of opposites- the introverted guitarist and the extroverted lead singer who bring out the best in one another to create something bigger than themselves. On their self-titled, debut album, you can hear the seamless result of two very different people joining together to create music with skill and passion – and it’s music that is already substantially impacting listeners. They are telling you that even the loudest of guys sometimes feels like hiding; even the shyest of guys can play rock music on huge stages for rowdy fans. And this February, they played live on Sirius Radio for 3 million listeners, their biggest audience to date.

Their exposure blossomed with their first video, for “Halfway Back to Sane,” featuring America’s Next Top Model star Jade Cole. The second video, for Orion’s Light, features Jack Mackenroth from Project Runway and was shot in Shanghai, China and Brooklyn. In June 2008, Derek hosts the New Now Next program on MTV LOGO in support of both videos. The debut album has spun on over 300 radio stations nationwide, ranging from Q104.3 FM in New York to several internet programs and podcasts.

Telling on Trixie is born from the partnership of lead singer Derek Nicoletto and guitarist Brad Small. Derek is the self-described “loudmouth” of the partnership, the one out front, promoting the band any way he can. Brad is the more introverted of the two, the one who keeps Derek’s flights of fancy grounded, the one who can talk about musical gear for hours, the one who’s guitar sets the musical tone for the band. But to simply label Derek as “loud” and Brad as “quiet” does not sufficiently tell the story. As Derek explains, “I look to Brad to keep me in check. I tend to go overboard and run myself down. He's really calm and can take things over while I recuperate. Also, sometimes it's better for him to talk to our bandmates in rehearsals because I tend to get in the way with ‘constant yapping.’” With the addition of Blue Man Group’s Tommy Kessler on lead guitar, Sandra Bernhart’s bass player Matt Aronoff and Andrew Frawley on drums, the band is now in the midst of writing their sophomore album, co-written by Nicoletto, Small and Kessler.



Derek grew up in a musical environment – his Dad was a drummer in the Turtles (“Happy Together”), but Derek shunned his father’s music and recalls fondly his first musical duet; singing the Barbara Streisand/Donna Summer disco classic, “Enough Is Enough” with his mother. (Derek sang the Streisand part.) Brad grew up in a different environment (his father was a financial advisor), but he too fell deeply in love with music (the first music he remembers impacting him was the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack and Kiss), with the Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix becoming musical touchstones for him. Tommy’s influences come from strong pop acts like Jimmy Eat World, where as Matt Aronoff gleans his inspiration from jazz. Andrew Frawley trained at Berklee College of Music and can be found playing tribal drums one night and at a prog rock concert the next.

Within the first six months of its existence, Telling on Trixie garnered the coveted title of Budweiser Premiere Band. "Dumb Boy" became a premiere track on Budweiser.com. Tommy Kessler brings several endorsements to the band, including: Jason Schroeder Hand Built Guitars, Seymour Duncan Pickups, Keeley Boutique Pedals, Peavey Amplifiers, Line 6 Effects, Electro Harmonix Effects and SIT Strings. Derek's footwear provided by Nike.

Following an exceptionally successful first year as an indie band, Telling on Trixie is calling themselves "A Band with a Plan," as they have devised a twelve-month plan to raise money for the creation and promotion of their next album and music video. Telling on Trixie fans and music lovers will serve important parts in the decision-making process through polls and forums on abandwithaplan.com. Furthermore, participants will have access to behind-the-scenes journals, videos and music and even the chance to perform for millions of people on the band's second album and next video. "Our Plan is perfect for people who always dreamed of working in the record industry or better yet, be in a rock band," said lead singer Derek Nicoletto. Telling on Trixie fans donating at any of the ten levels will have the opportunity to literally be "smack dab in the middle of the indie band experience," Nicoletto said. "Telling on Trixie fans tend to give us their opinion on everything from our clothes to our set list. So we thought -- let's get their input from the beginning and give them an insider's view of the process. Depending on the level they select, they'll be our label, our sponsors, our A&R and sometimes, guest stars in our video and album."

In 'A Band with a Plan', every penny goes to finance the album and video, and ensures they get heard and seen. And instead of just asking fans to donate, as some artists have done, we're inviting them to hop on board on our 'Little Engine that Could' and go with us on the ride." On September 30, 2008, the band reached their fundraising goal and commenced to record.

After awarding “Angels Fall and “Orion’s Light” with Honorable Mentions, Billboard Magazine’s Songwriting Panel said of Telling on Trixie, “Interesting themes and catchy grooves…the talent is obvious.”