Telling On Trixie

New York City band Telling on Trixie centers on vocalist Derek Nicoletto alongside guitarists Brad Small and Tommy Kessler, bassist Matt Aronoff, and drummer Andrew Frawley. In 2006 Nicoletto, whose father Tony Nicoletto had drummed for the Turtles, teamed with Small once their earlier funk outfit Trixie’s Itch disbanded. Kessler, previously a member of the Blue Man Group, Aronoff, already performing with Sandra Bernhard, and Berklee College of Music alumnus Frawley then completed the lineup, steering the group toward soul-infused power pop. Producer Jamie Siegel guided the sessions for the self-titled debut, issued in 2007; its lead single “Halfway Back to Sane” was accompanied by a clip starring America’s Next Top Model participant Jade Cole, while “Orion’s Light” later showcased a guest appearance by Project Runway’s Jack Mackenroth. Work on a follow-up album commenced the next year.