July 14, 2004..... Bastille Day!

Hello. Black tape for a blue girl's 9th album - HALO STAR - will be released
August 31; that's only seven weeks from now!!! I've been very busy getting
prepared for the release; but here's a preview for all of you on OF THESE
REMINDERS to assure that you get the "inside information" from us, before you
see it in other places.

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Projekt is currently organizing West Coast and East Coast shows.
http://www.projekt.com/projekt/live.asp
will be updated as shows are confirmed....
A sneek peek for OF THESE REMINDERS members:

Wednesday (Sept 8) - Tucson - Club Congress
Saturday (Sept 11) - Los Angeles - BarSinister
Sunday (Sept 12) - San Diego - Brick by Brick
Tuesday (Sept 14) - San Francisco - DNA LOUNGE
Thursday (Sept 16) - Seattle - VOGUE
Saturday (Sept 18) - Portland - SABAL'S
Monday (Sept 20) - Salt Lake City - AREA 51

more to be announced very soon....

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I have been working on the webpages for HALO STAR.
You can check out the cover graphics and listen to 45 second MP3s
from the album here:
http://www.halostar.us/

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You can purchase the "Tarnished" CD-single from Projekt here:
http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00155
You can also follow the link on that page to iTunes and purchase the
songs digitally!

Speaking of digital downloads, if all goes as planned, HALO STAR will
be available from iTunes on August 31, making the "digital street
date" the same as the retail release.

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I have been interviewed for upcoming issues of Gothic Beauty, Zillo
(Germany) and Ritual (Italy)


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"HALO STAR is brilliant! Bret Helm's vocals are mesmerizing, pulling
me in with every delicious note. This is what I have been waiting to
hear from Black Tape all along, I just never knew it until now." -
Gothic Beauty Magazine


I have been receiving really really amazing feedback to HALO STAR,
both from press people and from friends and fans who have heard the
material. Our friend Akane has been working on a review for the next
issue of Beneath the icy floe, and she writes: "This is an album that
puts the songcraft before the soundscape, and the result is a much
sleeker, sparser creature. We have an album that captures the energy
and spirit of the band's live shows. HALO STAR is a powerful album
that will both surprise fans and exceed all expectations. Not only
their best to date, this album takes a massive leap forward in
breaking Black Tape for a Blue Girl out of its ethereal niche and
establish them as one of the best goth bands active today."


HALO STAR band line up:
Bret - Elysabeth - Michael - Lisa - Vicki - Sam


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An interview questions.....

Q: Based on the feel of the songs and lyrics, it would be easy to
infer that there is a central 'concept' to the whole album. Is this
pure assumption?

A: I really don't want to explain this album, because it has been
very interesting to hear the way people are interpreting my lyrics.
When I was writing the album, I was staying away from making a
connecting line through every song -- and expecting the listener to
follow it. But now that I am stepping away from the creation, a bit,
I do see that there is more of a storyline then I expected. I am
still turning over in my mind who the characters are. There are
different interpretations, which I am very happy with. Even Bret,
Lisa and I were talking and realized we have different ideas of what
the songs are about, which is very exciting.


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SPEAKING OF LIVE SHOWS

Many of you saw us perform this May at Pianos in NYC and the Metro in
Chicago. It was a very strong set and we really appreciate the
enthusiastic response.... Here's some news that might come as a
surprise.

Because of other commitments, Lisa and Michael will not be in the
touring band (though both will continue to record with black tape for
a blue girl). Thus we bid a fond, tearful adieu to:

Michael Laird - currently busy with his band Unto Ashes, as well as
teaching graduate courses.

Lisa Feuer - on temporary hiatus from playing live to stay home and
take care of our two year old son, Sasha. Lisa is still involved in
recording and hopes to rejoin the live band again someday in the
future.



RETURNING FROM THE 2002 - 2004 LIVE BAND:

Bret Helm - vocals & acoustic guitar
Elysabeth Grant - vocals & viola
Sam Rosenthal (me!) - electronics

and we welcome:

Bart Helm - electric & acoustic guitar
Nicki Jaine - piano & acoustic guitar
J. DeWolfe - percussion


Those of you with a sharp eye for detail will note that Bret + Bart +
J = Audra! Yep, that's right.... 50% of the new live band = 100% of
Audra! Nicki is a darkwave artist from Philadelphia who we met at a
Middle Pillar Christmas Party last year.... I find it much easier to
bring people I know into the band (rather than finding people with an
ad in the newspaper) because "personalities" can be a big benefit or
big detractor to a live band. I prefer working with friends, because
I have a better grasp of their "Rock Star Status...." :-) and that
helps things gel. You remember many years ago that Elysabeth was
going to join the band as "just" the viola player, but she was so
talented and we got along so well that she transformed overnight
into our lead vocalist. She's now been with us for almost six years!

You can expect to hear about half of the HALO STAR album performed
live, as well as some old favorites including Elysabeth on "All my
lovers" and "Bastille Day" from The Scavenger Bride (I thought I
would tie that in, since today is - in fact - Bastille Day!)....

If you don't know about Audra and Nicki Jaine, learn more about them here:
http://www.audramusic.com/
http://www.nickijaine.com/


Finally.... Lisa and Michael are quite involved in HALO STAR, so it
will be a bit odd for me to be performing these songs without them. I
look forward to working with them both on future recordings....


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FORTUNE PRESENTS GIFTS
http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=BLR00062
Our version of Dead Can Dance's "fortune presents gifts not according
to the book" is now available on the Greek 2-CD compilation The Lotus
Eaters. The album also includes Faith and the Muse, Arcana, Ataraxia
and others. This is the only place the song is available, at this
time. It's quite expansive and features the vocals of Athan Maroulis.


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Ok. Gotta run.... I'm design the HALO STAR poster at the moment....
: )

Peace,
Sam Rosenthal


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--

Projekt PoBox 180235 Brooklyn, NY 11218-0235
http://www.blacktapeforabluegirl.com/

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