The Castle Sessions
Track 1: “How to Bleed”

"How To Bleed (Castle Sessions)," an acoustic reimagining of the title track from his latest full-length album. This intimate version brings a new depth to the song, showcasing Chris's soulful vocals and intricate guitar work. Recorded in the serene ambiance of the Castle Studios in Franklin, TN, this track not only highlights Bullinger’s past achievements but also paves the way for his future, as he prepares to release a bold slate of new material this year.

the new record HOW TO BLEED is out everywhere!

While the opening track “Roll Your Own,” is excellent it’s the second one “Up On Blocks,” that is superb. This is the stuff that gets into your ear & sticks there like bubble gum in your hair. The guitars are wonderful with their spikey notes & Chris’ Louis Armstrong gone rock showcase. …

The songs are all well-conceived, rocks pretty good & the music is proficient though recorded a little spare (may have been intended that way). It doesn’t play a big role since the center of the compositions is Chris’ precise raw vocals.” …

The [album] as a whole is diversified, vivid & easily holds the attention of a listener. No condiments in these tunes, it’s a cake that is served up like coffee cake, or pound cake – it doesn’t need sugar coating or frosting.

John Apice’s review in Americana Highways

 Chris on “Up On Blocks”

“This story ends about the way it begins with a slightly different attitude, which — like in life — makes all the difference.

Where I’ve been, the way I see it, every Trans Am is up on blocks. Every Corvette. Every Cadillac. Everyone’s hopes and dreams and aspirations. And for whatever reason, they’ll rust there forever while folks maneuver around town and through life in something a little more conventional and normal. And maybe it’s just pride that keeps ‘em there because as long as they’re up on blocks, there’s no failure, only potential.

But sometimes ya gotta put ‘er on the road and see if she rolls.”

About Chris Bullinger

In the second grade, Chris Bullinger was told that he couldn’t sing. But Chris doesn’t like being told what he can’t do. He began writing poetry at a young age and songs sometime thereafter. Born and raised in the Midwest, Chris has lived here and there and now spends a lot of time in Nashville and Asheville. His musical influences include Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, and Steve Earle.

 Chris on How To Bleed

Like my previous record, True Rendition, How To Bleed was born during evenings (that sometimes turned into early mornings) hanging out around a fire pit in a backyard, drinking, smoking, and playing guitar with my co-producers, friends, and musical wizards Harrison Luna and Josh Halper. The three of us call these sessions firehangs, and that’s where the songs began to take on the sound we eventually recorded in the The Bomb Shelter studio in East Nashville, Tennessee. How To Bleed is the second record of “The Bomb Shelter Trilogy,” as I’ve come to call this batch of work.

I wanted to make a rock album. But then I heard rock died a while ago.  So I made a hard americana album instead.

Lou Reed made an album a while back with just two guitars, a bass, and a drum. Strange to think that that was a crazy concept. His point was: what else do ya really need? Agreed. That’s what we did on How to Bleed.