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David Ullman

Sad Bastard Singer-Songwriter

About Me

DOG DAYS , the much-anticipated first full-length album from Northeast Ohio singer/songwriter David Ullman, finally reached an eager audience in February 2008. Most often cited for his poignant use of vocal dynamics and intimate portraits of love lost and (occasionally) found, Ullman delivered a debut that FREE TIMES music editor Jeff Niesel calls “exquisitely beautiful” and COOL CLEVELAND'S Peter Chakerian describes as “deep, dark and intensely rich.”
The 29-year-old Clevelander’s initial creative outlet was filmmaking, though pre-adolescent re-makes of biopics like LA BAMBA and THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY sparked his interest in music as well. “I started playing guitar at age eight by learning Buddy Holly songs—most of which are the same four chords,” he recalls. “Buddy Holly for me was what punk rock seems to have been for a lot of other musicians. You don’t have to be Eric Clapton to play along with The Ramones. That’s the way it was with me and Buddy Holly’s music. My dad taught me to play his songs, and I used to make tapes in my bathroom—overdubbing my voice like I’d seen in the movies. I also drew covers for the tapes based on other album sleeves that I’d seen, and gave them to my family for birthday gifts and such.”
In his early twenties, Ullman and a handful of friends formed a short-lived folk-rock quintet called STEVE . Songs such as “Start Anew” and “Unspoken,” both of which appear on DOG DAYS , were written during this time, and Ullman’s long-time friend, collaborator, and former Steve member Matthew Jackson designed the disc’s cover. Other carryovers from the group include Steve bassist Nick Robinson , who features on the final (unlisted) track of DOG DAYS , key contributors Sean Kammer (piano) and Logan Ramsier (drums), as well as the engineering expertise of (brother) Brian Ullman , who also plays lead and bass guitar on the record.
Ullman’s insistence upon the inclusion of these valued individuals turned the making of DOG DAYS into a three-year-process—during which time he refined the songs on stage, performing over 90 shows in 2007. “Why would I hastily make a plain ol’ voice-and-guitar record when my brother is a terrific producer and electric guitar player? It wouldn’t make any sense,” he explains. “My friends and I may not be the best musicians ever; but for me, we were the right musicians to realize this material. In my mind, it had to be these people. Even down to the name of the label that I established to release the CD—Dreaming Out Loud Records. For ten years now, Dreaming Out Loud ventures have involved these people. It’s about making dreams reality, and I was committed to waiting for these people and what they could contribute to these songs.”
Not only do the tracks on DOG DAYS invite listeners into Ullman’s life and relationships, but also into the homes of his family and friends through intimate recording sessions that took place in bedrooms, bathrooms, and basements. Or perhaps, we as listeners invite him into our living rooms and lives—to play his guitar on our couches and hang out in our kitchens.
Hearing Ullman’s music feels less like listening to a recording or attending a concert and more like sitting down with an old friend on a Friday night to rehash the rough day at work or the latest lovers’ quarrel. His honest and confessional style brings him a special kind of rapport with his audience. He gives voice to those universal fears that most of us prefer not to examine—fears that our relationships may not be the safe haven we once believed them to be.
Still, the music of DOG DAYS goes beyond the traditional break-up record. A hopeful message persists and shines through the adversity, and there’s a struggle to maintain and repair the relationship that hangs in the balance. Ullman’s shift from smooth and gentle—at times pleading—lyrics, to the explosive and emotionally charged heights that characterize both his songwriting and live performances draw us into the conversation, assuring us all that we have friends with whom to share our everyday struggles, ambitions and disappointments.
Currently maintaining a consistent concert schedule in and around Northeastern Ohio, Ullman is eager to travel to new cities. In the months ahead, look for him to branch out into new territories in support of his debut album and its forthcoming second single, a radio remix of “Secondhand,” which will be released along side several outtakes from DOG DAYS .

- T.M.Göttl , Summer 2008


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Promotional video for "Deja Vu" directed by Matthew Jackson & David Urbanic. Produced by Ship King Media, LLC (www.ship-king.com).
David Ullman on Random Acts of Music

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Member Since: 4/11/2006
Band Website: davidullman.net
Band Members: LIVE (SAD BASTARD) BAND:
Vocals/Acoustic Guitar - David Ullman
Lead Guitar - Brian Ullman
Bass - Jeff Gargas
Percussion & Keys - Brian Yost

album price
DAVID ULLMAN: Dog Days $12.97
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album price
DAVID ULLMAN: Deja Vu $6.97
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Orders sent by CD Baby - the fastest, safest, and easiest place to buy CDs online. You can also call 1-800-BUY-MY-CD to order by phone.DigStation - Indie Music Downloads

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Sounds Like: David Ullman’s music is at once poignant, intimate and fiercely intense. In outpourings of passion that are sometimes savage and other times delicate, Ullman sings brooding "sad bastard" songs with an underlying optimism. Ranging from a whisper to a roar, his soulful voice rises above the melodies plucked and pounded out on his guitar to deliver personal, candid, and insightful lyrics that linger with listeners long after his final note fades.

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Record Label: Dreaming Out Loud
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

BIRTHDAY show to feature Brian Ullman on FRIDAY, JULY 25TH

Friday is my 29th birthday, and I figured 'what better way to celebrate my than to sing to all of my friends?' On that evening, my brother Brian and I will take to the (small) stage at Sonnet's Café...
Posted by David Ullman on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:53:00 PST

May 2008: Live Dates, Studio Time and German Radio

Hi There,We're nearly a week into May, and I'm a little late with the updates. Already this month, I've had the pleasure of playing my last GTB showcase of the season, and on Sunday my brother and I p...
Posted by David Ullman on Tue, 06 May 2008 07:38:00 PST

April News Update

Greetings, hi and hello. Those of you who know me and my music best are well aware that I am not a man of few words. However, I'm going to give it a try here and attempt to present a much more stream...
Posted by David Ullman on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:20:00 PST

March News & Notes

Greetings,It's been a few months since I've had the chance to post a proper "News & Notes."2008 began with a whirlwind trip to Nebraska to master the DOG DAYSalbum. I did a lot of sitting around d...
Posted by David Ullman on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:46:00 PST

Please Come To My CD Release Concert

At long last, my long-time-coming, long-labored LP/CD DOG DAYS is finished! Having completed the Prepress and CTP Computer-To-Plate manufacturing processes (whatever they are), the first run of 1000 w...
Posted by David Ullman on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:04:00 PST

December News & Notes

It's the calm before the storm around here. All of the songs for DOG DAYS have been mixed, next month they will be mastered, and in February the CD will be available to the public! I'll be celebrating...
Posted by David Ullman on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:01:00 PST

November News & Notes

Greetings and Saultations, I'm afraid this month's post is a little light on content. I've got quite a lot of things cooking, but not much that is ready to be consumed just yet;) In regards to the imp...
Posted by David Ullman on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 12:38:00 PST

October News & Notes

Happy Fall Folks!   October is perhaps my favorite month of the year; and even though I'm composing this message in 82-degree-weather, soon the air will become crisp, the leaves will change color...
Posted by David Ullman on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:12:00 PST

September News & Notes

Hiya Folks,   As the summer season draws near its end, so too have the sessions for my long-promised (and long-labored) album. Barring any last-minute decisions, or re-consideratio...
Posted by David Ullman on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:00:00 PST

August News & Notes

Greetings One and All,Another month has come to a close, and a new one is about to begin.What can I report? I've been hard at work on the DOG DAYS record--singing myself hoarse in my old room at ...
Posted by David Ullman on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:53:00 PST