Michelle Lee On Air 
“Jubilee” is an Absolutely Amazing piece of work sharing a strong and bold message. Becky Buller has definitely stepped out of her comfort zone to help others understand and embrace the process and importance of handling depression – to knock the stigma. Her new album “Jubilee” transports you to a place through a journey you may have never felt before with beautiful sounds but also haunting ones. The music symbolizes the journey of life how one never knows what the next moment/day holds. When you reach the end of the album the sound of accomplishing the goal of reaching Jubilee is profound.
The album was designed as a song cycle, meant to be listened to as sequenced and in its entirety. Below is a bit of my intake on the songs as I listened to “Jubilee,” but I honestly cannot wait for you to hear it in its entirety.
Kismet – first of all, if you are unaware, kismet can describe as a power that determines the course of future events, or how one may experience a bad outcome. In my mind, Kismet is a great example how many things can go on in one’s mind, heart and/or life. So many things can be happening while one is “just going through the motions”.
Woman – great description of the “woman” behind this awesome project. Like most artists, she has a message to tell through her sounds and words, but this time is a little different. Battling from deep within her mind, heart and soul, Becky is sharing her story so others may relate, understand its ok and seek the help they need to overcome the barriers. “Don’t mind the woman behind the words, although she is aching to be heard.”
Jubilee – Life gives you small little breathers once in a while (tiny breaks from everything) and gives you a small sense of relief/hope. You find yourself hoping and wishing for that feeling of complete happiness and sense of no worries. Desiring that country drive with the windows down and wind through your hair kind of feeling.
Spiral – During the beautiful up and down journey through life the hustle bustle, negativity and hardship one can endure can drag a person into a downward spiral. Then to add onto the unknown place, a pandemic and lock down occurred adding much more unknown onto it all.
Alone – The song gives an excellent feeling of how it can feel with everything and anything weighing you down at one time, driving you to the breaking point. Being a person that inspires to prove themselves constantly to others can becoming overwhelming at times. It can also cause a feeling of loneness and questioning, “is it because I don’t want to admit I need help”?
Descent – a mirror interpretation of that gloomy and dark place where one doesn’t know what to do or where to go but finding that little spark to continue can be the starting point.
Whale – beautiful song that tells a story of how something so big can take over ones’ life but accepting the guidance and help from others, the spiral can be redirected upward, and YOU can be on the road to happiness again!
I want to personally thank Becky for creating such a project. Over the years Mental Health has been looked at in many different ways and has created a stigma that needs to be broken. Mental Health affects everyone in some way, whether it is themselves or a loved one. Personally, experiencing heartache from a loved one dying from suicide and working in the healthcare field for years, I am happy to see the walls of the Mental Health Stigma being knocked down. Please see below for lines of help.
After talking with Becky, she wanted to share, “I have no idea what battle you’re fighting nor what you believe, but that doesn’t keep me from praying for you right now and going forward. I pray you would know how loved you are, how important you are to the people who love you, and the One who created you. I pray you would reach out for help.”
All songs and instrumentals, with exception of the title track, were written by Becky Buller. The title track, “Jubilee” was co-written with Grammy award winner Aoife O’Donovan. During part of her darkest times, God worked in his amazing way and had these two wonderful and talented women cross paths.
The music was created by Becky Buller and her band:
Becky Buller: vocals, fiddle, cello banjo
Jacob Groopman: vocals, guitar
Daniel Hardin: vocals, bass
Wes Lee: mandolin
Ned Luberecki: banjo
Aoife O’Donovan (Yep Roc Records): vocals
The album was commissioned by the FreshGrass Foundation and originally debuted at the FreshGrass Bentonville, AR, festival in 2023. Mixed by Stephen Mougin at Dark Shadow Recording in Goodlettsville, TN.
Make sure to visit https://beckybuller.com/ for tour, music, and all other merch!
RESOURCES:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US only)
Text HOME to 741741 Crisis Text Line (US only)
Befrienders Worldwide – https://befrienders.org/
Open Counseling – https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/
Strength To Stand Counseling – https://stscounseling.org/
American Association Of Christian Counselors – https://aacc.net/
Written by: Marsha Channell
