Recording artist and Lilith Fair performer Bonet is a former member of the "house band" for the "Mountain Stage" radio show. Her main instrument is the violin, but she also picks this mandolin, which, she writes, "is called a Bradley. It's a cheap copy of a Gibson which was made many years ago for Veneman Music in Washington, D.C. I've had it for many years and it's stuck by me through many a gig! It holds its tuning just fine, and can take much abuse. The pickup is a Barcus-Berry. They gave me a really big endorsement for their violins last year, and included the pickup in the package for me to try. It sounds just fine. (I've played Barcus-Berry violins exclusively for my entire professional career.)"
     Deni's new album, Bigger Is Always Better, is getting considerable attention in Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East, where it's been released on Yukon Records. In the United States you can order it online through her Web site. The album features guest appearances by Robyn Hitchcock, Soft Boys and Katrina & The Waves' Kimberley Rew, Steve Holley of Wings, and Patti Smith's bass player Tony Shanahan. Here's a RealPlayer video clip of Deni with her mandolin.