Week 21 - D-I-Y Poster Child: One-Eyed Doll

(This is Week 21 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself advice)  

Do It Yourself Poster Child

ONE-EYED DOLL

Gather around children… it’s story time.

Singing "New Orleans" at Stubb's 1/09

I was in Houston this past weekend visiting some friends, Hoot and Mandella, for my birthday. We were sitting around and Mandella was on her computer. She turns to me and asks. “Have you ever heard of One-Eyed Doll?”

Now, I’ve been singing the praises of One-Eyed Doll for the last 4 years. The band played my Birthday Bash at the Red Eyed Fly in 2008. Lead vocalist Kimberly Freeman’s jewelry was part of INsite’s Gift Guide in 2009. I picked their Break as one of my Top 10 Austin albums of 2010. I’ve seen them play many times, always talk highly of the band… and have even been a part of the show. But Mandella, whom I’ve known for over 20 years, never looked One-Eyed Doll up on my recommendation.

2/08 at Red Eyed Fly

No, no no... she heard about One-Eyed Doll from a Facebook friend of hers who is in Taiwan and fell in love with the song “You’re A Vampire.”

Seems this friend of hers had recorded a video of herself singing “You’re A Vampire” and that led Mandella to find the actual song and then to iTunes where she purchased several songs. (Note: I've posted the video at the end of this column).

So, it took someone living on the other side of the world to introduce my Houston friend to One-Eyed Doll, an Austin band.

That, my friends, is the power of promotion. When someone you don’t know is talking about you in a good way...that's skill. It something takes careful planning, a lot of work, some outside of the box thinking and a lot of luck for a DIY band to successfully promote themselves.

And One-Eyed Doll has done a lot of all of the above.

From AdventureQuest in 2010

Top 3 outside the box things Kimberly Freeman has done to promote One-Eyed Doll.

1. Has hand made most of her own merchandise.
2. Was the subject of a full-length rockumentary that was distributed for free via YouTube by David Jr which has over 17k views.
3. Was featured in the online game AdventureQuest with an in-game concert complete with a cartoon-version of herself.

Now, she’s done a metric-ton of other things for promotion, like record videos for fans on their birthday, sent personal thank you cards to people who have reviewed her music, used photos fans have taken in her promotional materials, made instructional videos, goofy videos, tug-at-heart-string videos, and just about any other kind of videos. She's got fans posting links to her music on photos of her on Flickr.  Most recently, she ended up in Revolver Magazine as one of the Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock. Yes, she's come a long way since I first saw her.

But, this whole article isn’t me just saying a whole bunch of good things about One-Eyed Doll. It’s a study on promotion. Learn from it.

If you’re trying to promote yourself, think about these things:

• What can you do that someone else has done in the past that’s worked?
• What can you do that nobody else has done?
• Are you taking advantage of ALL the free promotional places online?
• How else can you connect to fans? Have you thought about non-musical ways?
• Have you found ways for fans to be involved in your music?

 Until next week. Take care and stay warm.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/.

Just in case you didn't click the DavidJr. link, here's the Rockumentary.

Here's the video of Mandella's friend, Shannon Milligan, singing "You're A Vampire."

Sean Claes' Top Ten Austin Music Releases for 2010

The Top 10 Austin CDs I Listened to this Year

Those who have been following Notes From The Cubicle are aware that between September 2009 and September 2010 I took on a challenge to review one release from an Austin-based band a week for a year. At the end I reviewed 55 different CDs. Why 55? Well, there were 6 EPs in there and I count those as half an album. I have very strong feelings on EPs, which I discuss here (Click link).  

Anyhow. I thought since the year is wrapping up, I’d give you my Top 10 releases I reviewed this year. These are all Austin-based bands and I hope you have a chance to listen to each one at some point. I won’t explain my choices, but I’ll give you a link to the review which will do that for me. Also, if you’ve not heard that particular band, there’s a link to their site and, in most cases, a YouTube video of them playing live.

Now, this was a hard thing for me to cull down to just 10. I only review CDs that I enjoy, so every one of the 55 on that list is a keeper in my eyes. These are just representative of the ones that I find really, really stellar among really good CDs.

So, Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy this little ditty.

To see the reviews of all 55, visit this link - http://seanclaesdotcom.blogspot.com/2009/09/52-austin-cd-reviews-in-52-weeks.html

Listed in order of 10-1 with 1 being my favorite.

10. Bobby Bookout - Bobby Bookout

9. Eleven Fingered Charlie - Patterns

8. Lennon's Song - We Love, We Learn, We Grow

7. Trashy and the Kid - Songs In The Key of Blow Me

6. Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs of Love

5. The Jeremy Miller Band -  Way Too Fast

4. Ray Wylie Hubbard - A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is no C)

3. Terri Hendrix - Cry Till You Laugh 

2. One-Eyed Doll - Break

1. Dave Madden  - Open Eyed / Broken Wide

Dave Madden - Open Eyed

Dave Madden - Broken Wide

Thanks to all who make music for giving me the gift of hearing your craft. And thanks to all who read my musings for giving me a little home to share my thoughts and feelings.

God Bless you and keep you safe in 2011 and beyond.

Love,

Sean Claes

p.s. If you're interested, my new challenge for 2010-2011 is 52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice. Check it out and please give feedback.

DIY EXTRA - A few examples...

I thought I'd share a couple of examples of bands I think are doing it right... these folks are promotional engines... and it shows in the audience at their shows.

Here's some bands and what they're doing on YouTube to promote themselves and shows.

Example 1:
Austin's Full Service - October 23 @ The Parish promo video. They teamed up with Austin's Pizza for a show.... Pizza and music... at a place that sells beer. Eees good.


Example 2:
One Eyed Doll - The ROCKUMENTARY by DavidJr.com.
Talk about dedicated fans. DavidJr.com did a 1.5 hour documentary on this band. This is housed oh his page, but there's a lot of great promo videos on the Official One Eyed Doll YouTube.


Example 3:
Granger Smith - Americana music... with a nice shot of humor. This video is a great little video card for the 10th Anniversary of the Texas Music Chart. (There's a series of Ten Year cards on the TMC site but this one is the most original by far) I could spend a day watching the funny little clips he releases via his YouTube Page.


Example 4:
Fulton Read - This San Marcos/Austin band asked for fans to help them write a song... called "What's Been On Your Dirty Mind." I won't tell you which lyrics I wrote (I'm a family man! And I don't know if they used any.) It's on their YouTube Channel. They also give all their music away for free online at their Website.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/.

Week 31: One-Eyed Doll - Break

(Week 31 of my 52 Austin CD Reviews in 52 Weeks) 

“I did it for love. I did it because I knew you’d want it all someday. I did it for love. Murder was the only way.” – "Murder Ballad"

One-Eyed Doll

Break

Ever since I was turned on to One-Eyed Doll a few years ago by INsite’s Food Editor, Marsha Mann, I’ve loved seeing them live. It’s as much a theatrical experience as it is a rock show. One thing I’ve always been saddened by was the fact that their studio work really never stood up to the performances. With 2010’s Break One-Eyed Doll has finally turned in a studio recording that is as twisted, enchanting and real as their live show.

Break also introduces a new arrangement of One-Eyed Doll, from a two-piece guitar/drum set up to a three-member band. Kimberly Freemen (vocals/guitar) and PJ “Number Three” Evans (former drummer, now bass) are joined full-time by the album’s producer Jason Rufuss “Junior” Sewell (drums).

The first three tracks set the tone on the album. “Airplane Man” is an oddly radio-friendly offering that perked my ears up instantly. With “Beautiful Freak,” One-Eyed Doll proves just why they’ve gotten top honors as Austin’s Best Punk Band in the Austin Music Awards for the last two years. “Murder Ballad” is a disturbingly beautiful love song.

The guitar-driven kick-the-door-down One-Eyed Doll that people are accustomed to hearing doesn’t arrive on Break until the fourth song “See Jane Run.” Songs like the title track and “Suckerfish” also follow the band’s tried and true metal sound.

Of course, storytelling is always a big part of the live experience, and Break features a few personal journey songs. “Cinderblock” tells the story of a 10-year old girl essentially raising herself while dealing with an alcoholic father. And the live staple “New Orleans,” the true story of a boy dying in Freeman’s arms, has been captured well with a heartbeat-like rhythm behind it.  Then there’s the dark “Murder Suicide.”  The album ends with the six-minute epic ballad  “Resurrection.”

The song that is most out of place on the album is also the track that the album wouldn’t feel complete without. Anyone who’s seen OED live knows there’s a humor aspect to balance out the dark undercurrent that runs along most of Freeman’s lyrics. So, a tongue-in-cheek country song called “Redneck Love Song” provides the comic relief on Break. 

The title song is my favorite track. It’s a fitting song as “Break” is about coming into your own. No longer being confined by what is expected. “And I gave you silence. I gave you everything. And I’ll break my silence. I’m breaking everything. “ I have to admit, Break is not what I thought I was getting into when I popped the CD in. It’s much, much more.

The production-work by Sewell is great. Long-time fans may object that this album is “too polished” but I think it’s a wonderful representation of this band’s body of work. It’s real. That’s probably the most important thing. The songs are honest and on Break he was able to provide a professional recording without compromising the integrity of the songs.

This could be the album that introduces the rest of the world to One-Eyed Doll. All the pieces are in place. It very likely could, well, break the band.   Find out more about One-Eyed Doll by visiting their website at http://www.oneeyeddoll.com/. 

If you'd like to listen to or purchase Break (or any of the albums in One-Eyed Doll's discography for that matter), the price is up to you. They are inviting people to name their price for the downloads. Here's a link - http://music.oneeyeddoll.com/.

The one-and a half hour-long "Rockumentary" on One-Eyed Doll by DavidJr.com. It's worth the time.

INsite Night 1 for May:

Mike Truth & The Replacement Killers CD Release Party @ Red Eyed Fly






May 2, 2009



Mike Truth & The Replacement Killers (CD Release Show) - 12:15

One Eyed Doll (Coming Home Show)- 11:00

Naked Empire - 10:00

Sedium - 9:00

Stars Collide - 8:00



All Ages Show


Doors 7:30pm


$5 Adults

$8 Minors



Red Eyed Fly

Austin, Texas


CLICK THE POSTER BELOW TO GO TO A DO512.COM PAGE WHERE YOU CAN WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THIS SHOW.

Sean Claes Birthday Bash 2/9/08

INsite Managing Editor Sean Claes is turning 35 and we're celebrating with an all-ages show at Austin's Red Eyed Fly. Even if you don't know Sean from Adam (here's a hint... Adam will be the first guy playing at 8:30p.m.... Sean doesn't play piano) you are invited to see some of the best bands in Austin.

The line-up:

1. 12:30-Language Room:
   Winners of the Music Lab Battle of the Bands in December 2007
   
2. 11:30-One Eyed Doll
   Kimberley Freeman will surprise, interest, shock, hate, love, and entertain you... all in one song.
3. 10:30-The Banner Year
   2008 should be a banner year for The Banner Year. See them now. Ask me about "Monolith"
4. 9:30-Say When
   Bright, explosively energetic rock from Boston. Yes, Boston is invading Sean's Birthday show. It's OK.. Sean's been on the field at Fenway Park, he's made a snowman at Harvard... hell... his sister works at Harvard. Sean likes Boston. And, you will like Say When.
5. 8:30-Adam Donmoyer & The Naughty Bits
   R- Rated Alternative Lounge Music. Don't worry, he's not psycho. He's lonely and he only wants to talk. Yes, that is him outside your window.

In addition, the first 50 people in the door get a copy of the first INsite Compilation CD FREE.

Want a poster?