Doug Blank
Gig Seeker Pro

Doug Blank

Cuero, Texas, United States | SELF

Cuero, Texas, United States | SELF
Band Rock

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"A man, a stage and an acoustic guitar Doug Blank hopes to release debut album by the year's end"

* Aprill Brandon •
* Originally published July 8, 2009 at midnight, updated July 9, 2009 at 4:10 p.m.

*

For more information on Doug Blank or to hear his music, go to www.myspace.com/dougblankproject.

Victoria has long had a reputation as a cover band town, but recently, several local musicians and bands have been striking out on their own and releasing all original albums.

Doug Blank is no exception. The Cuero-native has been playing in bands since he was 14 but recently struck out on his own as a soloist. Just back from a 10-day whirlwind recording session in Hollywood, Blank is hoping his debut album will be released by the end of this year.

"I've been in bands a long time, but I never had the creative power I wanted. I wasn't good enough at guitar to have the creative power I wanted. But I knew I had something good, good lyrics and good music and so I decided to do it all on my own," the 24-year-old musician said.

With eight songs written already, he recorded four rough tracks while in Hollywood at the L.A. School of Recording and is hoping to have at least 10 songs for the completed album.

"So far, I've been getting good feedback from people on the songs, although you always have a few people who are, well, jerks," he said. "But I like what I've done and I'm proud of these songs."

Friend Sarah Rabke, 24, has long been a fan of Blank's music and isn't surprised at the positive feedback he's received for his solo work.

"He's a great writer and writes music that you won't hear anywhere else," she said. "His music really stands out and for a while, he was the only one doing this sort of acoustic music in town. He's just so soulful; you can hear the soul in his voice and when he's performing you just look at him and think 'how is this kid doing this stuff?'"

Blank's talent extends beyond his musical abilities. Fan and friend Skylar Spence said it's also his stage presence that blows people away.

"You can feel his music all through your body and when you look at him on stage, you can tell that he feels it, too," Spence said. "I've taken friends to his shows before and they're always amazed. He has a fresh beat and already sounds like a more established musician. He puts a lot of time and effort into his music and I think it's going to pay off."

When asked to describe his sound, Blank laughs a bit and pauses.

"Acoustic Billy Idol, maybe? It's raspy and raw. It's rock 'n roll, but more in how it feels than how it sounds," he said. "It's me with an acoustic guitar, but I want you to forget it's an acoustic guitar. I try to mimic a full band with just one instrument."

Also the lead singer for Corpus Christi-based band Stringer, Blank is working on his music full time, with some odd jobs thrown in here or there. Yet, his goal is not to become some MTV sensation or even to be launched into super stardom. It's just to play music full time.

"I just want to make a career out of this. I've wanted to play music since I was in fourth grade and I haven't wanted anything else," he said. "I just want everyone to enjoy my music, take it for what it is and to give it a chance." - Victoria Advocate


Discography

Black Flame E.P.

Photos

Bio

25 year old Doug Blank was born in the small Texas town of Cuero. Not one to take easily to conformity and tradition, Doug was found to always be on the opposing end of the southern town’s conservative and religious nature. He was routinely getting reprimanded by both church and school, and it was with through the feeling of repression from these two factions that Doug sought expression and solace in music. Drawing heavily from the influences of the south, with its soul and mystery, Doug led bands such as Stringer and Wink and the Gun with unmatched stage presence and expressive passion. Now, having played in bands for over ten years, Doug draws from his past experiences to make up his most personal project, his solo work.