Still Searching for that Toothbrush.

A couple weeks ago I opened my e-mail and got a very nice note from a site called CD Baby.  

"You're EP Blue Toothbrush is now available for download."  Whoooo hoooo!!  I was so excited.  I emailed former co-workers and friends to tell them the exciting news! I talked to my sister for a hour on the phone and day-dreamed out-loud about what would happen when the internet came upon my little creation, "Blue Toothbrush."  I spent the rest of the evening obsessively checking my sales on CDBaby and looking at Music Page 'likes' on Facebook waiting for the moment when my EP would be caught up in an internet wild-fire- frenzy!!  

Unfortunately, at the end of that first day, five people had bought my cd.  I couldn't sleep.  Five?  Really??  I mean really,...FIVE?!?   I was pretty sure I knew who those five people were too: Mom, Sis, my buddy Adam, and me. (I just wanted to buy it so I knew everything was working on the site,....and ya know, gotta support my own product ,right??)   Okay, so there was one mystery 'Blue Toothbrush' fan my first day of sales.   Thanks for the sale, whoever you are.  

That night, I didn't want to go to bed feeling bad about my special project.  It was five songs I had put so much of my heart into!  I decided I would stay up and journal about why I made the EP in the first place.  I realized a few things: 

I started writing songs as an outlet to say how I really feel.  I made Blue Toothbrush because I could do it when I wasn't acting, and I had creative control over the project.   Singing songs just feels good.   I made 'Blue Toothbrush' because when I sang my songs for friends, including my collaborator, C-Rad, those friends said they felt something and they wanted to hear them again and again.  I made 'Blue Toothbrush' for those friends who asked for the songs.  Through the process, I realized I loved songwriting almost as much as acting....That is HUGE!!  I didn't know I could fall in love again! 

As the days went on, I've picked up a few more sales here and there.  On set, I handed out hard copies to all my co-workers at The Walking Dead.  I got together with my friend and collaborator, Conrad and we made some packages to send to people in the music industry.  I started to plan a show with my guitar-playing friend Simon and he said, "This stuff is so great!  What a great start!"   I got notes from people who had checked it out asking, "Hey ,one time you sang this other song at a benefit....Are you gonna record that too?"  Well, I sure would like to record some other songs.  

Another person asked, "When can I hear you sing live?"  I've now come to realize this EP is not a final product, but just a beginning section of a whole new part of my life.  

Can you believe it Backstage Blogosphere??  So, so long ago I wrote my very first Backstage blog entry when I got my first Broadway job in Spring Awakening.  It was during Spring Awakening, I met one of my best friends and my 'Blue Toothbrush' collaborator, Conrad Korsch, while doing a Spring Awakening Christmas benefit concert!  Then, I took to the road with August: Osage County and told you I had bought a guitar and a notebook to keep company on the road.   And, now in between all the various acting gigs, I've created something I am so proud of:  'Blue Toothbrush.'

I hope you check it out!  I'm learning every day can be another try and another chance to build and create.  I just booked a show at Rockwood Music Hall on Dec. 19th at 8pm.  I'm calling it my 'Blue Toothbrush' EP Release show!  If you plan on going, send me a little note on here or on my website, and I'll be sure to let you know where the after-party is as well!  I'm so excited to celebrate this little creation with Backstage as they have been there through the whole process!

I thought looking for my blue toothbrush had come to an end, but now I see I'm just at the start of this adventure!  I'm still searching.

--  Emily Kinney

Where in the World is Emmy Kins Update:  Still hanging in Georgia working hard on this awesome TV show!  Wish I could tell you more about what I'm doing, but it's all so top secret!!  I had no idea this summer I would be making such a home at the Wyndham Hotel...! 

(Photo by Corey Hayes)

 

Comments

[Kathleen Sauer]

Congratulations on "Blue Toothbrush" Emily!
I love the song!
The video is adorable too for those who haven't seen it....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTV4H1s0NL4

I will buy the CD so i can hear the others too!
Keep us Updated!

[William 'Shaggy' Chrapcynski]

I happened to be watching the episode with you on Law and Order last night and I thought you looked a little familiar. So, did a quick Google search to see if I had seen you somewhere else. Well, that didn't seem to be the case but I did find out that you just released an album. I went to check it out and was quite surprised to find it wasn't the typical 'starlet' music that I usually here. I now have the songs sitting in my iTunes collection quite happily. Keep up the good work!

[anonymous]

i bought your album on itunes :) morning sex is for lovers is on repeat

[Andie]

You're awesome! I'm so happy for all the good things that have happened to you!

[Angela Sauer]

Just bought it! Congratulations, girlie! You sound terrific!

[Ethan Pew]

Woah! I've heard the demo of the song "Blue Toothbrush." I find the lyrics to be quirky, fun, carefree and also honest. It's going to be my last song syndrome. "Have you seen my blue toothbrush.. I left it near the bathroom sink." :-)

[clear braces San Diego]

Good article, I read full article & found it very interesting. Thanks for sharing it.

[Chris]

Will your CD be available on CDBaby again? I desperately want it. I prefer physical copies over digital copies. I am in love with your voice (and the rest of you) and I don't even care if that sounds creeper/stalkerish.