Rick Eberle has led an interesting dual life over the past two decades. Originally from Merrick, Long Island, he formed Iridesense with sister/bassist Tara, guitarist Rob Viccari and drummer Rich Drouin in 1993. In the 20-plus years since, the power-pop group has had music placed into a bunch of MTV and Nickelodeon shows, been featured on Z100 and Q104.3, and gigged alongside Sugar Ray, Taking Back Sunday, Lucinda Williams, and Tower Of Power. But over a decade ago, Rick repositioned himself as a top New York publicist, currently heading up Rick Eberle Publicity & Entertainment Promotions.
In honor of his upcoming 40th birthday, Rick is combining his two fields – music and publicity – and celebrating at a pair of Iridesense gigs. Taking place on Jan. 22 at Arlene’s Grocery (95 Stanton St.) and Jan. 23 at The Space in Westbury, both gigs will close with an after-party. On behalf of Downtown, I had the opportunity to talk to Rick about both of those professional lives of his and plenty more. Ultimately, his responses lead me to wonder when the guy finds time to sleep, given that he’s the father of three and frequently traveling to see clients.
In the meantime, Iridesense can be tracked online at www.iridesense.com, while Rick’s clients can be found at www.rickeberle.com.
You were always known within the Long Island music scene as both as a musician and a marketing person. When did you realize the need to promote and not just create?
Rick Eberle: From the beginning! I always knew that in life, having blind ambition and a never-ending drive to succeed is paramount to achieving the goals you set out for yourself. I worked unilaterally as a musician and promoter since day one, because I wanted to keep control of the message we were putting out there both as a band and for me professionally as to not let someone else tell my story.
Being that go-between for the band basically helped jump start my career as a publicist as well — many of the same people I do business with today know me first as a musician pitching them about my music. I’m trying to bring some of that back and show our newer contacts and clients some of the goods in 2016 too. As a publicist and agent, I have always tried to be the first in line, the first e-mail in the morning, the first phone call, the squeaky wheel if you will. There are a lot more no’s and indifference than there are positive results in this business, and at the end of the day it all comes down to perseverance and determination.
These days, do you view yourself as a musician that works as a publicist? A publicist that works as a musician?
R: These days, I’m a publicist first. That’s how I make my money and make my mark. I have become more well-known and successful as a promoter than as a musician and that’s okay by me. For now.
Do you know of any other publicists that have an interest side career? Others that are also musicians?
R: Off the top of my head, I can’t name anyone specifically. From my experience, most people I have met who are agents, managers, publicists and the like are frustrated artists of some sort, and working with other artists as a career helps make them feel whole. I’m part of that group, as I couldn’t imagine never playing again, but I really love what I do now as well.
I recently worked with you to set up coverage of the Long Beach International Film Festival and the Gold Coast International Film Festival. Who are some of your other clients these days?
R: We work with many venues, artists, actors, brands and others on activation campaigns and strategic business development initiatives. Specifically, I have a lot of fun working on the United Ink Tattoo Conventions as well as the EternalCon/WinterCon Pop Culture Conventions, the NY Guitar Expo and the Best Wings NY and Beerfields events, which all happen annually or more often. On the film side, we also just worked with producers Sibyl Santiago and Mel Brooks on Mel’s son Nicholas Brooks movie Sam, which screened as part of the Soho Film Festival — which I also worked for — and also at AFI in Los Angeles.
A few other clients of note…IndiMusic TV — which is the number one independent music video network on the planet, getting 10 million unique visitors a month — and SX Liquors, who have exploded on the U.S. market with their premium spirits and recent partnership with R&B superstar Trey Songz. Other items of note – our TV segment “Rick’s Rising Stars,” which is produced by My Long Island TV and airs on Verizon Fios1, has aired over 100 episodes of the best in local area talent and has been renewed for another season. We are really excited for our new partnership with Complete Production Group, who have offices on Melrose Ave in LA too! Lots going on.
Who was the first client you ever had as a publicist?
R: Good question. My three longest running clients are Club Loaded, who I have been working with since The Downtown closed back in 2005 through their different venues and music related businesses, All Music Inc, the top guitar store and music school on Long Island, and Gold Coast Arts Center, who produced the Gold Coast Int’l Film Festival as well as incredible year-round programming and classes in music, theater and other arts including art exhibits and more. I can honestly say without these core clients to get me going, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Where did the idea come from to celebrate your 40th birthday with a pair of gigs?
R: My stupid mouth. As a promoter, what better opportunity to get everyone I know together to meet and network? My favorite type of PR is event-based PR. Everyone — including me — needs a time a date and a place handed to them to make any sort of decision, so I’m taking some of the guesswork out of your social calendar! Let’s dance.
What should be expected from those birthday events? Any chance of cake?
R: And you know this, man. Gluten-free, of course.
Is there anything you haven’t yet accomplished within the music world that you still hope to?
R: For sure. I just feel like a guy blessed enough to work in the business I love. Getting some more songs on TV shows or a radio hit as a writer would be neat, and I want to keep hiring and growing my company leaps and bounds this year…so lots more to do.
What keeps you based on Long Island all these years later? Are there parts of Long Island that you wish more city people knew of?
R: No, Long Island sucks. Believe the hype. Don’t come here. (laughs) Actually I LOVE Long Island. Perfect place to raise a family. Suburbia USA. When the kids have grown, I’ll be headed back to Long Beach.
There are actually tons of business on Long Island, you just have to know the right places to look. Granted, I spend a lot of time in New York City and L.A. and Nashville and Dallas and wherever the need brings me — I love to travel.
When you’re not busy with your career or music, how do you like to spend your free time?
R: Playing with my three sons or on an adventure with my wife and kids somewhere.
Finally, Rick, any last words for the kids?
R: Stay in school! Just say no! Happy happy joy joy!
-by Darren Paltrowitz
