- (sighs) I, uh,
we just, like, the worst weeks of shows, and, um,
I don't know what else to do.
I tried to order our tour for September and October,
and that's about half filled,
but I still have plenty of time to go,
and I'm just worried that I won't be able to order it.
And even if we order it, then what?
Then we continue on another tour
and other tours, and only this fear
that we will never, 10 years from now,
we will never be one step closer
to where we are now for, I don't even know.
I don't even know what success looks like,
like, if it is a recording contract
or can only play for more people.
Feel like I'm building this thing.
I feel it's just, like, right where, like,
my heart is like, on my chest.
It just feels like it's just constricting
and that (sigh), I'm not (sighing).
(Camera crackling)
- Nobody knows who you are,
and you just try to make a name for yourself.
- And we are still young and stupid and don't know what the tour means.
- You know, I think people think that you only,
like, partying all the time--
- Yes, people think you're on vacation.
- We can't build a fan base
if we don't return more than once a year.
- When they ask for two hours worth of music,
they want background music.
- Yes, that--
- And we are not a background music band.
- I, I'm a dime a dozen.
- I never got to the point
where do I think I can really do it.
- You know, when it's done, it's just
You feel that, it's a little bit high.
- That I was on the road between five and six months
from straight years.
- I hope it's the phase, why isn't this phase?
- We wake up and everyone enters,
and I'm like, "Whoa, everything are these people here to see us?"
- The best is, like,
people begin to identify with it.
- There is no stage, there without ego, no persona.
- Because I'm not right in the head,
and I can handle it.
- Music is amazing (laughs), is a very beautiful thing.
- I don't understand, and at the same time,
it only reinforces again
that we never know if we enter.
(piano boom accent)
(piano that is fun but a little dramatic)
Since 2010, Elizabeth and I have toured
throughout the United States, trying to make a name
for ourselves as a Pocket Vinyl band.
We don't have a manager, no booking agent,
no press, no driver, no merchant.
There are no people outside of us.
No doubt, that's the hardest job I've ever had.
We have experienced many great adventures and many are terrible.
Don't get me wrong, that's amazing,
but the tour can destroy you emotionally if you are not careful.
People often ask us why we keep doing it and how.
This is a difficult thing answer and I'm not very sure I even know the answer,
but instead of trying to tell you,
we think we will try to show it to you.
For one full year, we filmed everything we could about our lives on the road
and interviewed many people musicians we met along the way,
all try to make a living by playing music.
My name is Eric Stevenson, and this is his life
from a small, independent musician it seems.
(Driving rock music)
♫ Speak if you want to talk, I don't
♫ That puts numbers on every soul
♫ You never mind, because I always give up ♫ And I tend, but never
♫ No, it's never enough and even though you
♫ And even though you say what you mean
♫ Well, I found your criticism ♫ The opposite of wisdom ♫ And even though you say what you need
♫ I'm sure it's nothing
♫ More like light than creatures ♫ That feeling is very alone
♫ Like God hangs up
Hi.
Ready for the Vinyl Pocket show?
Good, I think you really like it.
It's right in your alley.
(Flow, dramatic piano)
Pocket Vinyl is just us both.
I slammed the piano and sang
while Elizabeth painted a work on the stage,
we auctioned
to the highest bidder at each show.
We got married in 2011, and since then,
has made it go being a full time artist.
We have played more than 500 shows in 46 states,
and released four albums as and several EPs and singles.
We often describe us music as a piano slam rock,
mostly because a lot of it is I slamming the piano
as hard as I can and the lyrics scream
about death, mental disease, and finding God
in times when you doubt the most,
but it's not sad, really.
At least that shouldn't be.
Elizabeth's paintings are the real stars of the show.
The work is always the only one,
never repeat images on stage.
I know I'm clearly biased,
but I think they always amazing and beautiful pieces.
I sometimes sing offkey, but Elizabeth has never had a bad show.
♫ On my wall, and not fire, gun, sword, catapult
♫ Or dagger or spear ♫ Can remove the object from here
(Dramatic rock music with a piano that flows)
♫ When I step out
♫ I was welcomed by
♫ A certain green color tells me
♫ It's okay
♫ Because when it's a belt, everything goes quickly
♫ Collective voice from all cattle eat
♫ Grass tells me
♫ That we will defeat our enemies ♫ And I will make the first punch
(rustling of the camera)
January 1 (chuckles).
- Oh yeah, I forgot.
- (Chuckles) It's time to start the film!
(sighs) Ready to go?
- Do you lock the door?
- [Eric] Yes. - Are you sure?
- [Eric] Yes. - Do you lock the gate?
- [Eric] Yes. - And the cellar is locked?
- [Eric] Yes.
- OK, I'm ready to go.
- [Eric] Let's do it. - OK.
- Okay, so we get all of our equipment.
We pack all our clothes, we have food boxes full of food.
Uh, we fell asleep bag, we have a computer.
We have our address list, right, for all places?
- [Elizabeth] Uh, yeah.
- And this and the iPod are full.
Toiletries, all--
- Uh, I packed toiletries,
so I assume you put it in the car.
- Yes, towel, you bring a swimsuit
for whatever reason?
- Yes, of course, right?
- Yes
I think we are fine.
- Great.
- [Eric] One of the more general questions
how about musicians about this lifestyle,
How do you order all these events?
How do you do it?
To be honest, this is very similar to this.
When you are not really on the road,
being a musician pretty much work at the table.
This sends an email after emailing to the bar,
coffee shop, art gallery, community room,
and other places that might have a stage.
Every 10 emails you send, You might get it back,
two if you're lucky, and you're even luckier
if the response returns, "Yes, you can play here."
Just sitting in front of a computer
with patience and perseverance.
(pleasant rock music muffled)
You know how bored your feelings are at this time
with how long do we last with this shot?
Booking the tour feels a lot like that.
Thanks to the internet,
finding a place is not a very thing that is difficult to do again.
Google certainly belongs to you friends in that situation,
but personally, most of my orders
akumenang.com
- I'm definitely happy to have this information.
I mean, like it, I have to like it scavenge for information online
and, like, eroding the page of Myspace people
to find possible places in an area,
but now, you know, you can enter our site,
and it's like, "Okay, well, these are 50 places
" within 50 miles of wherever you want. "
But really, that's just a way to take the conversation
that the band is offline.
They went to a new city, " Hey, what's the cool place?
"What places suck, tell me about them."
We took the conversation and we installed it online
so more people can contribute to that.
(fun piano)
♫ The first chord I play
♫ Now in the past
♫ When I play it again
(sighs) Other bands
gave us the whole door,
which is tonight, around, uh,
You know, between 150 and 200 dollars,
and usually, we only share it with 50-50,
You know, other bands play or something like that,
but they gave us everything,
very, very good of them.
That's something, I don't know,
as a local band for the band tour, that meant a lot.
Like, you know.
That's really good of them.
- [Elizabeth] Yes, that's good of them.
- [Eric] So, did you enter music for money?
- No (laugh)!
- No.
- No, I didn't do it.
- No. (Eric laughs)
- No.
- Well, no.
(both laugh)
- Money.
- (laughs) No, not even close.
- Of course, aw, my God, I'm just going home and fall asleep very fast on my mattress made of hundred dollars.
- No, I'm in because I'm upset (laugh).
That's why I entered it.
I'm like, "Oh, wait, can I get angry and get harder?"
Fantastic, register me.
- I mean, when I first started , I paid,
and that, like, & apos; 07, and from & apos; 07 to, like, 2015,
I might be paid, like, three times (laugh).
- You know, it becomes real, the realization is very clear when you are 18 years old
and you yourself first,
and you play some of your first shows and they give you $ 20,
and they said, "Thank you ," and you like,
"That's $ 20 per person at least, right?"
No, this is $ 20 for the band
five people you brought
and people running merchandise tables (laughs).
- But it's, like, an event for six hours,
where you have to be there, and they give you,
like, maybe two dollars, and that's like,
"Oh," or yes, that's them
where I can't, I can't do that anymore.
- We will play for three hours tonight.
We are not a three hour band,
but (laughing) they promised hundred dollars,
So (sighing) I can't say it not up to $ 100, so we said,
"Yes, we will play for three hours,"
although I am, three hours of material,
in terms of what I can play from our albums and items,
slightly stretch it.
- I go for money and groupies,
and I became poor and a wife.
- I know, good work. (Eric laughs)
- I would lie if I said this is not about money.
Money does help, but overall, it's all about music.
- [Eric] Yes. - Yes
- There is this old school, is rather punk rock, you know,
the concept, "Oops, you can't make money by doing this."
In the end, you have to put gasoline in the van.
- Behind food, gas is of course the biggest expense
on the road, with an eight hour trip
often costs more than $ 45 at least,
though, there are times throughout the year
when we experience very low gas prices,
and honestly, when you're on tour,
it's like getting a raise.
$ 65 in 2011 to fill our car,
and now, only 20 dollars.
I might be able to insert a gallon again,
but still, only $ 20.
The biggest problem with money on the road
Have you ever received a fixed salary.
Depending on whatever it is the place can offer in the sale of merchandise,
income fluctuates quickly from night to night.
- I did not enter this trade
think I'm going to attack him rich, but if done correctly,
You can make sustainable life from it.
You won't sit there circling inside, you know, Cadillac,
- I always focus to get a guarantee
when ordering a tour, so I will always say,
at least $ 100 guaranteed,
plus sales of merchandise and I will always have to be
the food and drinks taken care, that's the basis.
(squeaky brakes)
(metallic collision)
- This here is 2000 Toyota Camry,
and has taken us to almost 600 shows
more than 180,000 miles
(Sigh), and the time is up.
Goodbye, Camry, thank you very much to bring us all places that are very reliable.
And hi Nissan Altima, yeah!
We just found out
that car that we just bought is new
requires a lot of work in it.
(groans) This money that we don't have is on us now,
but I have a credit card.
(bell slamming)
Every place operates independent of each other,
and thus, each has a different way
they tried to give money to bands.
They can do what is called a door agreement,
where they charge extra and sell tickets to anyone
enter the place and then share it with the musician.
They can give a guarantee, which means they promise you
certain amount at the end of the night.
Sometimes, they give you a percentage of sales from the bar while you are playing, the can be terrible or great
depends on how to fill the place.
Often, they let you play for free and ask for donations.
All of these have their advantages and disadvantages,
but the guarantee is definitely the most desirable,
because it gives a sense of financial security.
Beyond money from the place, the main cover the band fee
through their merch desk.
The merch desk is one of the most important components from every live performance of musicians.
Not only is that a big source of income,
but it's also very unique and beautiful way
to connect with fans and in turn,
help fans offer support to you.
Pocket Vinyl merchandise table has
entities that are constantly changing and developing.
This year, it consists of T-shirts,
CD, 12 "vinyl, 7" vinyl,
stickers, business cards, download cards,
socks, art prints of various sizes,
recording bag, and book illustrated by Elizabeth.
You can definitely go to sea with various products,
but we find more and more we offer,
the more we tend to sell.
- Stickers are always a hit, Because you can give them
almost like a business card, you know,
when you meet someone in a restaurant or whatever.
Everyone likes stickers.
- We really have lotta merchandise.
At one time, we had 14 shirts that I thought.
We just tried to find out.
Now, we're going to, like, five I think.
- [Eric] T-shirt is definitely
one of the biggest sources of income,
and to help save money, a lot of bands, including us,
make your own t-shirt.
It takes a little more our time, of course,
but we found that people like
small and personal touches,
and it feels like every shirt
is his own, small unique artwork.
This gives it a nice, homemade--
- [Elizabeth] You better make this one perfect,
because I'm a video, I recorded it.
(Eric sighs)
- [Eric] And--
- [Elizabeth] Revealed!
- [Eric] Ah, that's great!
Good words, a little, a little soft, but.
Often, you have to think outside the box
in terms of what you offer.
- Many times, I will do, uh, haircuts.
I will prepare a little, uh, roadside barber shop.
Charlotte, North Carolina, we play outside,
er, we play in a bar, um, but they're not cool
with me cutting hair inside the bar,
Because they have food there, that makes sense,
but, uh, so I asked them I can run the extension cable and I just cut my hair on the sidewalk in front of the bar.
People walk according to, you know, bars crawl and stuff.
- [Eric] Without a doubt, our biggest personal seller and making money is Elizabeth's painting.
The source of income is already very much needed
for our survival as a band.
- [Man On Right] Original and here,
like the universe in lanterns, is that a lantern?
Wow, get a mountain and, that's pretty good.
- I would bet that around 70 percent of our tour revenue
only from painting auctions.
Sometimes, they auction very low,
price of one digit, but sometimes,
they can get half of the better $ 1000
all depends on who is in the audience.
If two people can enter the bidding war,
we know we will be set for the show.
Excuse me, everyone!
Oh, hey, everybody!
Hi, excuse me, everyone!
Hey, excuse me, everyone, I'm sorry, uh.
So, now, where is Hubert?
You are our person, Hubert.
- Don't, don't ask them to bid again.
- Well, so for now, Hubert has the highest bid
in the painting for $ 105.
Does anyone want to beat him?
105 goes once.
- [Onlooker] 110.
- [Eric] 110.
- 115. - 115, answer the bet!
- [Onlooker] 120.
- 120, right here.
- [Onlooker] 120-what?
- 121! (Laughter laughs)
- [Onlooker] 122.
- 122, 122 goes twice.
- 135.
- 135! (audience cheers)
- [Onlooker] 140. - Oh, 140!
- Last?
- Now, of course, Hubert won't take that,
it went 140 just once.
- 155.
- 155! (audience cheers)
(crowd laughing)
- 156 and one cent.
- No, I don't want to, (crowd laughs)
I'm sorry, - And two cents!
- This is not company policy accept your stupid changes.
I want a full dollar amount.
- 163.
(crowd laughing)
A & apos; ight, OK, yes.
Five, four, who else?
(crowd crowds)
Two, one. - Go slowly!
- Oh, is that, 300?
(crowd laughing)
No, no, no dice, alright, sorry.
I think I heard 300, I'm bad.
For sale, 163, to be exact.
(applause clapping)
All right, thanks again, everyone!
And sometimes there are when you just have to be lucky.
And there is a casino outside this exit.
- [Elizabeth] Ooh, it's free live music tonight!
(fun and fun piano above rhythmic percussion)
- Elizabeth has just won big in the slot.
- I made $ 15.
- We just made $ 13 playing free slot money,
so we entered, we got this Club Card Luckystar Player,
and they give us 10 dollars free in the slot,
and we are back, what is that?
- Uh, $ 18.
- [Eric] $ 18.
- And maybe get a little change.
- [Eric] We played some shows where we played for, like,
two hours and has been made less money than that.
(Elizabeth chuckles)
- Everyone must start gambling!
This is the answer to everything. (Eric laughs)
Just pay for tabs and gambling.
(Fun, flowing guitar)
I have to make sure I get a good picture
from you chewing on your phallus symbol.
Eric likes cucumbers and I hate--
- Laugh all you want.
- [Elizabeth] I hate the smell.
They are disgusting! - They are delicious!
- [Elizabeth] They are so dirty!
- and fill up.
- [Elizabeth] Fill in? - Yes!
- [Elizabeth] They are mostly water!
- I only know how I feel after eating it.
Food is always a problem on the road,
and find some at affordable prices
can sometimes be a challenge.
- Many grocery stores,
many, you know, grocery stores run.
I tried to stay away from the gas station.
I tried to stay away from the gas station,
but, you know, you can't.
- Eating in a grocery store is very good,
and, like, Mexican food, Japanese food, I eat everything.
- [Eric] I talked to several people who spoke,
they are like, "Oh yes, on the tour, I just, like, gain weight,"
Because they are, like, yes, like, one person likes--
- I am the opposite, like, I can literally see my belt,
like, I can tighten the extra button easily.
- So I am actually, I cooked the back of my truck,
and I have small propane, uh,
uh, stove and things like that.
- Buy lots of sandwich items, many fruits and vegetables.
You know, just inventory, like has a cooler in the car,
and I always snack.
I think the three-dish mentality doesn't really remain true
on certain tour schedules.
You just kind, you graze all day.
- I keep a cooler and a big bag of food in the car with, you know--
- [Eric] Yes, we have a food box that we use--
- Yes, and only chips, and nuts,
and granola bar, and Cliff bar, and--
- I'm basically a baby.
Dry cheerios and juice.
- When it's cold, I buy most sandwiches,
and hit them--
- [Eric] Most sandwiches?
- Yes, mostly baked sandwiches and beans.
- [Eric] Have you ever been bored?
- Oh, yes, yes. (Eric laughs)
- Like, at that place tonight, like, you know,
they offer food, and, um,
You know, that's also that, that's difficult
because the majority of places offer pizza,
and as you know, you can't eat cheese before you sing.
So it's like--
- [Eric] Or just, I mean, the pizza is heavy.
- It sits heavily.
- [Eric] Like, even if you only try to appear, yeah.
- Sometimes the place will feed you or, if we are going to someone's home,
parking outside someone's house, they will have food for us.
- [Eric] This, you made a lot (laugh),
I think that, thank you.
Sometimes, I don't think that we deserve it,
(scoffs) all the work and the like, so I just--
- Um, food is my love language, first of all.
- [Eric] Oh!
- And I really like looking for new friends through food.
- Are you familiar with Chipotle fraud?
This is not really fraudulent, see, I hesitate to call it a scam.
People call it a scam.
- [Eric] Let's call it thing, what is Chipotle?
- The deal, this is the Chipotle deal.
We call it Chipotles, um, in every city we will go to.
Get a manager at phone, say something like,
"Hi, I only need fast minutes of your time.
" My name is Carl, I'm playing in the band Kitten Crisis,
"Closet Burn, Janovia Forerver," whatever you want to say.
"We just passed and I know that some Chipotles
" have an agreement where they will help support a musician's tour
"who goes out on the road by giving them food,
" Maybe in return for some merchandise
"or something like that, and we just wondered
" if this location Chipotle participated
"in that promotion or if Chipotle's location
" respects the promotion, "
or deals or whatever it is language, but I mean--
- [Eric] Attention, they will only be like,
"Uh, yes, yes" - It's 50-50.
- 50-50, I will say, it will be an opportunity.
- [Eric] For the record, we have already never really tried this,
but if you want to try it,
it might work national fast food chain.
- So, we are at this resting place stop here in North Carolina ,
and right when I got in the car,
this woman is in a minivan, she just pulled away,
um, stop me and ask if we can use some food.
That, I think he--
- [Eric] That never happened before.
- It never happened before, he was like,
"Yes, I have, like, this food bag,
" And that, like, things I don't eat, "
so it's like peaches, and peanut butter,
and juice, so this is amazing. (Eric laughs)
Very random, it seems like he doesn't even know that we're traveling
or whatever, he's like,
"You look like you can eat food, do you want food? "
(laughs) So--
- He's like," Oh, "we said he's us from Connecticut,
he's like," Well, this is a gift from Jesus. "
- Gift from Jesus! (Eric laughs)
This is amazing, we need to get the nutcracker.
♫ And we know what we know ♫ Because you showed us
♫ Yes, we know what we know - There are still some items that live on the roof.
♫ Yes, we know
- As we all eat floor, let's eat this.
- [Elizabeth] (laugh) I remember you putting it
on the roof and think, like,
"We might do it away with it.
" Ah, he's smarter than this (laugh). "
You're the one who left the item on the roof!
(both laugh)
- Me I don't mean that!
This is good, there are some arguments,
but I think the juice is fine.
- [Elizabeth] I really saw going forward to the juice too,
so if we, like, if it explodes,
I will be very angry (laugh).
- I saw cars coming, because several cars passed by,
and I'm like, "Please don't hit juice!"
Now, are you ready to continue in the world, smart people,
because I'm also a smart person.
Mm, good and shaken,
actually it feels better this way.
(rhythmic guitar, slightly moody)
(Cheers growling cheerfully above rhythmic violin and guitar)
The bar is of course the most common type of place.
The majority of almost every show of musicians is on them.
They are easy to contact, usually offers food and drinks,
and people will often be there
whether music is happening or not.
Coffee shops and restaurants are similar situations,
but for many independent musicians,
the best type of event not in all of this,
but in people's homes.
- They, they, they are very special when you go to them.
- Yes, I love them, I think they are great.
I hope more people hold him back.
- Good, like everyone there,
usually, for music.
- Well, I always feel like that crowd, like,
they really exist for us not only there.
- Have people come to the environment
and seeing something really finished them off,
like seeing, not just bands
that people come to see, this is the environment.
This is intimacy that surrounds music.
- We all share each other's energy,
like, you can hear a drop of pin in the room
because everyone is fair, like, there and they understand that I really tried to express something to them,
that I really tried to say something.
- Such an event, you know,
is where you sell shitload merchandise,
because people are there, they listen,
and, like, they heard it line on one of your songs
which really, like, rings true.
They will buy a CD, they will buy it buy a shirt, huh?
- And I like home shows Because there are no additional fees.
It's all based on donations, but, uh,
really, I really appreciate such community spaces where, uh, people can come together and see music.
- I guess I like it satisfaction seeing people
enjoy something and, like,
it's not like being in front of it,
becomes that face, but knows that I, like, have several,
some organizational strength is more than that.
What I can bring to one thing that is common
where they can enjoy something together.
That's very satisfying for me.
- One of our previous members in the community have, still have their own band,
and (laughs), and so we want to support it,
and he has the idea to do it a show, and as Jon said,
we have space, and, um,
we want to be more involved in art
and support art in us community in several small ways.
- So this is the only that I really, really,
really like to do, and with this,
I mean everything related to music,
because for me, it seems like is the only one
it's very valuable, if you can give someone,
if you can create an environment where someone is inspired,
You have changed the person's perspective,
at least to some extent.
And that's the only thing that really matters can leave, is an impression, I think.
- A songwriter, he's amazing,
and it's like, I don't have know what this person is about,
and he likes to get rid of the audience.
Everyone just stays quiet, likes, listens to him play,
and, uh, that's something
You will not get another place.
- Some, like, my best memories
from high school there, so, like, going to these events,
they like, quite a lot once a week,
every two weeks, this is like,
a bunch of tour band, buncha friends.
People from various places,
and, like, I'm still listening to for all the music now.
And, uh, they really are, like, a lasting impact on me,
and that their house shows who really did it.
Seeing the form of such a community,
like being part of that community
is an amazing experience and I guess
I like to hold home events
because I can be a part of it.
(squeaky brakes)
(metallic collision)
- Our car broke down last night,
(Sighing) and a man let we live in his house,
this house he renovated, so nobody is there,
but we only sleep for five hours,
and now he is taking us back to the car.
I'm very tired, I'm really, really tired,
and we have to find mechanics who will repair our car,
and then the tow company towed our car.
We will be some hundred dollars poorer.
(bell slamming)
Along with home shows, is another great place to play
it's in the community and DIY rooms.
This is usually voluntary-managed organizations
who have secured the space in the city to organize the event.
The people who run it often never make money,
and do it only for love of music
and trying to be great Events happen in their city,
and provide a safe and a welcome room for everyone,
regardless of anyone personal identity or age.
- Get involved in a, uh, music scene
here in Galesburg, uh, saved me.
I mean, like, honest, I deal with a lot, uh,
problems with depression and anxiety.
Being able to be part of a very friendly scene and, uh, it's like that good support system,
that's great, um,
great for me socially, is great for me emotionally.
And yes, that's something I have passion for,
So why not continue to do it?
- What I like about this place, um,
I like long life.
Uh, it looks like, for a long time when it was Blast-O-Mat,
that, indeed like that.
That's a super cliche, that's 20 people the same every night,
but, um, and that's kind of the way
and go in good time.
And, um, there's always someone to take his coat,
and that is Harun Saye,
he was involved again when it was Blast-O-Mat.
Yes, what Aaron Saye is I like about this place.
(Eric and Elizabeth laugh)
Uh, he's an amazing human.
- Uh, where we are, Seventh Circle, first,
uh, basically the same thing , more,
like, punk house, and that is called Blast-O-Mat.
I just started going there Because of my friend's band
starts playing there as good, and I fully
fall in love with underground culture.
- [Eric] What, how about that?
- You know, I'm not, it's difficult to put
what is the allure, but is just something so far from mainstream
and only a little inside ourselves,
it feels almost like this little secret society.
There is only something for these independent bands
no one heard it playing in the garage
that, in my mind, is fair good, if not better,
from those bands I saw playing in the arena.
I don't know, I just like for just providing
whatever I can to help people if they need it, you know?
So only one spell.
that we sort of base the place from
which I think is a type of mantra from many DIY places
across the country only overall acceptance, you know?
Acceptance and only welcome people with open arms.
Like, Sharone, the girl who's been headlining tonight,
him, tonight he is the first to appear as a full band.
He is a piano player and Acoustic guitar player
and vocalist, and he has played solo shows
with us, for, two and a half years,
and he is very extraordinary.
She's in a situation where she doesn't talk to her parents He emancipated himself before He was 18 for several reasons.
I don't know why, I don't know the subtleties,
but he has become one of our most frequent volunteers in places other than playing there all the time,
and he really fell fell in love with that place
and falls into it and just found it as a second home
that he was very desperate needed at that time.
- When I first started coming here, nobody knows who I am.
I don't know anyone, I've just come to the program and, like,
sort of hiding, me, like is really calm and awkward.
I'm still, I'm still very awkward and weird,
but now I just, like, I have met more people and I already know, like, I sing backup for Vienna LaRissa and Strange in a few weeks
at the Marquis and only, like, That's because of this place.
This place is the best
it happened to me.
- Now, he's like, basically, alone.
He lives in an apartment with a roommate, whatever,
he made his life, but, you know,
it seems like that time,
that's really what he needs to give him some direction
and give the music some validation,
therefore another thing things I think
his family has never supported from his music business,
and, I mean, Lord, you will see when you see it tonight,
like, nothing else
he must do with his life.
- Like music is where I live.
This is, like, the only thing that makes me feel like me normal and make I'm happy, and play shows,
like tonight is the best night of my life,
like, starting now.
- [Eric] Really?
- Yes, I mean, like, just do it
that's what makes me very happy.
- He found Seventh Circle it somehow and later
just started playing shows and the first time he played,
I remember, like, I saved the document on my cellphone
where I like, notes about local bands,
so I can reference when I order a show
in the future, you know,
and I remember writing something down, like,
"My God, this girl is 15 years old and she is just as good
" Just like a fucking Grammy a winner I have heard. "
As holy, and he got better
in the last two and a half years.
- For me, it's home, that's only a place I can go to and doesn't feel like I'm very strange . - [Eric] It's amazing!
- You know, we made a name of a fake booking agent
and send us an email from the name of our fake booking agent,
and, like, pretending is more legitimate than us.
Whatever the trick and, You know, that we tried--
- [Eric] Do you do that? - Yes (laugh)!
- [Eric] I have never, I haven't,
I always say I'm Eric, I don't know.
- This is strange because I feel bad about manipulation,
but I feel more confident that I have to.
- [Eric] Do you find that when you pretend
to be someone else, what is it--
- I found that when I pretended to be male,
I got more responses.
- [Eric] Really?
That sucks. - Quite a mess, huh?
- I, many times,
the only woman in the whole shows, that's the real thing.
- [Eric] Yes, same as Elizabeth.
- That's very, very common.
- Yes, I think there is an assumption that I am not,
You know, it won't be very good
on my actual instrument.
- Well, I think it's different for us,
Because we dress like slags and he has orange hair,
So people know we are in the band.
- Yes, we dress like they know we are in the band.
- [Eric] Really, so you haven't, you haven't--
- But we have experience that kind of thing--
- Yes, all the time.
- That, that's the standard, just being a woman.
It's just that, it's the same in any industry.
- We have, you know, a woman in our extraordinary band,
Camelia, who plays the piano, several violins from time to time.
You know, I hate the fact that people only assume
that he is someone boyfriend in the group.
- [Eric] Oh!
- So, you know, he talks with healthy men
about the settings, and this and others.
They just stopped because he was a woman,
it becomes clear, he just, You know, who plays the piano
or who plays the key, like he doesn't know,
and a kind of strange misogyny things kinda rubbing me wrong.
A rather beautiful thing about it
is, you know, he's one of the most amazing players What I've seen in my life, so you know,
a good boy with Kid Rock shirt,
(scoffs) You know, maybe is a much poorer guitar player,
piano player, violinist, you know.
He plays all these instruments is better than I might be,
You know, I will, you know?
And for whatever reason, they just ignore it.
- Have, like, you know, if you come to check the sound
and you're not dressed people like,
"Oh, so you are his girlfriend or you," yes.
- Someone tonight actually said they thought
we are groupies, and then we go on stage,
and they are like "Oh, then you shake!"
- Yes, especially when I sell merchandise.
They ask me about other merch bands.
They only think of me as a kind of trade woman.
What I'm happy about, - If we haven't played.
- If we haven't played, yes,
and I like to sell others merch people, you know?
Like, that's their problem.
- Yes, that's extra money for us!
- No, we don't (laugh).
- This is very poor, and you only,
You are looking at things, and you are like,
"Wow, so this is very good from a joke," you know?
How much did I do really wanted to buy it,
but then you see other people,
and you are like, "Well, is a joke,"
so I can do this I like and suck it,
and deal with it with anything it presents me,
or I can stamp my feet and say,
"That's wrong if you like this," you know,
don't get a place, you know.
You only work with what you have.
- When it first starts, is a little different.
Um, that's more than possible for everyone to assume
I am Mike's girlfriend, um, that I became very good
by helping him carry the drum, um.
I have a club owner who, you know,
really special ones, like
try to mark the band when they enter, you know,
and they are like, "Are you in the band?"
and you say, "Yes," and then they say,
"Transporting teeth does not become part of the band.
"Are you in the band?" and I like,
"I'm the fucking lead singer, is that okay with you?"
- I hate people who think it is because you are a woman,
you, um, only a singer or you can't play,
or, I don't know, anything.
- [Eric] Yes, you rippin & apos; that is, I mean,
you too, so I don't--
- Well, I mean, like, that's also the problem.
Like, you, I think often, if you are an attractive woman,
people think you don't have talent.
- The man's voice may be in his 50s, maybe,
um, schools are very old, long gray ponytails.
Like, I must have done it This is a bit of a gig for a while.
He came to me, he left,
"Man, you sure don't play like a girl," and I'm like,
and I'm sure my face is like,
"What does that mean?"
And he left, this was the best part, he left,
"No, no, I mean you don't play like a vagina," you know?
And I like, and you know, like, I will,
no, I just said, "Well, thank you."
- I noticed when I was on tour, most of the bands we played,
if there is a woman in the band, she might sing.
- [Eric] Mm-hmm.
- Beautiful, annoying, it's so sad, huh?
And I don't know why that happened.
- Um, I really have a healthy man take a separate microphone and show how it works.
Yes, I have appeared since I was seven,
and he's like, "Oh, look at to you blonde blonde girl.
" You obviously don't know what you are doing ,
"let me show you how the microphone works."
- Like I definitely used to get a lot, like,
You know, "Ooh, it's full of packages," or just,
whatever, just a comment about My appearance when I was young.
Now I'm in my 40s, it's very liberating,
because I don't
more seen as sexual objects,
and that's great! (Eric laughs)
This, like, is really amazing!
- So these are things that, um, white people
has told me at the Pocket Vinyl exhibition.
Admit that God isn't a woman, she's a man.
I thought you were going to paint a gerbil,
but you paint tigers, you should be painted gerbils.
As a merchant girl, you can sit there.
You are not in the band because You don't play a musical instrument.
Wow, you sell it, I will never pay that much for a painting!
Paint my friend, paint the penis, paint me!
Do you disagree that the government
have to put everyone to sleep who is weak or disabled?
You know what you should do do, you have to go around
and ask everyone if they think you should paint.
Do you know what you have to do?
You must change all of your settings.
Do you know what you have to do?
You have to paint different things.
Do you know what you have to do?
You must try to market yourself better.
You know what you have to do, You know what you have to do,
do you know what you have to do?
I like most of you art, but not this part.
- [Eric] Nobody ever said like that to me.
(Elizabeth laughs)
They are all nice to me. (Elizabeth laughs)
(pleasant guitar)
♫ And I said build me a house in the village
♫ A Bohemian vacation for two people
(squeaky brakes)
(metallic collision)
Geez!
- [Elizabeth] Can you see something?
- [Eric] The light bulb falls!
- [Elizabeth] Their cart is here.
- Therefore, yes, the light falls.
Hi, sorry, we have, uh, part of our bumper like, melting,
and, like, black and we are not so sure why,
but then one of the bottom flood lights, I guess,
falls from the socket. - Oh, short?
- Yes, or somehow, but that's kind of,
difficult to reach and very hot now, so.
Hey, I'm glad we know what that is.
(bell slamming)
♫ My wife goes there, she is the center of my life ♫ And he brings us babies with new tattoos
♫ And I said build me a house in the village
(Laughter) We paid $ 47 for this hotel room.
Let's look at all those things for this worth $ 47.
Look at all these stains, what is that?
Shampoo, soap, blood, nobody knows!
This ceramic floor is very good in some kind of school.
The towels are good and 50-grade sandpaper.
- There is a dog running up and down the hallway
barking, like, at six o'clock in the morning.
- Oh, oop, it's a hole!
Maybe because of cigarettes, I don't know.
- I hear babies crying,
and I heard someone yell at the baby.
- [Eric] We think they just stain and not made after the bed sheet has been put on the bed.
There must be, like,
the smell of cigarette smoke on the bed.
The picture is good.
Let's see the window, oh, what is that?
Oh-ho-ho, hole in the window?
- [Elizabeth] Geez! (Eric laughs)
- It just makes it I feel safe all!
I think it's safe to say that it's worth it every penny from $ 47, 100 percent.
- My last two paintings, almost paid for this.
(Eric laughs)
- I've stayed in some very good hotels,
I really live there Airbnbs are good (clears throat),
and I also stayed here some really scary hotels
and Airbnbs are really scary.
- When I ordered a tour, I tried to hit it very deliberately
the place where I have people.
- You know, like that, I'll do it Have friends to live with,
and it will be, like, a small piece of home,
not just staying at the motel every night by looking at Friends.
- Anyway and anywhere, from hotel to van,
to friends' houses to tents, campsites--
- [Eric] Do you have your own tent?
- Oh yes, of course.
- And I also live on several floors
that you swear they will never be able to
has a vacuum cleaner running it.
- There is no guarantee has a place to live.
That, I think, is one of the most difficult things for people to understand about doing a DIY tour
what is it, it seems crazy to others,
You will only appear on shows,
and sometimes the promoter is pretty good
to offer us a place stay, and another time,
we just went up uppercase on the microphone,
like, "Hey, you know, we are looking for
" for the place to stay tonight, we are not unruly guests.
You know, "we will wash your dishes,"
"We will do your duty," you know?
We have never really been without someone who is good enough
to offer us a place stay and that's a thing
what surprised me the most about that,
and that's the thing makes me really, I guess,
believe it and, uh, still do it.
- [Eric] There's a lot of from foreigners we met on our show for years that generously offered us
place to stay for the night.
Sometimes, it's a sofa, sometimes, it's the floor.
Sometimes, it is all guests home and king size bed.
We often play shows starting at 10 pm,
and don't know where we will sleep that night,
only approached by someone with a good heart and empty space.
- Many times, it's people, they're like,
"Come to my house, I have several beer boxes,
" And I will cook you a full meal
"and breakfast tomorrow morning."
OK, OK, yes, that sounds fantastic.
- I don't fully buy into 100 percent karma,
but I'm on a tour, so I want to think
that to a certain extent, this will returns finally
when I'm on the road next, but really, like,
it started a few years ago.
I used to do this for people
just because I'm big their music fans,
and then it stops being a condition.
I just started feeling a lot of compassion for the touring band and want to do what I can
to help people do what they do, you know?
- [Eric] Yes, thank you very much only invites us.
People like you who help we survive on the road, so.
- [James] Nice to do it.
♫ Walking along the beautiful streets, I rolled
♫ The colors in the trees this fall
♫ We rolled
♫ To the sunset at night
♫ And retired, I didn't go home ♫ Thinking about crossing the coastline in summer days
♫ Their waves hit and the sun, the endless rays
♫ But this is not California ♫ So it's the season, yeah, they have to change - [Eric] Here in this church, uh,
French Quarter in New Orleans.
This is their inventory cabinet,
where we slept last night.
- I always do this
where I will play shows, then I will say, like,
"You know, if someone is looking for
" Customized, married the man who is preparing for that night,
"I'm looking for a place." (Eric chuckles)
And nine out of 10, it will work.
Someone will offer a sofa or spare bedroom, so.
- Right, I sleep in my truck, I have,
I have an air mattress and thermal sleeping bag,
and, uh, I chose to tour, you know,
like Ontario in January, that's smart.
- [Eric] Daniel Amedee is another musician
we randomly met on the road this year
who toured, slept, and finally stayed on the verhicle.
- [Elizabeth] It seems like you are transporting people
from getting a prostitute.
- [Daniel] I know, right.
Look, this is like two sleeping pads, can you see them?
- [Eric] Two sleeping pads and,
and you sleep there?
- [Daniel] Somewhere.
- [Eric] Oh, that's not it is too bad, but look, we're just,
we only, our captain seat just fold back.
You can at least lie down.
- That's terrible, I've been there.
I toured for two years a girl in a Ford Focus.
- [Eric] Yes (chuckles)? - Does not end well.
- [Eric] It's sweet, man,
and you only, you got, like, you only paid for it,
do monthly payments, or?
- [Daniel] 330 a month.
- [Eric] It's not bad!
- This is just my overhead.
That's the way I think about it.
If, like, this is my job, if I can't do it
at least $ 330 a month, what am i doing, you know?
- [Eric] Yes, so you don't have, like,
there are no apartments or anything, only.
- No.
- [Eric] Only this.
♫ Or out of town
♫ Why can't you see
Want to sleep at the hotel?
- [Elizabeth] I don't know,
I just don't want to spend that much.
- This is only 30 dollars.
- [Elizabeth] Yes, there will be taxes.
- Eh, yes, it will be, like, 32.
(sighs) No, I, yes, I don't know.
I mean, like, almost one.
- [Elizabeth] Yes.
- You just want to go to Walmart?
- Mm, maybe.
♫ One day when I reached 35 years
♫ I drive my car
♫ Go directly to L.A.
Sleeping in a car for our is far more ideal.
It's in the front seat, in the sleeping bag,
usually in Walmart parking use a lot of Walmart bathrooms,
and hope nobody pays attention to us or knock on the window when we sleep.
Are you okay?
- I'm sorry.
I almost drove the way (cleared my throat).
I'm fine, I'm really tired just a few minutes ago before we arrived here.
I'm sorry.
- In the blink of an eye, we will watch this recording,
and we will be far from here,
but now, it seems so extraordinary.
But only, like that, we will be on the TV screen.
(Elizabeth laughs)
- [Elizabeth] We will see our names in stars!
- [Eric] How do you sleep?
- I don't feel like that for most of the night.
- [Eric] So, are you sleeping well?
- I sleep well, yeah, like As far as I remember.
- [Eric] Do you sleep OK?
- [Elizabeth] No.
♫ You got it James Dean
♫ Charlie Sheen looks at your eyes ♫ You have that Ree
- [Elizabeth] Take the key out!
This is all dingy-ding.
And take your money, Don't waste money.
And get a job already! (Eric laughs)
- Shut up, Mom!
It's an adventure, isn't it?
- Adventure time!
- [Eric] We're happy to be here, right?
♫ Adventure time, come and take your friend
- You are not me!
You must love what I do!
Go to sleep, fully clothed!
People, people think we are good!
You have never been a good mother!
- I haven't put my face on, Eric!
I'm an artist, you--
- I'm an artist, Mom!
I am an art (sobbing)!
- [Elizabeth] Do you want to remain
stockings out for lunch?
- I don't want to keep the stockings, Mom!
- That's our life!
- [Eric] (laugh), do you hope we go home?
(Pleasant acoustic guitar with vocals)
- I haven't really thought about it lately.
- I would say it's good, huh.
You guys, this is great!
Remember that a $ 47 hotel is just bullshit?
- Damn it in Wichita?
- [Eric] That's the worst!
- It's more expensive than this.
- Look at this, this is $ 37 for this!
This is strange, (Elizabeth screaming)
This is $ 10 cheaper!
Look, something over, and like, to hang,
and look at this mirror, Hey, what happens to men?
And there is a good picture.
Here, look, it's like a bathroom part
separated from this other section,
which I know some nonsense hotels have two,
but it looks fancy here.
Elizabeth, I'm really excited!
- This is very good, I want to stay here.
- Hairdryer, dry my hair, I think.
This looks like a fancier things from what I've seen before.
Look, there are four pillows,
and they are all like spooning!
- Shh, we are at the hotel.
- [Eric] I'm just excited. - WELL.
(Pleasant acoustic guitar)
(rhythmic and fun rock music)
- [Eric] Whatever you family of people think
from doing the artist thing?
- Um--
- [Eric] Do they support, are they, I mean--
- I think they have been quite supportive for--
- Mm, sure.
- Because it's completely contrary to what we want to do,
I think they are patient, you know.
That's all you can really ask for.
- I'm an only child, so it's not like--
- [Eric] Nothing big disappointment or anything?
- No, no, no, not at all, not,
and mainly because, I think,
sometimes like, "Oh, you do you," you know,
"He will go to law school and him," you know.
For me, it was my parents like, "Yes, do it!"
- I would say that, you know,
my family definitely supports it.
They rather believe what I'm doing.
- This must be glorified, they are like,
"Oh, when will you go on tour again?"
and I like, "Oh, I went for two weeks here, " and I have an event here, a show there, show here. "
They just think that, like, _ Leon's poor kings.
- My brother said, actually, once,
I tried giving him a CD and he said,
"Yes, that's not true
" the type of music I like to listen to, "and I'm like--
- [Eric] Your brother said that?
- Yes, my brother said that,
"That's cool, friend, I understand." (Eric laughs)
But, for the most part, they have,
You know, are super supportive.
- Now they see that, you know,
= = what I do more here, eh,
it's definitely something they will do
cheer up a little better, but they are like,
"You have to get a job," and I agree.
= = I, like, I definitely have to have something to support it. - They will think something is wrong,
if I don't do something it's amazing. (Eric laughs)
So, I got it!
- One thing my dad always told me does he pull me aside when I'm making a decision
and, like, go to college,
like really learning it and making a living for it,
he goes, "You understand, but you have to be able to " To put a roof over your head. "
That's all he says, like, you must be able to, you know,
place the roof above you head and eat alone.
Get food on the table, that's all. - And they might some of the most supportive
of all those people, you know,
involved in what what we did. And even my dad came out for three days
on the first tour we did,
and, like, hanging out for a weekend with one of his friends.
I mean, that's cool, that's cool.
- So they are, they think it's really cool
Because they don't understand how do we understand it, you know?
And, you know, I fudge around things, like,
"Oh, yes," you know, "The last tour was amazing."
I make $ 10 and,
You know, I left for three weeks.
(Eric laughs)
- I thought initially, um,
our mind how long can you do this, you know?
You are exposed to thousands of miles on the road,
all kinds of weather, you know,
in, sometimes, some places are uncertain.
Worrying a little about you People will be robbed at night.
You know, they're all personal security issues
which I think, as parents, we, you know,
clear, we are concerned.
- The fact that, you know, you appear in the bar
and people get drunk and do stupid things,
So, yes, that's my business.
Still, still,
when you travel, um, and you go to town
and places that you have never visited before,
and there are some beautiful freaks out there.
- You know, we are like, yes, we hope that everything goes smoothly,
but we don't, like, "Ouch, they have to change their lifestyle
" Because this doesn't work, " that never occurred to me.
- [Eric] No? - No. = - no.
- I'm a little more feeling from father, maybe,
"Hey, this is your life time " to try something like this, if you will do it at all. "
You are less burdened by responsibilities of all types,
of all types besides you responsibility of each other.
- You know, I wonder how you will survive financially , that, but, and that,
I realize that's how my parents
when, you know, we tell them
that we will be missionaries, you know.
- When you start, you are younger,
and stupid will not be a term, but naive.
- Inexperienced.
- A little naive, uh, what will happen
for the long term, I think You have grown into it,
(clears throat) and, uh, good or not
You already thought about it 40 years at the end of the road
for you and what that means,
I don't know, but I think You will find your way there.
- I'm grateful that Beth has found someone who, um, together, you will pursue your creativity or you, um,
the gifts and abilities you have.
That you will not try to adjust or turning Beth into something is not her.
- I know since you were three years old
that you are an entertainer at heart.
You entertain everyone in a different way,
and the music, I will never forget to be in a basketball game
in the gym, and when they have this little band playing,
You know, you will rockin & apos; go with a tap,
like a child who really can do it, pull it.
- I want to say I'm a fan, and I am,
You know, every time in for a while, you tell me,
"Oh, this perfect stranger will only come to me
" and say, we love you music, we like your shows, "
and, um, I have grown to love your music,
and I always like Elizabeth art,
and I appreciate it not only because
You are a family member, but for its intrinsic value.
- Yes, we like to go to your show.
- [Eric ] Okay, good. - So much closer to us and some in Canada (laugh).
- When I listen to the lyrics you write
and the music, I'm very proud of you,
because I feel like you heart for what's important.
- When we are on the show, it's not like,
"Aw, yeah, this is Mom and Dad, back on the show again."
- We don't hold shows.
- What should be done by Mom and Dad.
- We like going to your events.
- We enjoyed it.
- We love you, so we are not biased, right (laugh)?
(festive snare drum)
(squeaky brakes)
(metallic collision)
- Look at this car, 2002 Nissan Altima,
that we returned in April, only six months ago?
Well, I just took it to try to get a steady heating,
Because there is no heat in the car right now,
and the length of the short story, it's big, bigger (scoffs),
a problem that is far greater than anticipated,
and now, we might go
have to buy a new car again.
With money we don't have,
so it will be (sigh),
I don't know, I--
(bell slamming)
(Driving rock music)
♫ The top of the mountain is all sprinkled with bunkers
♫ And they are wearing sunlight
♫ That is intrinsically contemplating
♫ All the clouds are blocking from the earth
♫ And if they do it intentionally
(dramatic, piano boom)
(sighs) Thank you!
(cheers and applause)
Here's what I expect every show like,
but that's not the problem for musicians at our level.
Every night is a different adventure,
and while each band has a city or two
where they get followers,
almost every night you play
to anyone who happens to be there.
The size and shape of the crowd changes every day.
♫ All the side effects
♫ I have swollen eyelids for about one or two weeks
♫ And you cough up blood for a day
♫ Well, the healing process takes longer than
♫ What we expected
♫ I don't think it's wise to live when my brother
(Driving rock music)
Every band has great stories about bad things
what happens on the road, in fact,
I have heard so much time interviewing people,
we might be able to make documentaries just about that.
- Oh, yes, that's part of acting,
like, soaking wet themselves in pig's blood
and start throwing everything there.
- And put it on it this little cross member
and jump from this stage, you know?
For types, you know, acting like, hey, I hanged myself.
Well, the problem is, when he falls,
he doesn't judge the length of the cable.
- Place parkin where we are
for registration are chalk lines,
and, like, bullets casing everywhere.
- Well, he saw us, he took my hand in one hand,
and Chris's hand in the other hand like this to shake like this
and go, "Oh, okay," and walk away,
so I really want, like, our press quote
to be like, "Oh, okay,"
Bernie Sanders to When Particles Collide.
- And then we go ghost hunting
because this is a very large large building
without lights and there are no people in it except us.
- There is a one-time razor razor girl
to his hand and enter the mosh hole
and just started spinnin & apos; in a circle.
- There is a man who happens to look the same as me,
um, who runs the Mahdi Army.
- [Eric] Really?
- Yes, the name is Moqtada Al-Sadr,
and I look like him. (Eric laughs out loud)
- Yes, we definitely played a biker rally,
um, it doesn't work well.
- And then we can see Lou Ferrigno.
- And then they hit ledge, and just go into the air to the interstate that will come traffic in another way.
- They leave, and have sex with their boyfriend hard,
and then get up and leave
and buy all breakfast sandwiches.
- If you will go on tour,
You will get the story.
You will do it too has a lot of bad shows.
The next one, Bruce Springsteen,
The boss himself, tweeted about.
(crowd crowds)
This next song is one that Barrack Obama
The word is number two favorite song 2015.
- [Onlooker] Woo!
- Free beer!
- [Onlooker] Thank you.
- Arright, let's continue with our set.
All right, it will be available soon starts at Trevor here,
but some people outside Trevor--
(Eric laughs)
- Thank you for the encouragement, Trevor!
Uh, yes, Elizabeth, we here, will begin.
There is Mardis Gras the parade happened there.
Look at that, the Mardis Gras parade!
Pocket Vinyl.
(Crowds chatter on dramatic piano)
Thank you.
(crowd crowds)
It's okay, just not,
because there is an outside parade.
But sometimes, everything points to a terrible night,
but it turns out amazing.
How do you feel about tonight's program?
- Well, I don't think anyone will be there.
- [Eric] Really?
- Yes
- [Eric] This one looks a bit like a house or something.
Maybe more than a restaurant show,
the restaurant gigs never went well.
This is where we play.
Some people stand line, an empty table,
and some people experience a meeting there.
Looks like it's pretty ideal for Pocket Vinyl events!
(dramatic piano music)
Previously, there was no one here
unless this person is here,
but I, like, show room and I like,
"What kind of event is this sometimes,"
but we will do little things, you and me,
where I will direct the camera myself and say,
"See who appears," and then switches to you,
and everyone just waved and left, "Hi, okay?
Hey, see who shows up?
- [Crowd] Hi!
- [Eric] Any, interp, whatever interpretation or anything?
Who wants--
- [Man] Um, it looks like a lot
like something I've seen before.
Ah, I know what it looks like, actually,
and I will not say what it looks like,
because it's, like, not something you do for an artist
say it like other artists--
- [Eric] Oh, yeah, smart!
- [Woman] Look at that!
- [Eric] Woo, that's very respectful, man!
We made around $ 120 that night.
So how do you feel about leaving?
- Um, it's weird.
- [Eric] (laughs) Yeah, is a bit weird, right?
- Yes
- Yes, I don't understand what happened.
Only people appear.
We have done this, like, we have played more than 500 shows,
and it's still, that, like it makes me dizzy when it was, like, there was no one there,
then suddenly, I finish the song and search
and people applaud and there are people there.
I think I'm grateful.
- Yes
I feel like we are learning it lesson repeatedly.
Aw, remember how you can't predict how things will happen?
Uh, you have to be grateful about that.
Yeer.
- [Eric] (laugh) Who is that? - God.
- [Eric] Oh, is that God? (Elizabeth laughs)
- [Elizabeth] That's my impression about--
- God is like, "You don't know!"
(fun, piano flowing)
♫ I see the inside
♫ I see that
(humming traffic)
- [Elizabeth] Why?
(distant traffic humming)
- Basically, now I don't want to go to the road.
I'm just, I just want to stay at home.
I like that, I like to play.
This is great, I mean, I live in a dream, right?
I am in this case, I am in this long corridor,
towards, we play,
I'm just, I don't want to play now.
I don't want music.
I want to go home.
We have five more this week on the road,
and that's just, we're in, like, this sports bar,
and last night, we played an event where no one came,
and I just...
- Sometimes, I wonder if I'm on tour
knocking down the year of my life.
Like, if I'm not on tour,
I will live longer.
But, if I'm not on tour, I will do something else.
Maybe that will make my life shorter.
- As we should do enter, for example, 20 minutes,
and me, I don't want to.
And I will go and I will pretend like me,
and I will pretend like I like it all the time, but
I, I, I want to stop doing this.
- I'm done.
I don't want to play anything more shows on this tour.
(roar of the engine)
Do you have one show
that you really look forward to?
Like where you like,
"Oh, yes, many people will be there."
- There are some that look promising.
(roar of the engine)
I feel like I'm delaying panic attacks now,
and I don't know what to do.
Like, what else can we do besides just playing more shows?
We play 600 shows and we, and that,
like, we have a kind of small fan base,
but there is no national sense
or even regional, really, anywhere (sighing).
I don't know (mumbling).
(Sighing) I don't know what to do.
I don't know, I don't know what the next step is.
(dramatic piano)
- I wonder if you will really watch this recording, Eric.
We will have so many records to go through.
This recording may never be seen.
(dramatic, piano flowing)
♫ We give birth to strong and different smoke
♫ My hands, they feel as big as this room
So I left, so, yes, we came back, I like,
"Yes, I will go the way and become a musician."
What is the first advice,
the number one suggestion that you will give me?
- Don't do it (laugh).
- [Eric] Really?
- (Laughter) No.
- Get your finances checked, get your finances checked,
Get your finances checked.
- Play, have fun, be nice to each other,
be nice to healthy men.
Always wrong on the side, from, being openly armed.
If people need to borrow teeth, if people need help,
help them, because you never know.
Hey, your show has just been canceled, remember the man you met who happened to live in Saginaw, Michigan?
Hey, you might be the place to stay tonight.
- Only, like, focus your efforts build relationships
rather than burning it,
Because you never know when that person is
will be able to help off track.
- You know, someone said You have a good show,
appreciate what they have try to tell you,
even if you think it's not good
an experience, you know?
- This is a very easy job for someone who can handle tired and tired in uncomfortable situation most of the time.
- You know, there are some lessons that I have learned
where I don't ask about paying where I should be.
You know, not necessarily their fault,
not necessarily mine, uh, I didn't ask before,
and now, I make sure that I do it so that doesn't happen again.
- I will say step alone, eh,
and take a moment to just, uh, at the moment.
- This is not easy, not glamorous,
and you really have to work.
- [Eric] You said before that was easy.
- (Laughter) Don't enter it, select one of the others.
- Have at least 2,000 saved only "Oh, shit!" fund.
You have to, your car is broken in the middle of nowhere,
and you don't have AAA, what will you do?
You have to save a lot of money to do this well, so you don't sit there afraid to live,
because it's pretty scary if your car is damaged
and you don't have money to fix it, right?
- Um, each of your bands meet, um, talk to them,
see if they want to play future performances with you.
Also, every place you play on, um,
see if they like your music,
and if they want , have you returned to that place,
or if you want to play with the band again.
Write everything.
- And plan to work harder than others.
- I think it's very important to do it because you like it,
because if you don't like it, it won't last long.
- I would say if you motivation is success,
uh, then you have the wrong motivation.
- You just don't know until you do it.
You don't know if will resonate with people,
and order shows outside the city and tour
when you first started,
many learn how to be a band,
learn how to be a mensch.
Learning how to ask for help,
learn how to be a friendly guest.
You know, all this things you learn,
This isn't about you music, and it's really learning
how to be a good person in this community.
- [Eric] The whole film is really just a piece
what is it like to be a small musician traveling.
The highest score is very high, and the lowest can be very low.
Number of sacrifices just to start big enough to scare away most normal people,
and the risk is startling from the start.
With all this in mind, I often find myself asking
why even do this, why do I do it?
Why did Elizabeth do it with me?
Why are all these people we've met trying to do it too?
Is it even feasible?
- Music can really help people and heal people,
and thinking, with a three-minute pop song,
You can really change someone's life, you know,
with them in that way no other art form can.
- It's something that can change lives.
That's something that can make an impact on someone the next decision they will make.
- That's just something you did, I don't know.
I have never seen myself not writing.
That's always very therapeutic.
- This is therapy for me.
When I write songs, this is therapy.
This is something I can't share,
like, if I talk you, face to face now,
we just talk, I can't do it.
So I did it lyrics, I did it, you know,
with a melody, with hooks.
- It's amazing to see crowd reacting to a song.
- If, you know, I screw up, then I'm really exposed,
and that, you know, it was a kind of sensation for me.
This is like every time I appear,
it's like riding a roller coaster.
- I mean, I think you can maybe empathize
without art, but I think art has a major role
in, uh, understanding your situation,
You know, socio-economic, is local,
or country, or national or global.
I think you can learn a lot
from exploring yourself creatively.
- You know, in essence,
You have to do this because you like it, um.
You have to feel that what you do is important.
If it's not important for others,
no one else cares about you do, um, it's still important.
- I think that's what happened attract people to it, um,
is hearing other people in its most raw form,
and to get in touch with him.
That's friendship is, it's sharing, um,
prejudice experience.
- I think a lot for that I'm just an obsession.
Um, I have made art all my life,
and song writing has become a thing
which I can't do but do.
- Music is that car takes me there, that.
- Something about that I just love,
and I don't really know what it is,
but, whatever it is is, that's great (laugh).
- [Eric] Yes, it is very valuable.
I still don't know why is, but I know that.
As I said at the beginning of this film,
Pocket Vinyl is just us both.
No manager, or order agent, or all of that,
but really, I have found through many of our adventures
that the touring band is small way far from alone.
This is not something. Only Elizabeth and I built it.
Our band, like everything band, live and healthy
thanks to hundreds and thousands of people
who helped us.
Does it give us dinner, place to put our heads,
or just throws one dollar into the jar,
it all helps keep us going far more than we can express.
This band isn't just us.
Everyone who has ever seen us, or helped us.
Even you, by watching this film now.
- The generosity of those people shows cannot be trusted.
I think the most amazing thing
is how to downplay that experience.
This is very condescending, not only because
sometimes you play for three people,
but it is also degrading because people are very generous.
Just keep on receiving goodness
and the generosity of people is really something.
♫ Let your body take you
♫ To where you first found love
♫ Will you not open your heart ♫ And found
♫ Through that feeling of loneliness
♫ Walking past the fields finally
♫ Will you not keep your head high? ♫ And found
♫ Let your body take you
♫ To where you first found love
♫ Will you not open your heart ♫ And found
(calming vocals)
(rhythmic rock music with pointed harmonica)
(Sliding brakes)
(metallic collision)
- Look here, look, let's leave this.
I hate this car.
- [Elizabeth] Me too.
- I am very ready to get it - get rid of this car (laugh).
We have put more than $ 1,000 into this car in just the past month.
(Elizabeth laughs)
And now--
- [Elizabeth] Do you know
how much did we enter since we bought it?
- Between three and 4000.
- [Elizabeth] That's it?
- Maybe a little more, but yes, I think that's all.
- I think we included more than that.
I feel like silver because it tries to look fancy,
but that is terrible.
- New car, bad old car.
Beautiful new car.
I hope. (Elizabeth laughs)
I have all this optimism, and like,
everything looks like that will be great with this,
but I don't know,
what if there are, like, goblins in it.
Oh, and look, we're old Camry doesn't have this.
(bell slamming)
- [Elizabeth] Hey!
- [Eric] Look at this nice wood.
- [Elizabeth] Good, fancy wood!
- It's like I'm driving a cabin here, this is great!
That's it, we never have it to see this car again!
- [Elizabeth] Bye-bye!
- [Eric] Aw, you're trash!
- [Elizabeth] (chuckles) Nobody likes you!
("Foggy Mess" by Pocket Vinyl)
♫ Monday, I will rejoice in the light of Christ
♫ Tuesday, I will preach that it is all a lie
♫ Then back to my religious self
♫ I'm sure there is nothing and I need help ♫ I heard that doubt was like a disturbing bell
♫ I believe that because I'm afraid of Hell ♫ Yes, I have no deep commitment ♫ I follow Christ to avoid punishment ♫ I changed my veil, I has a spiritual split
♫ I dabbled in an atheism church ♫ Trying to get rid of myself from everything I can
♫ From Sunday school my childhood lessons
♫ But something I noticed internally
♫ Like I don't believe in God, but God believes in me ♫ Is this a feeling of the divine
♫ Or something I made in my mind
(rhythmic rock music with pointed harmonica)
♫ Now I'm not sure about the title I hold
♫ I would rather not have it one if I can be so brave ♫ One thing I think I can drown my teeth ♫ Inside is the love that forgives my enemy ♫ And I know I will fail with a very high bar
♫ But something in I forced me to try
♫ You may call me pervert
♫ You can't spell that word without Eric
♫ Admittedly, I'm afraid, is nervous like steam
♫ To put this thought down to this paper
♫ What if I'm not recognized by my family ♫ When I claim that there is Hell
♫ Maybe it's empty
♫ For some people, it's easy to just give up
♫ But I might always drink directly from the cup ♫ This is a misty mess around my head ♫ I'm sure I'll think about it even though I'm dead
(rhythmic rock music with pointed harmonics