Bryan Escareno and Alicia Zeimet

00:00 My name is Alicia zeimet. I am 28 years old and I live in Berwyn Illinois. It is December 12th 2020 and I'm going to be having a conversation with my fiance Bryan escareno am a musician of 29 years old as of this year.

00:30 Great. I'm happy birthday. And I am in we are in Berwyn, Illinois right outside of Chicago. Okay, so Brian inspired you to become a musician.

00:50 Oh boy, you know I didn't think that I would actually

00:56 Be so infested with music after my family had shipped in to buy my first guitar when I was 13, you know, and I I

01:11 Are you stranded here and there and I didn't really take it very serious but I thought you know, they had invested the money the money that you know inches of into the guitar for me and I felt like almost obligated to start practicing if you know, what I was really into old is that my mother would put on and I wanted to do something similar to you know, what do you say what I wanted to have the same effect that these musicians I was listening to me. I wanted to be able to do that for someone in the future. So so so I started practicing a lot and a few bands since that agent know that I am currently in this band.

02:07 When we was kids and we've played a lot of local spots and popular spots in Chicago and we had just

02:23 We had just released and he pee on the back of the address to release an EP as of last year 2019 and

02:37 You mentioned like some of your some of the places in Phineas you had played with your band. What was like one of your favorite shows that I would have to say, you know, we're always happy to play any any place big are small, but I would have to say Lincoln Hall we can have only because like, you know, it's this just seems to be a really a really nice venue and

03:13 It's in a very popular neighborhood and then Linkin Linkin Park and you know, that was just kind of like a like a symbolic point. You seem so long ago now but also subterranean.

03:37 Tell me what is the hide things for you. I imagine it's not being able to play live shows for like what has what has dependent it in like for you and like also your band So, yeah, so like I was saying we released our first, you know, when we've been together for five about 5 years and in that

04:02 In the first couple years. We were you working on an r e p and we are we are a DIY then and what that means is we're doing everything ourselves around marketing our own RX our own our own recording and

04:24 And you know, it's just we put so much time into making this EP and then releasing it via it's a winter of 2019. We had these plans to do all of these shows and we were already booked for even a festival at during the summer of 2020 and a lot of bands have reached out to us like a congrats on the release and we can't wait to play with you. We've seen all of that just disappear.

05:06 When academic in March singer of disappear was really, you know, I don't say depressing but it's certainly just took us back down the ladder you know, right?

05:28 But yeah, but yeah since then since then it's so morally as a bad.

05:40 Tide sent to get back and feeling good.

05:49 I'm not the bandleader, but I do take a lot of initiative even though we are not playing a lot of shows. We you know, I've done things like I've ordered merch I've ordered merchandise for a band and have set up.

06:14 Ideas for March in the future just to kind of keep us like our Spirits elevated light while you know, where we are eventually going to be using these things. But you even in even when the release happened I ordered all of these CDs for sale that are shows and I just have like a box of CDs and I still have to distribute a situation of trying to

06:51 Make you and your bandmates like a hold full of the future and kind of keeping my eyes and eye on the future to know that, you know, maybe things will eventually get better. But also like, you know, some of these merch ideas that you're doing or that like, I know you just got stickers for your band with your audience to register. I didn't mean to you know, I actually just sent them out to some friends. Anyway, I do occasionally reach out to people and ask if they would like to be sent a sticker no charge for things like that. It's really, you know, keep fans engagement to just kind of show that you know, we're not

07:38 We're not fully out and done yet.

07:48 This thing is a ride is exactly and you know, what we we recently decided to do our first live stream performance. And that was a lot of fun. You know, we did we know some some places or we're still doing shows and sure they could have or maybe not. We're taking the proper precautions during the pain. And as a as a band when you do play a show like that especially during this time that you know, it really reflects your image and we didn't we didn't want any I guess bad publicity or you know, I'm playing a playing the show during this time amongst the music scene, I guess the and also the DIY seen people will

08:46 I want to see Sean you but they'll frown upon it. So we have to be really careful about their decisions were making right now.

08:59 But yeah, we we decided to visit a guest for studios in Chicago and I guess it's a it's Studio really super community-based and there's a lot of awesome different performance is there of all types of genres and we just had an ice cream there a couple weeks ago and it went very well there was a lot of there was a lot of Engagement online people, you know sale reacts asking for more funny thing is though is that when you're doing it when you're performing like that for a live a live audience that's not there physically, you know, they're there watching you on the computer at home around their phone at home. It's just funny cuz you

09:59 The person who played a lot of show when you're done performing, you know, you expect to see, you know a reaction in person and needs to do you remember there's a face. Can you remember this cheering and you remember?

10:14 Yay, I'll just be a father when you're when you're doing that at all at a studio or live streaming from home is nobody there. Yes residence as if as a band again like to be able to perform again in like you have to have a has a sense of purpose again, you know, that's all good and the other band members I know they're all going through their own struggles as well. Then, you know in the back of your mind, you know, you you want your other band members to be happy. Also you want them to feel fulfilled.

11:14 It helped a lot. It helps a lot and made us feel, you know, actually even after the performance. We kind of we kind of got back on track again with things that we plan to do in the future and releasing a full-length album. We actually have made some decisions on you know, where and how we're going to be recording and things like that. So that that's nice. You know, what when is the next time that we're going to do another livestream like that? When's the next time I go play an actual show? You know what we think about a lot. That's what I think about a lot.

12:10 In light of life no life shows, which I think it's it's like a really important part of of making music and like being a musician is to be able to play in front of people and have people there.

12:28 Yeah, I mean, so there's that there was that side of my my life that's faded a little and so now I'm left with what it what do I do with that energy. What do I do with that Creative Energy?

12:52 Well now that you know will probably mention that you know, even with the pain dammit. The pandemic has led my employer to do some life the place where I worked with, you know, we have dispersed directly like impacted being out of it and University. Anyway you I see now that you know since since then the sense being I've done all these different jobs the side jobs and I've been finding myself doing things that I wouldn't have done before wearing them right out and you know, I have this time now to

13:49 Find me what are the skills do I possess that what else? Can I try out? So it since then my cooking has I think I've been practicing a lot of cooking and I could be better if you have been doing a lot of my own and it's another place then.

14:16 But I have a creatively anyting solo wise but I have been texting a lot more, you know, why getting reacquainted with the writing process and you know, cuz after like riding so many songs and Performing all the time you get used to playing the same things over and over again and then but having the time to practice on your own and and play for yourself, it's like real and like real instrument again.

14:51 Yes, do you think like you think maybe during this time that you maybe had more free time to focus on like really sitting down with the guitar playing again, but you sound like new inspiration for your music like you think that there's anything that you've done that you'll take with you to yeah. Yeah. Yeah, definitely. So I've been doing a lot of recording on my own now at home. There's actually like things that I do know is that I'm experimenting with sounds that I hope to introduce done when we all get back together again, you know, you know one of those bad things about being at home and being having all of this Creative Energy that you want to let you and Duff you end up looking for more equipment.

15:51 Handle it from order more gay to buy not you probably.

16:06 Yeah, but

16:10 I try not to go spend so much right now Coleman.

16:23 Trying to find new ways to place of approaching what you're in for a lot of people are so with that in mind, you know, you reach out to those people and ask if they want to collaborate digitally and you know, I've seen a lot of other Musician's Friend.

16:49 A surprise surprise me in and say hey you never guess who I worked with recently. Like I just started making music with so-and-so who lives in in Oklahoma other country and that's that's inspiring to see that I actually myself have been reaching out to people who are far away and say hey with well, maybe we can create during this time another opportunity to create you even recorded stuff with my brother said you was drunk checks in Spaniard Horizon.

17:43 Straight right from you even doing a pen.

17:53 Like what? What what do you think has been the most challenging part during this time for you as a musician or is I mean the castle as a person living through a global pandemic

18:08 You know, I'm not.

18:12 Some days are harder than others dealing with.

18:17 Justyna, the sadness everywhere all around all the time.

18:25 I think what's with the hardest part?

18:29 Is that you know, you don't know how long it's going to be going on for and you don't you don't know how long it is going to be until you know, things are quote on quote back to normal.

18:44 In my mind, I think I think what's a healthy thing to do is just come to terms with this kind of tell you, you know, just just don't even think about how long it's going to be so van devere magical time when things are back to normal. I kind of just disregarded, you know people 2020 is that was a terrible year and can't wait for it to be over. But if you have to kind of, you know, I don't think of it that way because when 2021 comes around and you go all things are still the same guy from the start you up for disappointment.

19:28 Yes being sad still but a few you completely erase that and you go forth with the idea were like well just this is how things are and then it's indefinite. I think I think that better prepares you and set you up for us. You know, I don't know more success changing your outlook change your outlook and a dachshund.

20:00 Yeah, I think that's what's made me more resilient anyway.

20:07 CJ Banks plus what resilience mean to you during this time? So yeah, I would say resilience to me is just

20:19 You know, I don't want to say a ignore the pain. Make it so it's just it's just there, you know, cuz that just makes me even feel like I'm giving the pandemic a deadline, you know.

20:37 But what would I think it would be resilient is is stressed that adapting to the way things are doing this time and finding different ways to keep making music and keep progressing as a musician or as anyone in the Arts.

20:58 Yeah, just keep finding things to keep yourself occupied and eventually you go. I didn't even remember remember that, you know, like it's normal now and I'm fine with it, even though you know if it does come with a lot of

21:30 Span is an absorbent. What happened about you. What's the most challenging part of I like it on a speaker for me. It was he not like graduating with my master's degree in like a cultural like non-profit Community organization has been so difficult to find work.

22:18 So I guess from Jermaine Baskin a challenging things for me that like yeah, that's a priority for me is to be able to start my career and like I want to I want to get started and I kind of feel like that's been pushed back.

22:35 I like you, and I was just trying to find new ways or like just to be open-minded about what what could possibly be an opportunity for me. You know, like in my current role it's not really something that I thought I would be doing, you know likes I supervised first graders who are remote learning.

23:02 Not really what I thought it would be doing when you graduate.

23:15 Yeah, or another cultural organization or something in the Arts and just recently I feel like I feel like I saw you in like looking at ads for you know things that you wouldn't you wouldn't think someone who has a master's would continue a simple the job, but okay.

23:53 But I think I'm just trying to take this out. Looks like I don't know where that's going to take me like it's an open door and I'm still learning and using certain skills there and my filling the pond skills. I think I can take with me into the future and that but that's what's important to me like that and continue to grow to be open-minded about because you never know. You better. Listen resume than what you thought it was you have you think I'm in any way dependent work has helped. How do you write in your in your career path or as I open any doors for you or

24:48 I think some things have happened that I wasn't like expecting.

24:57 Like you do I have I have my job as as as a Youth Development worker, but then I was also fortunate to have this opportunity to be a program manager Ramos Chicago Cultural Alliance experience.

25:18 These new things that yeah. Yeah, there's a whole other side of Education now that I wouldn't have otherwise and I'm looking forward to a dependent area that I would not have previously considered.

25:51 Have there been any silver linings for you during during the other one is just being able to like spend time with you at home.

26:15 Used to come to a lot. So how do you cope with not going to see live music and entertainment? I think just being at the being at home then like that now.

26:45 Can we can experience things at home? Which I guess is one thing even from a personal standpoint. But also you do if you were an organization right now that could be a silver lining is like this idea of accessibility at there any of these museums that have developed like for school tours of their spaces or of an exhibit and that's allowing someone to maybe see that accept that or see that space that otherwise maybe never would have had the opportunity to feel like I think on the same note on a personal level like tonight. We bought a ticket for a concert with a live stream of a concert of this band that like if no pandemic was happening and even if they were Touring that we may not have been able to like to go and see so like yes, I've quite the same as virtual but like I'm so excited. I'm going to get to see them tonight.

27:45 Madison press. So, how are you? Are you are you looking forward to watching a concert via the web?

27:58 I hate him. Yeah, mostly see how it how it turns out. It will be my first time. I guess I wasn't watching your live stream with the largest scale. What's the benefit of watching you?

28:22 Lack of smelling Des fleurs probably very crowded of a band playing live in front of people and I'll go. Wow. Look at all these people like breaking the rules right now. I look how close we used to be to each other and it's almost at the same time.

29:09 A little bit. So you must appreciate that then like by being at home and watching the alarm relax together, but like have fun. We're not only are you watching the performance but I think if you like upgrade, let's just say your your ticket you can be backstage with the band. You can see exclusive footage and maybe even personalized things from from an artist that you like to you.

29:55 Cool things in a way, you know, that's something I think artists should

30:04 Look at how to look into for the future, but I think as a as a consumer there are things that you can think about doing our by now, you know that it'll probably be something bigger in the future. We haven't even considered and I guess that's something about the point that if it's just like the Innovation that's come out of it. All these new ideas. Like like these were two options then yeah, maybe some people were thinking about it. But now it's like at the Forefront of everyone's mind and how can we keep experiencing the things that we like to experience but in a different way. We'll have to keep thinking about new ways to reach listeners than just people in general.

31:04 Memories and Friends

31:09 Well, how was the band America?

31:21 Yeah, I think it's I was saying it's just like this.

31:29 Trying to be open-minded. I just like to persevere I guess and to stay.

31:37 Hopeful but like grounded and what's happening around me until like not lose sight of the fact that this is a whole new world right now, and I'm not totally sure what that's going to look like for me, but if I keep kind of pushing forward

31:59 That'll work out fine in the end when?

32:05 When the endemic have started started and when there was a lockdown exact that I really had me thinking a lot of the of the future of the rest of the year, and I was thinking well, there's probably get going predicted, you know that things were going to be very different from them, and I knew that a lot of plans we're going to have to change, but I had already been preparing the proposed and I think I remember you don't tell me my cell phone. Maybe I Auto

32:46 You know that I just got it just kind of feel like it would encourage me even more just sort of bring you some sort of Joy, especially after Ester graduating and realizing that like we're going to be really tough from then I kind of thought, you know, maybe be a good time. Yeah, and I think it's absolutely was measured really memorable command. And I know that you know, even though it's a time seems to be very depressing and we don't know it's it's uncertain. I wanted to make at least one thing certain.

33:41 Gay married sometime. We don't know what to do.

33:57 I think that little live stream pirate our wedding. I was thinking about live streaming when I propose.

34:05 I would have said to put it in the corner of the screen.

34:12 What's your number for like a lot of things is that?

34:18 Obviously not to dispense like hundreds of thousands of people whose lives will never be the same because of this pandemic and and all the sickness that happened because of it, but that's remember that there are still small moments in people's lives and big moments that continue to happen right like babies being born and people are still getting married life treating engage likes all of this like wonderful things that still happen and I think that's remember those moments of joy.

34:56 Well, thank you so much for

35:00 And the conversation thank you for talking to me.

35:08 Song play