Behind Road (S)trip
I arrived back in LA on a Saturday after a spontaneous two-week trip home to Oregon. I was finding myself unable to stay in LA for any length of time. I’d set my bags down, and instantly start figuring out how and where I was going to next. Los Angeles didn’t feel like home. A feeling I’d never felt before or thought I’d feel. The city around me was changing quickly, and it was hard to recognize. All the things that made me love this place were gone. My purpose here became unclear. I started thinking of life elsewhere, and how the fuck us live performers were ever gonna get back on stage. I racked my brain with different virtual show ideas, ways we could make it work, ways we could monetize, nothing seemed satisfying. Only thing I knew was LA was over, at least for now.
“I miss you! When are you back?” A text from Alyssa. I told her I had been back a couple days and we made plans to hang out. I was feeling ready and inspired, hoping Alyssa would be on the same page. After a few margaritas, and some adderall, she was, and Road (S)trip was born.
We woke up the next day, a little hazy from the night before. Unsure of the madness we mustered up, we looked at each other, got out our calendars and said, okay where to first. We planned everything in about two weeks including six confirmed shows, a pitch deck, three sponsorships, our first two episodes, and a whole lot of skills we didn’t have prior.
When there’s no stage, make one.
Road (S)trip: The story of a one-in- a-lifetime journey against the backdrop of a new reality during a global pandemic, of two artists trying to figure out how the show must go on.
All 10 episodes are filmed, directed, produced, and edited by myself and Miss Marquez, and some very special helping hands that are credited in each episode. It was important to us that the project represented the limited resources available to us during COVID. It takes an empire. I want to thank everyone who offered us a hand, a place to stay, an idea, a song to use, sponsorship, or just straight up encouragement. Road (S)trip is a project that has defined me as a person and a performer and most of all, I now have a life-wife, Alyssa aka Miss Marquez, I love you! Thank you for believing in me and believing in us. I’m proud of how we’ve reimagined our careers. It’s pretty fucking cool we’ve found a way to keep the show going. I have no idea what’s next, but I’m looking forward to continuing this journey!
Behind-The-Scene photos below!
