The Empty Pockets cofounder Josh Solomon shares how the band built an independent, direct-to-fan career — mailing more than 100,000 CDs, growing a community outside traditional industry gatekeepers, and turning those relationships into sold-out rooms, Billboard-charting albums, and a sustainable music business.

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Chicago roots-rock quartet The Empty Pockets showcase the improvisational side of their music in a live performance of “Eat the Rich,” recorded in Glasgow.

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We got into joining a band that already had years of history and a married couple at its core, why he stripped his kit down to a three-piece setup and never looked back, and what it was like tracking the new record live in one room at Abbey Road Studio 2.

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The Empty Pockets bassist Nate Bellon reveals what it really takes to track "Dear Billionaires" inside Abbey Road Studio 2, ditch amplifiers and pedals entirely for a fly-ready Neve DI rig, and survive 120 shows a year with zero road crew.

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“It’s like becoming an astronaut to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to go have Taylor Swift’s career.’ It’s absurd… What I want more than anything else, which we have a lot of, is freedom. We make enough money to get by, but we can do whatever we want.”

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Premiere of the second single from Dear Billionaires, recorded live at Abbey Road Studio Two.

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Erika and Josh preview three Dear Billionaires songs live in WGN Radio’s Studio A.

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"The Empty Pockets arrive at Dear Billionaires after years of split duty, making their own records as a Chicago four piece while working as Al Stewart‘s backing band on the road. Their new album was recorded in two days at Abbey Road’s Studio 2 with the title comes from three songs that turned up on the record without anyone planning it that way. “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,” “Eat the Rich” and “Dearest Billionaires,” and the anger at the very top of the wealth ladder that runs through the record. Josh Solomon (guitar), Erika Brett (keys), Nate Bellon (bass) and Adam Balasco (drums) talk through the record, and their relationship with Al Stewart, who has said farewell to touring the UK not to playing with them altogether..."

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"Erika Brett & Josh Solomon of ‘The Empty Pockets’ sit in with S&J to discuss their new song ‘Serrated,’ inspiration during car troubles, and much more..."

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A 27-minute full-band interview about songwriting, the "Live in Buffalo" album, and recording at Abbey Road.

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