The First Ten Years — A Levi The Poet Documentary

The First Ten Years is a passion project that became a reality in the winter of 2019, when my (Levi’s) phone rang and I answered “Hello?” to an unknown number from one Alex Zarek — a name I recognized from probably every show I ever played in Chicago during this decade’s worth of touring years.

“I hear you’re working on a book… what if I shot a documentary to go along with it?”

A few months later, Alex was in my home, meeting my friends and family, visiting my childhood houses and middle school playground and drinking Blue Moon in a town with (apparently) too much better beer to know what to do with…

The plan was to release this in some sort of conjunction with the release of my book. The planet, however, thought otherwise.

Alex shot more footage than I’d ever know what to do with, and spent God-knows-how-much-time editing it down to something beautiful over the course of the years between then and now. This documentary was entirely his idea, his time, his money, his expertise, his generosity, his love.

As I sit here the night before we start to make it available to the world, typing this sentence, I’m struck by the realization that I likely won’t know how grateful I am for this gift until much later in life — perhaps when some future iteration of myself (or my children — who knows?) has a chance to reflect on what a miracle it actually is to have an entire career (in many ways, with you included: a communal becoming) documented with the kind of care you’ll see here.

It’s a gift alright, at any rate, and I believe it will be that for you, too.

The “Levi The Poet” people…? You’re not just some casual listeners. We grew up together. We were the same age when I started performing. We were (are) figuring life out together.

That’s what what this is about. These aren’t my years.

These are our years.

Thanks Alex,

Levi

P.S. Stoked to see you at the premiere.

We’re going to give a percentage of all sales to To Write Love On Her Arms.

The poem “It’s All Worth Living For” — in all actuality — would not have ever existed if they hadn’t asked me to write something for their NSPD “Stay” Campaign over five years ago now.

Hell, a lot of us might not exist anymore at all if it weren’t for the work that they’re accomplishing in the world.

Words can’t express how thankful I am for my friends at TWLOHA — founder included (What’s up, Jamie!). What better work is there to do in the world than to keep on telling people:

Your story matters. Keep going. It is all worth living for.