We were lucky to catch up with Sofia Pipolo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sofia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I was taking a break from my career path in film production and journalism. At that time, I started taking my camera to local concerts to photograph bands and build a portfolio. I knew I had all these production and editorial skills, so when I was ready to return to that work, I decided I wanted to do it for myself – start my own zine and brand.

I began asking bands what they needed. The answer was always, “Better promoters and better bookers.” So that was my thought process moving forward. My idea was to create a zine, move away from short online content, and create a sustainable, quality publication for people to collect. I wanted to showcase local bands, artists, photographers, and organizations, and connect all these different creative people to facilitate collaboration among them.

When I began working on the first issue, I had to figure out how to distribute it. So I put together a free DIY house concert; instead of tickets at the door, people could buy the zine. That first show was so successful – not only did bands attend, but also the illustrators and photographers who were published, the zine advertisers, and many people from the music scene. It was the start of a genuinely diverse and collaborative creative community. I knew I was doing something right. So I began working to produce more DIY concerts.

Ultimately, The Eel Pit zine is a grounding point for the booking company. The Eel Pit name lends itself to the idea of the underground music scene, where all different creative creatures co-exist in this ever-changing ecosystem in NYC.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

The Eel Pit is a DIY zine and booking company based out of Brooklyn, NY, showcasing independent bands, artists, photographers, and community organizations.

Since January 2024, The Eel Pit has published four issues of the print zine and hosted 11 concerts and events, building a diverse and sustainable real-world community. We published are 52+ pages of original content in print only. Each issue is launched at a free DIY release concert. The goal is to bring people together to connect with different facets of the music scene beyond the online space.

A big motivation for this focus on real-world community is how quickly the music scene changes here in NYC, venues and DIY spaces are constantly opening and closing their doors, bookers can be challenging to work with, and money gets funneled to parent corporations. We need a strong community and capable and dependable leaders to keep the scene thriving and growing. The Eel Pit is hands-on, providing bands and artists with the resources, support, and audience they need to have a great show!

As The Eel Pit expands, I am working with bands to promote their shows and new albums, collaborating with other booking companies, and creating custom and exclusive art and merchandise.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

How can I expect anyone to show up for me if I don’t show up for them?

I go to shows and events constantly. Not just with the intention of networking, which is obviously a goal when going anywhere, but to show up to support and enjoy my time. People can tell when you are just trying to get something out of them- especially in NYC. That is not what The Eel Pit is about. It’s about mutual exchange, support, and collaboration.

Mostly everyone I work with, I have met in real life. While I do network a lot online, mainly through Instagram, I always try to meet people in person before moving forward with a project. It allows me the chance to get to know the other person and for them to know me and ensure. our ideas, attitudes, and values align. While I could work to build my following quicker with online and social media hacks and trends, I choose not to. I want people to know me, and I want to know the people I am connecting with.

My hands-on support and consistent work for and with others is what has given me a strong reputation in the music scene in a relatively short time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My first two zine release shows, in January and June 2024, were hosted at a DIY space in Brooklyn called Scully’s Den. The people from that space had been hosting shows there for around seven years. Only a month after that second show, Eel Pit 2, Scully’s Den building was sold, and the landlord had essentially evicted the tenants.

It was a significant loss for the DIY music community. Losing an accessible space to host free shows, where many bands could have their first concert in front of an excited audience of music lovers. A space that completely welcomed and supported me when I had no experience running a show.

The Eel Pit was resilient! Without the strong real-world community I had created with those first shows, we would have never been able to come back just as strong if not stronger, for our next show at a different space. DIY spaces come and go. We need strong and dedicated community leaders, artists, and audiences to rebuild that energy in another space.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sofiapipolo.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_eelpit/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-pipolo/