This episode of The Real Stuff is a really special one for me. I’m sitting down with my older brother, Rob Fink, and two of his best friends, Lukas Effman and Alex Goldstein — the three guys behind the indie folk-pop band, East Love. If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you already know their music: East Love’s song Rolling Stone has been the intro music to this podcast since day one!

You can listen to their new single “Never Mine” on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/5a1ncej7fWKv0Bk8o5Do3z

In this conversation, we go all the way back — from growing up together and the boys meeting in elementary and middle school, to forming a band in high school that somehow turned into a 20-year creative partnership. Today, all three of them are in their mid-30s, with kids, full-time careers, and families... and they’re still making music together.

We talk about what it actually looks like to balance a passion project with adult life, why they chose not to pursue music full-time, and how East Love has stayed together when so many bands fall apart. We get into friendship, creative fulfillment, choosing stability, and redefining what success looks like outside of the traditional music industry grind.

They also open up about songwriting and vulnerability, including the story behind East Love’s newest single “Never Mine,” which is based on a real heartbreak from Rob’s college years, and how writing that song years later helped him process it in a completely different way.

This episode is about music, but it’s also about long-lasting male friendships, growing up together, and building something meaningful that evolves as your life does. It’s warm, nostalgic, funny, and honestly one of my favorite conversations I’ve had on this show.

If you’ve ever wondered how a band survives adulthood, or how to keep creativity alive while building a full life, this one’s for you.

🎶 Listen to East Love on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xGSNh06Su9UthAz4o1cvM

Sponsors:

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Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story.

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone.

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod

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