On July 7th, British singer-songwriter Lucy Rose released her new album, Something’s Changing. Alongside the 11-track LP, which includes singles “Floral Dresses” feat. The Staves, “Is This Called Home,” and “No Good At All,” Lucy released a mini documentary, which follows the 28-year-old singer during her 2016 Latin American tour. In the spirit of DIY culture, Lucy visited countries across South and Central America arranged and supported solely by the fans that booked the venues and welcomed her into their homes. Lucy is currently on a Cinema Tour worldwide, screening the doc and performing songs from Something’s Changing—if you can’t catch her live, watch the film here and be sure to keep an eye out for these takeaways.

Devising new and innovative ways of connecting with fans pays off.

Throughout the film, Lucy discusses the direct impact that social media has had on her relationship with fans. The Latin American tour came to be when Lucy posted about the idea to tour based purely on fan interest. Paula, from Porto Alegre, for example, was one such fan who responded immediately, deciding she’d figure out how to book a gig and get Lucy to her city. There’s also a special moment where, Lucy reads a Facebook message from a fan thanking her for visiting Uruguay, and addressing the social media platform that connected them. Though it’s commonplace for celebrities to reach out to their fans via social media, Lucy takes the connection to a whole new level forging relationships that go beyond the screen.

Adapting to a new environment is a challenge for anyone.

Anyone watching the film can relate to the feeling of being out of his or her comfort zone. At the onset of the tour, Lucy is anxious about staying with her fan, Daniella, and worried that she won’t arrive at the airport to pick her up, while also conscious of the language barrier. She admits, “…everyday there was some sort of hurdle to overcome… which is why it was rewarding….” and learned to be more flexible, citing moments where she played acoustically if amps weren’t working, and attempting to learn Spanish during one of her homestays. However, throughout the film, we see that music is a universal language that overcomes cultural barriers. Lucy notes that seeing hundreds of fans at each show singing along to her songs made it all worth it.

It’s tough to be a female singer-songwriter in a competitive industry.

When it comes to being a female singer-songwriter in the music industry, Lucy speaks candidly, revealing, “there’s a lot of pressures to be something that I’m certainly not.” She differentiates herself by developing genuine and personal relationships with fans who help encourage her to be authentic through her music and lyrics.

Music brings people together.

Physically in a venue, through an online platform, or conversation, music connects us all. Lucy comes to a revelation that “music is actually more than music, for most people in the world…it’s saved them in some sort of way,” following an interaction with a fan who explained that Lucy’s relaxing music helps her overcome her recurring panic attacks. The film highlights the healing power of music, as each individual has his or her own personal interpretation and connection. “When [we’re] feeling really down, [we] can plug in, [we] can put our headphones on” and feel better, she explains. Lucy’s joy in being a part of the potential healing power of music is thrilling to observe.

Lucy’s fans gave her a new perspective.

Throughout the film, Lucy debunks the myth that often times, your most loyal fans are your craziest. She explains that personally meeting fans gave her the confidence and reassurance she needed to write Something’s Changing, as they helped her grow as an individual, whether it be adapting to new cultural norms, living arrangements, and foods, and teaching her to put her success into perspective. She closes, “I’m probably the most excited I’ve ever been about making music in my life.”

Tickets for Lucy Rose’s upcoming Cinema Tour can be purchased here.