José Cándido Remié is the son of Haitian immigrants whose earnestness causes him to frequently divulge the loneliness in his life. “They always think a musician is a happy person,” he says. “On stage, this might be true, but home, solitude is not a good counselor.”

He leads a dynamic and active life, riding his bicycle around Santa Clara, cleaning his house on all fours, and dedicating himself to regular Tai Chi practice. Twice divorced and never fully satisfied with his career as an artist, José blames music, which he could never forgo, for his inability to keep a relationship. He supports his children and grandchildren by working as a night-watchman.

Through photographs and magazine clippings, he speaks nostalgically and purposefully about his lust for life. Over the course of The Oldies, we watch as José Cándido frees himself from his emotional burdens and finds joy in the music he always wanted to perform.