In the unforgiving New York winter of 1961, a struggling folk musician navigates the Greenwich Village scene in an unwavering quest for artistic recognition. Endlessly couch-surfing and burdened by the absence of his musical partner after a tragic event, the protagonist’s life is a continuous loop of fleeting gigs and personal hardships. Despite his undeniable talent, his path is riddled with setbacks, from the indifferent responses of club owners to the financial precariousness that undermines his dream of producing a solo album. His often-taciturn demeanor is a shield against a world that seems to disregard his aspirations, but his dedication to his craft remains steadfast.

Amid his professional turmoil, personal relationships add layers of complexity to the musician's life. An affair with a friend's wife leads to tension and unanticipated responsibility, compounding his already tenuous financial situation. As he navigates his fragile personal connections, an opportunity presents itself: an impromptu road trip to Chicago in hopes of auditioning for a famed music impresario. The journey is an odyssey laden with colorful characters and reflective interludes, allowing the musician to confront the reality of his circumstances and the specter of his past. Through the encounters, the musician wrestles with the broader implications of his chosen path and what it means to pursue artistic success in the face of relentless adversity.