Inside the PinVault with Aaron Silvers and Matthew Forslund

INSIDE THE

WITH AARON SILVERS AND MATTHEW FORSLUND

Interview by Dave Combs Images courtesy of PinVault

I met Aaron and Matthew several years ago when we were all working day jobs at the same company. Aaron was the head of the art department in which I worked and Matt was the tech guy who made the computers

and network run smoothly. I was happy to finally catch up with them about the side project they do together with several other people, a pinball arcade tucked away in a large vault in the Murphy Art Building in historic Fountain Sqaure, Indianapolis. Let’s go inside the PinVault with them and hear what they have to say.

33

I make all the machines go. Acquire new ones that need work. Troubleshoot any problems. – Matt

Can you each tell us what you do at your day jobs? Aaron: I manage the art department for a wholesale large format digital printing company.

Matt: I sleep in the daytime! I’m a night nurse.

One of your combined side projects is running PinVault. What does each of you do for that? Aaron: I play a few roles in the PinVault. I’m the door-person and grant people access to the PinVault when we’re open (that is my favorite role!). I also work with creating graphics and the signage, act cool, sweep and mop the floor, and hold the flashlight while Matt works on machines.

34

Matt: I make all the machines go. Acquire new ones that need work. Troubleshoot any problems. Keep them clean and waxed. Teach people how to play.

Can you tell us a little more about PinVault? Aaron: The PinVault is a unique place to play pinball. Access ain’t exactly easy, but I’d say it’s worth it ;) The whole thing started from a need to store pinballs somewhere and then to have people have access to those machines. It’s really grown organically from there with the whole pinball scene in Indianapolis.

Matt: It’s a hole-in the wall pinball bar with a speakeasy feel. We strive to keep the machines in impeccable shape and have tons of fun.

In addition to you two, how many other people help make PinVault happen?

Aaron: There’s a core five of us that “run” PinVault and then outside that, there is an innumerable amount of people that help and support us! None of us make money from this. Without everyone’s help, we wouldn’t be able to do it. It’s everyone that’s leant us guest machines, brought beers for tap, that have tended bar, and everyone that comes out to support us and that has sought us out and found us!

Matt: There are officially five of us. We each bring a different set of skills to make this possible. Sam handles the suds and picks up the slack with repairs and technical stuff I have no idea how to do like practical electricity and tap lines. Tad is our A-list tiltle guy and manages the strange relationship with us and the building mgmt. Jon handles our amazing art, leagues, and keeps track of lots of little stuff to keep us rolling. Tons of people help out though. My wife works the bar alot.

Our friend Nate runs the bar and helps out alot. Other pinball people in Indy are kind enough to share pins with us, so we have a rotating selection of guest machines.

Why do you do PinVault? Aaron: I love the pinball and the pinball people. Over the last couple years pinball has really grown in Indy and I’ve been super happy to be part of that. I’ve also met so many great people through doing the PinVault.

Matt: I like drinking beer and playing pinball with strangers. Indianapolis has been a dead zone for pinball for a long time. It’s been great helping to bring it back. It’s also important to me to share machines with people. There are tons of collectors with basements full of hoarded machines. That doesn’t really jive with me. I think they are meant to be shared and played by everyone.

35

I like being part of a community... and helping run a space that people... can come together in. – Aaron

What’s the best part for you personally about doing PinVault? Aaron: For me personally I like being part of a community that I originally didn’t know existed and helping run a space that people of that community can come together in.

Matt: Pride in my work. Tons of free beer. How important is it in your opinion for adults to play and have fun?

Aaron: Oh, I’d for sure say that it’s very important. In my life I’ve seen people that as they grow older and have families and responsibilities that they forget to play and have fun and then in forgetting don’t think that’s what people of their age are supposed to do. I try and be an example that you don’t have to grow up and stop playing and having fun.

Matt: Very?

Where do you see PinVault going in the future or what’s next? Aaron: Maybe… gambling? That hasn’t tarnished pinball or made it illegal in the past, has it? The growth of the PinVault has been a very casual sort of thing. Main goals are to acquire more machines and grow the scene by interacting with others. We basically take what opportunities are brought before us and run with those.

Matt: We are just staying the course and slowly making it nicer. Getting better machines and cooler lighting

How can people find out more about Pin- Vault or get in contact with you? Matt: We currently just run everything out of our Facebook page. It’s kinda fun to just keep it mostly word of mouth.

More at: facebook.com/Pinvault

36