Chapter 1 – Take It From The Top
I love rock and roll. That isn't an exaggeration either, nor is it just a way to shoehorn a reference to a Joan Jett cover, which I adore. I consider record stores, venues, rock clubs, and even rock pubs and bars to be my safe spaces. Music is life, and the world of rock and metal is just extraordinary, that I must be a part of it. I've been around the world for the bands I love, supporting them any way I can. Heck, I even stayed up to 4am so I could get tickets to The Relentless' comeback show in the Roxy! Being Birmingham born and bred, having to get from there to LA in about 40 hours was worth it. That comeback show was fantastic and inspiring, even when Dylan started playing a new song when the rest of the band didn't want to. What a one in a million moment to witness!
The Relentless are one of the bands that do inspire me…but someone does need to take them down a peg or two. Especially Johnny Faust. He has come a long way in life, but certainly seems to take it for granted. I am in the camp that's annoyed Lily left, but there really isn't anything I can do about it myself. Just show Johnny some healthy competition. I explained this to the rest of the band whilst I was waiting in Heathrow via Zoom.
"Well, not gonna lie Carrie, but that seems a little insane." Matt, our guitarist, admitted. He and our bassist, Alyx, used to live in New York and were already living in the loft we rented to move over and really start the band going. They both used to have a band in New York, but they faced shit in the city's music scene. The drummer, Max, and I were coming from the UK, though they were flying over a week later due to their tenancy agreement in their current flat in Camden.
"I dunno, it seems like something fun to do at least." They said. "We're already in it for the music, what's a little goal like that gonna do to hinder us?"
"I'm just saying that maybe we're looking at this a little viciously" Matt argued.
"That is my surname, don't wear it out mind!" I winked into the camera. Matt rolled his eyes. Alyx, next to him, elbowed him when she saw that.
"Don't listen to him, we're looking forward to you getting here. We'll chat more once you've landed." She said.
"It'll be about another 10 hours you realise until I'm with you guys!" I laughed, looking up at the flight board to double check my time. 10 minutes until the gate opens.
"Even so," Matt said, concerned. "as long as you focus on the music. That's the reason you and Max are coming out here."
"I know, I know!" I giggled. "Didn't you get the text, I already sent you the lyrics for the music ideas you sent the other day."
"I'll get on the rhythm tracks before I head out on my flight soon." Max said, twirling their drumsticks between their fingers.
"Sweet. See you all very soon!" I smiled.
"Yin Yang for the win!" Matt shouted.
"Yin Yang for the win!" we all said together. I closed the video call. I noticed some people were staring at me, but it is what it is. I was just excited to share our music with the world soon. I plugged myself in to my Spotify and took my carry-on bags to the gate.
By the time I made it to the gate, boarding had already begun, but I knew being in economy, I would be one of the last called up. I took a seat and almost let myself drift away in the music. Suddenly,
"Seats 45 to 75 please!" I jumped up, ticket and passport in hand, startled, and made my way to the line for seating. Once I got to the front, I handed them to the woman at the desk, who smiled like a Cheshire cat. "Ooh, you've got a good seat. Seems perfect for you, you look like the rock type." She remarked. "You know it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll." I smiled back, politely.
"Yeah, well, same band are on the highway to hell, so I dunno if I'd trust them with geography and navigation." I joked. The woman still smiled widely as she handed back my ticket and passport.
"Enjoy your flight, Rockstar." I replied my thanks, and moved past, though could see she was looking at me as I was leaving. It unsettled me a little, but I forgot about it as soon as I found my seat and was ready to settle into a seat for the next 10 hours of flight. Seatbelt buckled, The Mavens playing on my Spotify at eleven, snuggled down. Yep, I was ready for take-off.
I was jolted awake as the plane began to descend into LAX Airport. I didn't usually find it easy sleeping on flights, but this time it was easy to doze off. I restarted The Mavens playlist I had and prepared to land. The Mavens had to be my favourite band of all time, their song, "I Don't Believe In Love", really hits in the feels. One of my big regrets was deciding not to go to Hit Parader Festival; I've yet to see the band live as they're a small name, but they were added to the line-up last minute, so tickets were sold out before I had the chance to even attempt it. Still, I gave them my support, and paid the expensive shipping costs from the US to the UK to get their shirt and band patch. After waiting an hour in the customs line and checking through that my Visa had gone through, I went to the next desk and handed my passport to the man there.
"So, what are you looking for in the City of Angels?" he said as he examined the photo page. I shrugged.
"I'm just following where the music takes me, I guess. Trying to make the world harmonise."
"Harmony is a beautiful sound. I do hope you find it. Whether heavy or light, I heard there was a secret chord that David played, and it pleased the Lord." He handed my passport back. I just looked at him with curiosity.
"But do you care for music?" He smiled.
"I care for the people who make it. And I'm sure you make it well." He waved me off and I walked to luggage collection. Either I'd listened to too much music at that point, or there was something in the water at airports. Even so, after all the travelling I did, I was just ready to head to bed, so maybe it was my sleepy delusion. I collected my luggage and headed out of customs and into the arrivals gate, waving to Alyx as I spotted her waiting for me. I ran to hug her, finally excited to see her. She helped with my luggage and we entered her car. On the drive to the loft, we chatted non-stop about music, the ideas we had for songs, and mostly just looking at the amazing sights that the city had to offer. As soon as we reached the loft, I saw Matt waiting by the door, hands in his jeans and leaning on the doorframe. I waved at him out the window, he waved back and smiled. Once parked, the two of them helped me get all my stuff into the loft and Matt made me a tea to help me settle into the city. I certainly felt warmer than my old Birmingham flat, but I was ready to start making music. When Matt brought my mug, I swapped it for my lyric ideas. Smiling, Matt took the pages and ran to his room. It wasn't until I took my first sip of tea where I heard Matt come back in with his guitar, playing a very funky riff. As he played, I realised which of the song ideas he was going for.
"Precious and fragile things," I began to sing. "Need special handling; My God, what have we done to you?" I guessed Alyx heard what was happening, because I heard some thumps, and then saw her come out with her bass, jamming out a sick riff.
"We always tend to share things," I continued. "The tenderest of care; Now look what we have put you through." Matt started jamming with Alyx for the chorus, which sounded great, but I sat awkwardly as I hadn't come up with lyrics for that section yet. Alyx noticed the fact I was quiet and stopped.
"What's up, Carr?" I smiled softly.
"That just felt so good. Really, really good." Matt smiled at me as well.
"Well finish that song as soon as you can!" he joked. "There's only so long a riff can stay in my head for!"
"I will, I will!" I giggled. I got up and went to my room, taking my notes with me. I noticed the two follow me in. "Err, guys, is everything ok?"
"Yeah, yeah, all cool." said Alyx, but I was unsure about that answer. I looked at Matt, he knew what I meant.
"Ok, was hoping to let you know once Max got here, but once they arrive," Matt began, "but we've got a meeting with a manager to help get us gigs."
"Oh?" I asked. "Who?"
"Charles" Alyx said. I was stunned. Charles The Band Manager, as many people just knew him as, had a lot of amazing bands and artists under his roster.
"You joking, right?!" I managed to muster. "The man that has Matrix Gilda, Blair's Magic, The Poisons, Kitty Kats; him?!"
"The exact person!" Alyx said with a smile.
"I suggest you get some rest and Max sleeps on their plane ride here." Matt chimed in with. "Don't want you falling asleep in the meeting!" I gave a thumbs up to them both and they headed out. I shut the door behind them and jumped into bed, excited. A meeting with a top manager! I really couldn't believe it. This was something that would help get us gigs this side of the world, maybe even get us a record. I settled into my bed, music ideas circling my brain, excited for what the day would bring. New tours, joining a record label, maybe even touring with bands like The Mavens. Who knows?!