Chapter 568: Red Bedroom Records
Wednesday, March 1st, Morning
Her assistant walked behind her, trying to keep up with her. After a moment, she looked at a painting that hung on the wall. After a brief moment, she turned to look at the door. Her meeting sat at the table; after a minute, she took a deep breath and turned to her assistant.
"I'll handle this by myself," Haley said.
"Okay, Mrs. James-Scott," the assistant said, handing Haley a folder.
"Thank you, and hang close to your phone," Haley said.
"You're welcome, and yes, I will, Mrs. James-Scott," the assistant said.
Haley took a deep breath, clenched the folder tight, and opened the conference room door. Walking towards the head of the table, she stepped closer to where the young woman sat. Haley put the folder down and looked at her. The young woman sat at the other end of the table from where she stood. Haley nodded and knew she was only 5'2", slight of build, had brown hair, and green eyes.
From across the table, the young woman stood up and offered her hand. Haley took her hand and shook it.
"Hello, Ms. Wolfle; thank you for coming in," Haley said.
"You're welcome, and thanks for having me, Mrs. James-Scott," Anwen "Anya," Wolfle said.
"Please, sit down," Haley said and took her seat. Anya took a seat opposite Haley. They looked at each other.
"Thank you," Anya said.
"Would you like something to drink, coffee, water, anything?" Haley asked.
"No, I'm good, Mrs. James-Scott," Anya said.
"You requested this meeting, so what would you like to meet about?" Haley asked.
Anya nodded, "As you know, I am an independent musician and have had several successful singles," she said.
"You are," Haley said.
"Several labels are looking to sign me," Anya said.
"I see, and you want to be on RBR," Haley said.
"When I was younger and working with your son, Brian, he always had positive things to say about your label," Anya said.
"Even though we dismissed him from the label," Haley said dryly.
"Yes, he said you and the label went out on a limb for him, that gave him his start, and he pissed it all away being a fool," Anya said.
"I would hardly believe Brian would use the term fool," Haley said.
"He actually said he was a fucking ass," Anya said.
"That sounds more like him," Haley said.
"So, you're Haley James-Scott," Anya said.
"Yes, I am," Haley said.
"I grew up listening to your music; my parents were such big fans," Anya said.
"Thank you," Haley said.
"Brian told me you used to bring him to the studio, especially when you were in Detroit," Anya said.
"Yeah, I did," Haley said.
"Wow! That's so cool!" Anya said.
"So, let's talk business instead of about me, now," Haley said.
"Alright, let's," Anya said.
"What do you expect to bring to RBR?" Haley asked.
"I bring something different; you and the label have two extremes, you have the singer-songwriters, in you, Chris Keller, Mia Catalano, and that album you put out for Alex Dupre. But you have the other extreme with Gothic Serpent and Nordwind. Tacit Blue, your newest act, is closest to that middle. I would bring the gap," Anya said.
"I see, and how do you expect to do that?" Haley asked.
"By making the best music, I can," Anya said.
"I see; you know we still do albums, even though we mostly do digital releases," Haley said.
"I'm not used to doing albums," Anya said.
"I see; you're not used to doing twelve good songs?" Haley asked.
"I could," Anya said.
"We use Chris Keller as one of our producers. Do you have an issue with him?" Haley asked.
"Why should I?" Anya asked.
"Because of his past," Haley said.
"I prefer not to work with him," Anya said.
"I understand," Haley said, "You are based and work in Los Angeles."
"That's true," Anya said.
"We prefer most of our new acts to work downstairs," Haley said.
"Downstairs?" Anya asked.
"There is a studio downstairs, Punk'd and Disorderly Studio. Our new artists work down there," Haley said.
"Why do you?" Anya asked.
"Our choice, but it's also cheaper. That way, you spend less money," Haley said.
"What?" Anya asked.
"You want the cold hard lesson in economics; most musicians lose money on their first few albums. They become slaves to the label. We don't want that here, so we're selective in who we sign," Haley said.
"Sounds perfect," Anya said.
Haley reached over to the phone and clicked a few buttons. "Yes?" Jen Parker asked on the other side.
"Please, come to conference room two," Haley said.
"Be right there," Jen said.
"Thanks, Jen," Haley said.
"Who was that?" Anya asked.
"My VP of Marketing," Haley said.
"Why did you call her in?" Anya asked.
"I need to hear her opinion," Haley said.
"Okay," Anya said.
Haley heard the door unlock before the door opened, and Jen Parker stepped in. Jen had her black and red founder pass visible as she walked in.
"Why do the doors lock and unlock when you walk by?" Anya asked.
"The security system is keyed to our passes which gives us permission to certain doors," Haley said.
Jen smiled and looked at Haley. "Haley, you wanted to see me," Jen said.
"Yes, Jen, this is Anya Wolfle," Haley said, "Anya, this is Jen Parker, the VP of Marketing."
"Hi, Anya," Jen said.
"Hello," Anya said.
"Anya is interested in signing with us. She's had some success as an indie; what do you think about marketing?" Haley said.
Jen nodded and made a face. "Not hearing her music and understanding its message, I can't really make a plan," she said, "But and I hate to do it this way, but without more of a feel, it will have to use her looks."
"That's not how I want to be marketed," Anya said.
"I don't want to do it that way, either; I just don't know anything about you and your music," Jen said.
Haley nodded, "Anya, do you have some time?" she asked.
"A little," Anya said.
"Jen, show Anya around for a tour especially listen to her music, and let me know how you would market her," Haley said.
"Yes, Haley," Jen said.
"When you're done, we'll talk and go from there," Haley said.
"Yes, Hale," Jen said and turned to Anya, "Please follow me, Ms. Wolfle."
"Okay," Anya said.
Anya got up, and Jen. Haley sat there and pulled over the folder which held a contract.
