Sometimes life really gets to us. The pressure to do good, to fulfill expectations is too much, and we just need to let go.
Some people shut themselves off from other people and do something they enjoy; others go screw around with a couple good friends. Still others say nothing and keep going, letting the pressure build. This had two eventual results: either the person rebels, or the person explodes, dangerously and suddenly and even self-destructively.
I tend to do the latter.
"…but I'd fall in to the cold caress of 2 a.m.-"
"New song?" Haley interrupted.
"Oh no, it's nothing," Jude said, heart pounding a little from being caught playing the basement song. "Did you need something?"
"The boys and I were going to get some coffee, you want to come along?"
"Of course," Jude said, grinning. They'd found a coffee shop in the grungier parts of London that attracted the kind of crowd that didn't normally listen to Jude's music. This way Jude could get her caffeine fix without being mobbed.
On their way to the coffee shop, Haley said, "You should work on that song you were playing. It sounded real promising."
"Sir Gary won't like it, I'm sure," Jude said, trying to sound convincing. Jude still wanted to keep the basement song to herself. "After all, I wrote it."
"True," Haley snorted. "Doesn't that get annoying, though? I don't think you guys have recorded a single song in the past two and a half weeks you've been there."
"It's infuriating!" Jude suddenly exploded. Her knightly producer was starting to get to her. "It's like he just hates my music, all of it! I wonder why he was even assigned to me, or better yet, why the label signed me. It's like, nothing I sing is good enough!"
"Sounds like you just need a new producer. Why don't you just ask for one?"
"I'm scared to. I'm new to Burmenzie Records, I have to prove myself! They aren't going to hand me whatever I want on a silver platter, and besides, have you met the company manager? She's fucking scary! I'll get to Sir Gareth eventually," Jude said, trying to convince herself.
"Sure," Haley said. "Whatever. Now let's go get some coffee."
--
"Tommy Quincy's solo album is officially finished!" Jaime yelled triumphantly.
A voice from upstairs rang out, "Jaime darling, could you keep it down? Zeppelin's sleeping."
"Yes Nana," Jaime sighed.
"Dude, you are whipped," Speid taunted. Karma sat next to him, dinking around with a guitar.
"I may be whipped, but I finished Quincy's solo album in under three weeks," Jaime whispered haughtily.
"Be fair, Andrews," Tommy said. "I had to do all that recording, and Kwest stayed way after hours to finish the production. You really didn't do anything for the album." Tommy said this last sentence jokingly. The truth was that he was extremely grateful that Jaime had given him what Darius never would have: a solo career.
"Hey Squinty," Speid piped up. Tommy didn't protest to the nickname. It had become more of a sign of their loose friendship than an insult. "How'd you write so fast? It seemed like everyday you'd come in with a new song, or even two new songs."
"Truthfully, I've been writing stuff for years, just in my spare time. I have tons more written that aren't very good." Tommy was reminded of the night when Jude got home from her tour; she'd made him sit there, half-asleep, while she played all of her new songs. A good portion of the songs had been cut, but quite there were quite a number of songs off Learning Curve that were from that night.
"Well, Quincy, you've done good. We'll release the CD by the end of this week."
"Um, Andrews, that's a bootleg copy you've got there," Tommy said, pointing at the CD in a jewel case. "We still need cover art, and the presses need more than a couple of days to burn the CD's."
Jamie stared at him like he was an idiot. "Tommy, we're an anti-corporate, independent label. We're gonna burn these CD's the old-fashioned way: one at a time, using the computers here, at the studio. As for cover art, we'll snap a photo with the digital camera and crack open Photo Shop. And besides, we're releasing it on the internet first; Itunes, Real Player, Rhapsody; they're all going to have it. And then, depending on it's digital success, we'll see how many copies we should burn."
"Wow, Andrews, the internet is playing a huge part in this," Tommy said, surprised at the efficiency of Jaime's plan. He liked the way Jaime was going about this; it seemed so much more about the music.
"Welcome to the digital age," Jaime retorted, throwing his hands out to the sides in a "look-around-you" gesture. "Where everyone loves the computer"
--
Jude and Lacy Prat were sitting in the studio, waiting for Sir Gareth to get out of his meeting with Miss Smith.
Haley punched Ben's arm lightly, laughing at his boybander impression. Rob started tackling Ben, yelling "Nooo! And we tried so hard!" Jude laughed when a familiar voice interrupted.
"Reminds me of your boys back home," the man said. His voice was distinct; it couldn't be mistaken. Jude turned around.
"Paegan?" she asked disbelievingly. "What are you doing here?"
"The label manger's me mum. She was pretty pissed when I didn't sign at her label, but your sister fixed that. I tell you, that woman is fierce!"
"Miss Smith is your mother? But I thought she wasn't married!"
"She isn't; I'm the bastard son of her and some unnamed rock fellow."
"You say that so calmly," Jude said, shocked.
"'Course. It ain't me fault me mum's the stiffest slut in England." Jude's jaw fell open at his blatant use of the words 'stiff' and 'slut' when describing his mother. He continued. "So you aren't mad at me? You know, for leaving NBR?"
"Nope," Jude said. I get it; you just needed to spread your wings, and NBR wouldn't let you do that."
"Exactly!" he exclaimed. "How's Zeppelin, by the way?"
"Dating Jaime, and last I heard still working at NBR." A thought formed in Jude's head. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, 's long as it doesn't involve screaming fans. I've had enough of those on tour," he grinned.
"Talk to your mom; get me a new producer. The knight and I don't work well together."
"Anyfing for an old mate," he said, bowing. "By the way," he called over his shoulder. "Sadie said to tell you World Instant Star will be in London starting this Friday. I saw the woman in Egypt; she never takes a breath." With that, he walked out. Rob, Ben and Haley sat, gaping. Finally, Rob piped up.
"You know Paegan Smith?"
"Yeah, we both used to work at G-Major, my old record label." Ben just shook his head.
Jude looked over his shoulder at Haley, who nodded. Jude mentally counted to three and started tackling Rob while Haley mercilessly tickled Ben.
--
Sadie was in her hotel room in London, awaiting the call that was sure to come. She'd asked Darius for time off to visit Jude.
The phone rang then, and Sadie answered, "Sadie Harrison speaking."
"Sadie!" Darius boomed, catching Sadie by surprise. She hadn't expected Darius to be so loud.
"Darius! Glad you called," she said excitedly; she'd finally get to see Jude again. Sure, it had only been a month, but Sadie was too used to having Jude around. Besides, who knew when they'd get the chance to see each other again? "Did I get the time off?" she asked hopefully.
"No way!" Darius yelled. "I can't believe you'd even think of that! You've got a job to do, Harrison."
"Darius, come on! I've been working non-stop for the past month; I deserve this time off."
Darius paused for a second. "Would you make it worth my while?" he asked.
"What?!" she screeched. That scumbag! She wasn't a whore.
"You heard me." She could practically hear him smirking. "You… repay me, or you're stuck working for the entire time we're in London."
"Sleazebag! You know what Darius, I've been your monkey for too long, and you just took it too far! My contract ended two days ago. I quit!"
"Then pack up and get out of this hotel. Don't forget to leave the company credit card."
She simply hung up and started packing.
--
"Jude," Miss Smith greeted briskly. "I hear you and Sir Gareth are having problems in the studio. You most certainly have, and I've seen it." Jude exhaled in relief; she was getting a new producer. "You haven't released a single yet, nor have you made a song yet. I think we both know what the problem is." Jude nodded. Sir Gareth was all wrong as a producer. "You haven't written a single decent song yet."
"What?" Jude asked incredulously. She'd thought the woman was on her side.
"Yes," the woman said. "Jude, we need to release a single, fast. The basement song would be perfect, I'm sure. No one's heard it, but everyone wants to. Record it, release it, and then we'll talk." Miss Smith waved her hand in dismissal as she did so often.
"No," Jude said, voice low. "The basement song is staying in that basement. The problem isn't me, it's-"
"Stop making excuses, Miss Harrison. You'll record and release the basement song, or you'll lose your contract."
"Fine!" Jude shouted. "I guess I'm fired!" The woman blinked at her in surprise.
"Well then, goodbye Miss Harrison. I can't say it's been a pleasure."
Jude stormed out, Sir Gareth smirking at her.
--
Jude was sitting in her apartment, staring at the (now clean) floor, when she heard knocking on the door. She cracked it open to find Sadie, several suitcases at her feet.
"You know, it costs extra to bring more than one suitcases on a flight these days," Jude stated. Sadie nodded.
"You got room for one more… for a while?"
Jude nodded, opening the door wider. "Come in."
If Sadie's phone conversation with Darius makes no sense or seems sudden, I ask you to refer back to the what Darius was using World Instant Star for, according to Kwest in London Calling.
I'm really happy with how Tommy's solo album is being released; I really thought it was time for the industry to be modernized and made more world-weary in Instant Star. This is a real way to release a CD: When my Dad released his CD, he started on Myspace, payed a company to burn 100 or so copies, and put the CD on CD Baby, which puts it on Itunes and such.
Oh, I can't wait for the next chapter! I'll say only this; Someone hasn't seen Big Ben in too long, or so he tells NBR's label manager.
And I want to see at least one review saying "Go Sadie!" or something along those lines, because I am very proud of Sadie in this chapter.
-breezy