Disclaimer: song Come Down to Me is by Saving Jane amazing artist worth checking out
At 10am on the dot Ashley walked into The Brew and say Taylor at a table in the back. After a quick stop at the counter for her coffee she went to join her. "Morning rock star. I hope I didn't get you out of bed too early." Ashley said with a big smile that made her nose crinkle.
Now that's an amazing smile Taylor thought before answering, "No problem. I had an early morning wake up call in the form of a three year old whispering in my ear, scaring me awake then crying, not me but him after he hit the floor."
"Oh that sounds like an eventful alarm clock. May I suggest investing in one that beeps and either uses batteries or plugs into the wall?" Ashley joked then thought wait she has a kid?
"I do have one of those smart ass but I also have a three year old nephew who loves his McDonalds and Transformers with his Aunty TyTy. I forgot to set my alarm, it was a long night, so instead I got the mini human variety." Taylor said with a loving smile.
Ashley thought good no kid of her own but then wait why do I care. Change of subject quick Ash. "So are all show nights long for you?"
"No last night was special which actually brings me to the big question slash favor I have to ask you Ashley."
"Ok, go on."
"Kyle quit last night. I think and hope he was serious. Anyways this leaves us without a singer because my voice is still shaky. Do you have any interest in singing with us for three shows next weekend?"
"Really? Why me?" Ashley said trying to hide her excitement.
"Well the guys thought this could be a baby step back into the world of performing for you. And you've got vocals that I think would fit well with our sound."
"Taylor you haven't hear me sing. Aren't you jumping the gun a little?"
"Not 100% live true but I've heard the stuff that was recorded for the tribute album. I understand if you would feel uncomfortable or not want to…"
Quickly interrupting, "No I want to. That would be amazing. I just don't want to disappoint you guys or your fans." Ashley said, her insecurity obvious.
"Ashley, you did hear Kyle's attempt at singing right? We only have up to go from him." Noticing Ashley still looked unsure Taylor added, "We get together and practice almost every night. Why don't you come to my place tonight and we'll see how it goes."
Ashley perked up a bit and said, "That sounds good. I'd love to try."
"Great" Taylor said smiling. "I don't want to overwhelm you but here's a book of our songs and some recordings to help you get and idea. Most of the vocals are me so hopefully it'll be easier to follow than our former lead singer."
"This is great Taylor. It'll help me feel a bit more comfortable. Do I need to bring anything tonight?"
"Well if you have any songs of your own you want to try with us you are more than welcome. Think of what you may want to use for a demo. We love trying out new stuff. I've got a piano and plenty of guitars so unless you're particular about an instrument you don't need anything."
"That sounds great. Thank you for this chance."
"No problem Ashley and I would thank the guys if I were you, they suggested you right away. Everything happens for a reason so lets just go where fate takes us. We lose our singer, you want to perform. Easy fix for now."
"Speaking of my wanting to get back into performing, what else do I need to do to re-establish myself?"
"Let's take this one step at a time. First lets get through practice and hopefully the shows next weekend. I do have ideas of where to go from there but lets discuss those in a couple weeks. Ok with you?"
"That's fine. I'll have plenty to keep me busy. Besides the music, my girlfriend is coming back into town for a visit next weekend. She's gonna be so excited."
"Always good to have loving faces in the crowd. Where has she been?"
"She goes to school in Boston."
"Speaking of school, I hate to cut this short but I've got a project due tomorrow and I still have research to do on campus. Let me give you my address so you know where you're going."
"No need." Ashley said quickly. "Remember Kyle's pick scheme. He kindly gave me your address last night."
Taylor laughed. "I completely forgot about that. Well then I'll see you later tonight?"
"Absolutely. Thank you again Taylor for helping me. You don't know how much this means to me."
"Well if things go as I hope, it will be mutually beneficial. See you later."
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While she walked to the library Taylor thought about her meeting with Ashley. It went really well. They seemed to get along well, the opposite of her and Kyle. This could work well for her senior project.
The fact that Ashley had a girlfriend was also great news because she had a feeling the guys were trying to get her and Ashley together. Not that it would be bad, cause Taylor had to admit she was attracted to Ashley. But Taylor felt that most people were attracted to Ashley at first sight. Her looks caught you but her personality kept you there. Way too complicated, simple as that.
It was then that Taylor realized what was strange about the meeting. Where was the super diva bitch she expected? Ashley exhibited no bitchy traits what so ever. She seemed eager to learn the band's songs and even a little shy or afraid. She said she didn't want to disappoint us, that wasn't like a diva. This would be very interesting.
Taylor's thoughts were disrupted by her phone ringing, "Hello"
"Hey Taylor it's Ash. I had a question for you about tonight.""
"Go ahead, shoot." Here it comes Taylor thought.
"What time should I be there? I was wondering how much practice time I had?"
Not what she expected Taylor faltered slightly, "Um, ah the guys usually show up around 5 to eat then stay till whenever."
"Would I be too much of a pain if I came over around 4?" Ashley said hopefully.
"No. Mind if I ask why?" Ok here it comes now, I know it.
"Well I figured if I had trouble I could run through some stuff with you before we put it together with the guys."
"Wow, actually that's.." speechless.
"You seem surprised Taylor. Look this is your band and your songs. I want to make sure I do them justice. I want to make the most of this chance. You don't get a second chance very often."
"I appreciate that Ashley. Come over any time after 2, I should be home. But just give a call before just to make sure."
"Thanks Taylor. See you later."
Taylor was shocked. This is not what she expected from Ashley. Taylor could feel this was the start of something amazing.
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After getting home Ashley had been running through Tabula Rasa's songs for about three hours. It didn't feel like work at all. The songs were so beautifully constructed. The lyrics were amazing and the melodies flowed effortlessly which made them so easy to learn. She wanted to know them inside and out so she made a mental note to ask about why Taylor wrote some of them. She even thought of a few of her own songs that would fit well with the band's style. She couldn't remember the last time she was this excited.
Eager to run things by Taylor, Ashley called her at 2pm. She was home and told Ashley to come over whenever.
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DING DONG
Taylor opened the door, "Hey Ashley come on in. Mi casa es everyone's casa so make yourself at home. Have trouble finding the place?"
Smiling Ashley said, "I actually live only two blocks from here so it was simple. Thank you for the warm welcome."
"Wow easy commute then, that's rare in LA." Taylor joked leading Ashley into the living room where Jay was playing a video game. "Hey buddy five more minutes then you gotta go back home."
"Ok TyTy." He said never taking his eyes off the screen.
"That little person there is the alarm clock I mentioned earlier. I'll introduce you some other time when he's not engrossed in Guitar Hero."
"Gees, he's way better at that than I am. That's crazy. And he's three?"
"Yeah he's on the easy level so not too many buttons to press. He is obsessed with the game. He can and has watched me and the guys play for hours. Anyways let me give you the grand tour of my humble abode."
Ashley thought there was nothing humble about Taylor's loft. She felt like she was watching MTV Cribs. There was a huge kitchen with all new looking stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. The master bedroom and attached master bath were gorgeous. There was a beautiful guest room also with a private bath. The rehearsal area was huge with a full drum set, baby grand piano, keyboard, at least six guitars, a couple basses, a couple violins, an upright bass and even a cello plus right next to it was a state of the art recording studio. Not to mention the living room complete with huge flat screen TV, three different video game systems, and a full size pool table. Only one question popped into her mind, "No offense but how does a college student in a bar band afford all of this?"
"None taken," Taylor laughed. "My dad is a movie producer. He owned this place and used it as his get away from the family place. When Tony, my little brother, found out he was gonna be a dad my mom kicked him out. You know she was ok with having a lesbian daughter, me, but the thought of being a grandma was too much. I guess PFLAG is fashionable and grandma isn't. Anyways Tony and his new wife but long time girlfriend Janessa asked me for help. I talked to dad, he had this place renovated into two apartments with a joint family room and that's it. Everyone's happy."
"Well that's not what I expected exactly. I guess parents footing the bill yeah but I didn't figure you for a rich kid. I've known a lot of rich kids, hell I am one, and you are the total opposite minus the place of course."
"Thank you." Taylor said. "My parents are obsessed with having lots of money not me. I just need a roof over my head and a few musical instruments and I'm all set. For me music is the cure all."
"I understand." Was all Ashley could say.
"So I know you may have questions about our stuff but could I hear something of yours first. I'm curious."
"Sure." Ashley suddenly got nervous.
"Let's go to the rehearsal space instead of here in the studio. Don't be thrown off if I'm plucking at a guitar or something. Unless that will bother you of course."
"No Feel free. If we use it you'll have to know it too."
"Cool. Let me just make sure Jay went home. Be right back."
During Taylor's absence Ashley took her time setting up. She slowly tuned her guitar and played a few chords. A couple deep breaths and she was ready she hoped.
"Alright we are child free for a while."
"Ok this is called Come Down to Me. I wrote this last year when I thought Spencer was going away to school."
"Thought? Didn't you say she goes to school in Boston?" Taylor questioned not meaning to pry.
"Yeah. Guess it's my story time. Last year was crazy. Spence and I were very on again off again. Then we had a break through, I got her mom to go to pride, and we were completely together." Ashley took a second to remember opening the door to Spencer wearing only a coat and heels. "She was trying to decide between going away to school or staying here and going to UCLA. At her graduation party I asked her to move in with me and she said she was gonna go to UCLA. Then in the middle of summer break she tells me she changed her mind and was going to Boston. So now we're trying the long distance thing so she can find her own way."
"Wow that's tough. But for a musician that can be gold. And music works great as therapy."
"I know. I've been writing like crazy since Spence left, it's all depressing but at least I'm writing, getting out."
"That's the best way to look at it. Now stop stalling Davies and let me hear this song."
"Ok here it goes…
Words fall out of my mouth
And I can't seem to trace what I'm saying
Everybody wants your time
I'm just dreaming out loud
I can't have you for mine and I know it
I just wanna watch you shine.
Tripping up on my tongue,
It's all over my face and I'm racing
Gotta get away from you
Burning all the way home
Try to put it to bed but it chases
Every little thing I do
When the light falls on your face,
Don't let it change you
When the stars get in your eyes
Don't let them blind you.
You're beautiful
Just the way you are
And I love it all
Every line, and every scar
And I wish that I could make you see
This is where you ought to be,
Come down to me.
Spell it out in a song,
Bet you never catch on to my weakness
I'm singing every word for you
Here I'm thinking I'm sly
Then you're catching my eye, and just maybe
You're thinking what I'm thinking too
When you see it on my face
Don't let it shake you
I know better than to try and
Take you with me
You're beautiful
Just the way you are
And I love it all
Every line and every scar
And I wish that I could make you see
This is where you ought to be
Come down to me
Come down to me
Ashley immediately looked up to see Taylor speechless. "So was it that bad? I kept waiting for you to just in."
Finding her voice Taylor finally said, "No that was amazing. The lyrics are beautiful and the emotion in your voice nearly brought me to tears, seriously. I could feel every emotion so clearly. I'm in awe."
"Ok very funny, what are you thinking seriously? Is this not gonna work?" Ashley said unsure of herself and a little scared.
"Ashley did you hear anything I just said? I wasn't saying that cause it would just make you feel good. I was speaking honestly, my honest opinion. Are you really that unsure of your talent? Cause there is no reason you should doubt the talent you posses."
"I'm just scared to make a fool of myself. Kyla already did that once for me."
"Ashley. Listen to me very carefully. When music is concerned, forget Kyla. That song was amazing."
"Thank you. Do you think we could maybe play it this weekend. I kinda thought um…"
"Let me finish this sentence faster. You want Spencer to hear this song, right?" Ashley answered with that nose crinkling smile so Taylor continued. "I absolutely want that song performed next weekend. What if we keep it quiet like you just played it." Fear replaced the smile. "Don't worry Ashley. I was thinking you and I on acoustic guitars, give the guys the song off to admire the girls of the band. Let's try it and see how it goes."
For the next hour they toyed around with Ashley's song until they were comfortable with the sound. Then they moved to the studio and recorded it. Taylor knew this could be a huge hit and Ashley's ticket to a big record deal and performances all over the world. It just took one great song to fall into the hearts of millions. Spencer was a lucky girl.
