Chapter 692: Club TRIC - Later Music

Monday, March 13th, Afternoon

Staring at the screen, she looked at Brian playing in a local coffee shop. The memories of some of her popup shows and when she first met him face to face, in that coffee shop with Gabi by his side. Anya Wolfle shook her head and listened to Brian playing his last song, a cover of Robert Johnson's Hellhound on My Trail.

"During the hiatus, Brian would find nothing to guide him; he was adrift. Someone suggested, many believed it to be Gabi, that he get back to the basics, him a guitar, and his voice," Felicia said in a voice-over.

Paislee appeared on the screen. "It took a while, but soon the word got out about Brian playing these open mic nights and coffee houses. Soon it was buzzing throughout LA. Some people called it his next act, while others said he was getting back to the basics. I will never know whatever it was, but he did put a few tracks online, and they moved a bit," she said.

The screen is filled with images of Brian playing with his kids and Gabi on the beach. There were some in the backyard of the rented house, with Brian playing guitar, Lennon by his side, and a fire pit.

Candi appeared on the screen. "I caught one of his coffee house gigs. By accident, really, my roommate and I went for coffee. Lo and behold, there is my cousin playing guitar. He was playing Guano Apes Open Your Eyes, me and my roommate sat down and listened. Brian and I made eye contact; after his set, he came over, and we talked. He seemed to be in a good place," she said.

Some images showed Brian with his kids, Gabi and Rachel. Rachel appeared on the screen and shook her head.

"Brian was getting himself into a good place. He seemed healthier, growing into a man. He and Gabi liked to take the kids to this beach, Dockweiler in Playa Del Rey. He would play with the kids and sometimes even play his guitar, making up silly songs for Lennon and Lacy," Rachel said.

Dell appeared on the screen. "I heard Brian was doing the solo acoustic thing, so I decided to check it out. Brian was always better live and seemed to be happy, enjoying himself, and healthy," Dell said, "We talked after the set, and he mentioned he wanted to try his hand at producing other artists."

Rachel returned to the screen. "I think both Gabi and Brian missed North Carolina, friends, and family. Gabi had mentioned to me several times they talked about coming home for at least a visit. I think Brian wanted to make amends with his parents," she said.

Anya saw herself on the screen. "Brian reached out to me through email; it seemed Brian found some of my songs I posted on social media. He liked what he heard and shared them on his socials, helped drive people to my stuff, and drove my views up. What happened was we exchanged DMs and later emails, and eventually, he started advising me on production and writing. This led to him and me working on some songs together," she said.

There were images of Brian and Anya together. Sometimes in coffee shops, one of them even busking. Others played music, talked, wrote, and even had fun in his practice space. Anya remembered many of those times fondly.

Paislee appeared on the screen. "Brian finding Anya was the elixir he needed. He healed enough independently, and the universe provided the next stage. They were working and making solid music. Brian's experience, with Anya's youth and enthusiasm, helped make this great music," she said.

Dell appeared on the screen. "I heard some of the stuff Brian and Anya were doing online. Through the grapevine, I heard they were playing at a small club, so I went there. They were great, and even played an old Mental Lapse song, one that was a duet with Brian and Kat from the first album," he said, "I greeted them after the show and congratulated them."

Kat appeared on the screen. "Of course, I've heard what Brian was doing with Anya. Nordwind often passed through Southern California. On a tour stop, Arne and I took in a show Brian was doing, and I was impressed," she said.

A video of Brian and Anya came on the screen. They were playing on stage and singing. Anya remembered this gig; Brian had called it a tune-up for her recording sessions for her first EP. Anya appeared on the screen.

"Our studio sessions became my EP; we called it after me. I wanted something like Alpha Wolf or Huntress to play to my last names. Brian said no, this is your introduction to the world, and we need your name out there, front and center, in the lights," Anya said.

There were new images of Anya signing copies of the EP after a show. In the background, Brian and Gabi were sitting, taking it all in. Brian looked happy as Anya signed the EPs and sold them. Anya nodded and thought about what Brian had taught her. Anya smiled at the memory.

Paislee appeared on the screen. "Brian bringing his experience in DIY to Anya enhanced her. Once she got the EP out, it was telling. Anya Wolfle was a great introduction to her online. It even produced a minor streaming hit, La Di Die, in which Brian sang the male parts. It was a nice touch putting the phonetic pronunciation of Anya's last name, Wolf-Lee," she said.

Images appeared on the screen of Brian and Anya—many of them in pleasant moments that could be seen as intimate. Paislee reappeared on the screen.

"It was Brian Scott, of course; there were rumors he was in a relationship with Anya," Paislee said.

Anya appeared on the screen. "No, I didn't fuck Brian Scott, I was eighteen, and he was respectful. He told me why he helped me; he said life is in thirds, the first is about you learning, the second is about refining, and the final is about you teaching. He told me he was teaching me," he said.

Dell appeared on the screen. "We were starting to have band meetings and discuss getting back together. We were all ready for it, and Brian seemed recharged. He asked for six months because he wanted to do one more thing before regrouping as Mental Lapse," Dell said.

"What was that?" Felicia asked.

"Brian wanted to tour with Kat one last time," Dell said.

Anya appeared on the screen. She sighed.

"Brian booked the Scott, Hartmann, and Jared tour just as we finished the EP," Anya said; the screen hung there momentarily, and Anya nodded. "The day we made La Di Die's single go live for download, it was the day before he left on the Scott, Hartmann, and Jared tour. We talked about working on new material, said I should try to work with his mom and her people. He last told me that he would see me after the tour."

Anya wiped the stillborn tear from her eye as images of her and Brian appeared on the screen.