Chapitre 230: The Label's plan
Lucas revved the engine of his car, speeding towards his apartment complex. His mind raced with anticipation as he parked on the topmost floor and hurriedly entered his modest abode. He dialed his manager Neil's number as he collapsed onto the plush sofa.
"Hey, Neil. I got your text about 'Big Machine Records' being interested in my viral videos. They want to record my songs?" Lucas asked.
"That's right. I'll be in New York tomorrow, and we'll meet with their team to discuss your compositions," Neil said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "They also proposed a collaboration with another artist from their label."
Lucas's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? Me, collaborating with another artist?"
"That's right. It's a rising artist from 'Big Machine Records'. Her name is… Taylor… Taylor… Cliff?" Neil trailed off, struggling to recall the name.
Lucas couldn't help but chuckle. "You mean Taylor Swift?"
"Yes, yes! Taylor Swift!" Neil exclaimed, sounding relieved. "The label wants to promote her by collaborating with you. You know, her songs are quite similar to yours, all about love and heartbreak."
Lucas's mind reeled at the thought of potentially working with such a famous and popular artist from his previous life.
"Well, get some rest. I'll be there tomorrow." Neil said to Lucas.
"Alright, alright." Lucas ended the call and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the dazzling cityscape below. His mind couldn't help but wander to his current standing in life. He'd reached a level of fame in Hollywood that his previous life could only have dreamed of.
The sun was setting over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city skyline. In that moment, Lucas couldn't help but smile.
---
Time flew by, and before he knew it, there was a knock on the door. Lucas opened it to find Neil, his manager, standing with a warm smile. They exchanged greeted each other and sat down on the plush sofa. Neil handed him a piece of paper with the café's address.
"We'll meet with the record label team here," Neil said, gesturing at the address. His eyes roamed around the spacious apartment, taking in the sleek décor and modern furnishings.
"This place is amazing, Lucas. It's about time you moved out of that old shoebox." Neil chuckled.
Lucas couldn't help but chuckle too. "Well, I didn't exactly have a choice. The landlady… well, let's just say she was eager to 'free up' my old unit."
---
At a quaint café in bustling Manhattan, New York, Lucas and Neil sat at a cozy booth, sipping their coffees as they waited for the 'Big Machine Records' team. The café buzzed with the chatter of patrons and the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Finally, two impeccably dressed individuals entered the establishment, their eyes locking onto Lucas and Neil. They approached their table, extending their hands for a firm handshake.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Knight and Mr. Lamb," the younger of the two men said, flashing a polished smile. "I'm John McCain, A&R representative of 'Big Machine Records'."
The older, more seasoned-looking man followed suit. "Claude Wright, Marketing Director of 'Big Machine Records'. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Pleasure to meet you both," Neil responded, beaming. Lucas nodded in agreement, also shaking their hands.
John leaned back in his seat, steepling his fingers. "I've gotta say, Lucas, your songs on those videos really moved me. It's been a while since I've felt that way about new music."
Lucas smiled, "Thank you, Mr. McCain."
John smiled warmly, "Call me John, please."
"Alright, John it is. And you can call me Lucas."
John chuckled, "Deal, Lucas. Now, we know how busy you are with your acting career, so we understand if you can't commit to a full-length album just yet. Our plan is to have you record your most popular songs from the videos first, and then we'll see about releasing an EP."
Lucas chuckled, thinking back to his humble beginnings. "Well, to be honest, my first album wasn't even close to the length of a full-length record. It was practically an overgrown EP itself."
John laughed, "Semantics aside, we believe in your talent, Lucas. And I have a feeling the world will too."
"That's true, Lucas," Claude chuckled, "We got a lot of feedback about your first album's length. Some even argued it couldn't be called an album at all."
Neil, Lucas's manager, interjected, "I apologize for that. As you know, Lucas has been quite busy with his acting career."
Claude waved off the apology. "No worries, Mr. Lamb. It's not about the length, but the quality. This EP, around 15 to 30 minutes long, will be like a teaser for Lucas's music. We want him to record his most popular songs from the videos first, and then we'll see about releasing an EP. Once that takes off, we can talk about a full-length album."
"I see," Neil said, flipping through his notes. "And what about this collaboration you mentioned? The one with another artist from your label?"
John's smile widened. "Ah, yes. We have a rising star on our roster who we think would be an excellent fit with Lucas's style. Her name is Taylor Swift."
Lucas chuckled, "I've heard of her. Isn't she known for her songs about love and heartbreaks? She's quite popular with the heartbroken crowd, right?"
John and Claude shared a laugh. "That's her niche, and it's working well for her," John said.
Claude added, "And it's not like you're unfamiliar with heartbreak songs yourself, Lucas." He winked, "In fact, Taylor's a big fan of your work. Her manager mentioned she adores 'Someone You Loved'. Said it's one of her favorites."
Lucas chuckled, "Well, I guess we have that in common."
John nodded, "Exactly! That's why we think a collaboration between the two of you would be fantastic. Fans online are already buzzing about the idea since they know you're both under our label."
Claude leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he spoke. "Lucas, in our opinion, you should seriously consider the idea of collaboration. It's a win-win situation. You both get promoted, Taylor and you. Your careers will skyrocket. Imagine it, a duet between the two of you. Taylor and her manager are already on board with the idea."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well, it's definitely intriguing."
John placed a hand on Lucas's shoulder, "No pressure, man. Take your time to think about it. But, the label does want you to record your EP first, you know, capitalize on the buzz from your viral performance."
Claude nodded in agreement. "They've even lined up a recording studio and producer to help expedite the process once you're ready. All you need are the songs, melody, and lyrics."
Lucas tapped his backpack confidently. "Don't worry, I've got them all here."
Claude clapped his hands together, a look of satisfaction on his face. "Excellent. We'll have the recording studio and producer in touch with your manager, Neil here. And since your schedule isn't too packed, we can start as soon as possible."
Lucas nodded as he sighed, knowing he had little choice but to agree. After all, he had signed a contract with "Big Machine Records" and even though he wasn't obligated like other artists, he still needed to make profitable music for both himself and the label.
"Thank you, Lucas. Trust us, this will be a great decision for both your careers," John said, shaking hands with Lucas and Neil before they both stood up and left the café.
Neil turned to Lucas, "So, what do you think about collaborating with Taylor?"
Lucas took a moment to consider the offer, weighing the pros and cons in his head. "Well, it's not a bad idea..."
Neil patted him on the shoulder. "It's your call, man. You know I've got your back either way."
---
Neil, who was staying at Lucas's apartment temporarily, received a call from the producer of the recording studio that would be helping Lucas with his EP. The producer had already come to an agreement with "Big Machine Records," making things much more convenient for them.
Lucas and Neil arrived at the studio, both of them surprised to find out it was the very same one where Lucas had recorded his first album.
The producer greeted them with a warm smile, handing over a contract that was surprisingly fair for both Lucas and Neil. It seemed "Electric Lady Studios" had already ironed out the details with their label, speeding up the process significantly.
After an hour of signing paperwork, Lucas was ushered into a state-of-the-art recording booth. With the studio engineers and staff at the ready, they spent hours discussing the songs he wanted to record, fine-tuning every detail until they were all satisfied.
The first day flew by as Lucas and the talented sound engineers at "Electric Lady Studios" worked tirelessly on perfecting an incomplete track of "Viva La Vida." They wanted a polished final product, which would take more time than anticipated.
In the following days, Lucas found himself immersed in the creative process, recording two more songs with the help of the skilled sound engineers and staff. The label contacted Neil, asking if Lucas could shoot music videos for the completed tracks, and with his schedule free for weeks, they agreed.
Lucas enjoyed the break from acting, finding relaxation in music recording. It was therapeutic, a way to express himself that acting couldn't quite match.
After another two days of hard work, Lucas finished recording his third song. As soon as they wrapped up, Neil received a call from a talent coordinator of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," inviting Lucas to be a guest on the show.
Chapitre 231: Icon
In the "Electric Lady Studio," Lucas sat engrossed in a conversation with the director and sound engineers, meticulously fine-tuning the recordings of his songs. The atmosphere was thick with the buzz of creativity and the hum of studio equipment. Suddenly, his manager, Neil, approached him with a spring in his step.
"Lucas, can I have a moment?" Neil said, his voice brimming with excitement.
Lucas glanced up from the mixing board, nodded at the recording staff, and excused himself from the table. "What's up?" he asked, curiosity piqued by Neil's energy.
Neil's eyes sparkled as he spoke, "Lucas, you're invited to be on the Ellen DeGeneres Show! This could be your first interview and appearance on a major TV show!"
To Neil's surprise, Lucas's expression didn't mirror his own enthusiasm. Instead, he simply responded with a nonchalant, "Okay?" Then, as if to downplay the news further, he added, "I thought something had happened. So, it's just an invite from the Ellen DeGeneres Show..."
Neil's brows furrowed, baffled by Lucas's lack of excitement. "Why aren't you more excited? It's the Ellen DeGeneres Show we're talking about! Don't you know who he is?"
Lucas chuckled, "Easy there, Neil. I know who she is—"
"It's 'he', Lucas," Neil corrected him.
"Right, right. I know who he is, but I don't need to make a fuss over him inviting me on his show..." Lucas trailed off, remembering how in his previous life, the show had been canceled due to its toxic work environment and complaints from employees. Although Ellen might not have been the worst offender, the producers were far more toxic and ultimately brought the show to ruin.
Neil's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I didn't expect you to be so nonchalant about such a popular show, Lucas."
Lucas smiled, "Well, just tell them I'm busy and can't attend their invitation..."
Neil frowned, "Aren't you taking this too far? You do know it's the Ellen DeGeneres Show, right?"
Lucas shrugged, "Didn't we have music videos to film?"
"Yes, but you still have time for Ellen!" Neil insisted.
"Come on, it doesn't matter if I miss this one invite. I'm sure I'll get another chance to be on the show later," Lucas reasoned.
Neil couldn't argue with that, but he couldn't help but wonder, "Don't tell me Lucas is homophobic?"
---
In the writers' room, Ellen and her team were deep in discussion about the day's script when a talent coordinator rushed in with some news.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have an update on Lucas," the coordinator said, catching everyone's attention.
Ellen looked up from her notes, her interest piqued. "What is it?"
"I just spoke with his manager, Mr. Lamb, and I'm afraid Lucas won't be able to make it to the show due to tight schedule," the coordinator explained.
Ellen's eyebrows furrowed. "But didn't Mr. Lamb say Lucas had a lot of free time to attend?"
The coordinator shrugged. "That's what I thought too, but he claims Lucas's schedule is more unpredictable than they initially thought."
Ellen couldn't hide her disappointment. "Unpredictable, huh? Sounds like a load of bull to me." She sighed, trying to mask her disappointment. "Well, it's their loss. I guess we'll have to find another guest."
As the coordinator left the room, Ellen couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. She had been looking forward to interviewing Lucas, especially since there was so much to talk about: his viral videos, his relationship with his family, the start of his career, and the inspiration behind his songs. There were just so many juicy topics to explore.
"It's a shame," she muttered under her breath. "I guess we'll never know now."
---
Back at the recording studio, a few days had passed, and Lucas had now recorded a total of five songs: "Say You Won't Let Go," "Yellow," "Viva La Vida," "Train Wreck," and their latest addition, "Unwell." As the staff listened to the final track, their eyes glistened with unshed tears. The song's relatable lyrics resonated with each of them.
"I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell, hmm..." the sound engineer muttered under his breath, nodding along.
Once the song ended, Lucas turned to the team, seeking their approval. "So, what do you guys think? Good enough?"
The sound engineer wiped away a stray tear. "It's more than good, Lucas. I can't even... it's just... wow."
John McCain, a representative from "Big Machine Records," also listened in and couldn't help but feel a swirl of emotions. "This song is going to sell like hotcakes," he thought to himself, both impressed and slightly intimidated by the sheer talent before him.
John McCain, intrigued, couldn't help but ask, "Lucas, I'm curious. What was the inspiration behind 'Unwell'?"
The others in the room shared his curiosity, but Lucas chuckled nervously. After all, he hadn't composed the original song in this timeline; it was from his previous life.
"Well, a friend of mine has been going through some tough times lately, and his story just... inspired me," Lucas said, not entirely lying. It was true that his friend Paul had reminded him of the original song, even though he hadn't written it himself.
Neil chuckled. "So, your friend's troubles are the source of your inspiration for these two sad songs, huh?"
Both "Train Wreck" and "Unwell" were touching tracks that seemed to resonate with anyone who'd ever been through a rough patch. The staff couldn't help but marvel at Lucas's talent for crafting songs that spoke directly to the hearts of those who needed it most.
Well, Lucas, since the last track is finally in the bag, I guess that's a wrap for today," the sound director announced.
Lucas beamed, expressing his gratitude to the entire staff of the recording studio. "Thank you all so much for your hard work and patience. I couldn't have done this without you guys."
The team couldn't help but smile at how humble and down-to-earth Lucas was, considering his talent and growing fame.
As Lucas and Neil walked out of the recording booth with John, the latter broached the topic they'd discussed a week ago. "Lucas, about that collaboration we mentioned with Taylor Swift…"
Lucas turned to him, already sensing where this was going. "What about it?"
John nodded, "Well, she's actually here right now… in one of the other booths."
Lucas hesitated. "I don't know, I don't want to interrupt her while she's recording."
"No, no, she and her team are fine with it," John insisted, leading them to another soundproof booth.
As they entered, Lucas spotted Taylor Swift through the transparent glass, belting out a tune with her band in tow.
John approached a man in his 40s, who turned out to be Taylor's manager, Robert Allen. He extended his hand to Lucas. "Nice to meet you, Lucas. I'm Robert Allen, Taylor's manager."
"Pleasure to meet you too," Lucas said, shaking his hand firmly before they all took a seat on the sofa.
Robert couldn't contain his excitement. "I can't believe I'm finally meeting a talented actor and musician like yourself, Lucas Knight!" He patted Lucas on the back, grinning from ear to ear.
Lucas blushed, "You're too kind, sir. I'm just doing what I love."
Just then, the door to the recording booth opened, and Taylor Swift stepped out of the recording booth, her infectious smile lighting up the room. "Hey, Lucas! I've heard so much about you," she said, extending her hand for a warm handshake. "I'm Taylor."
"Nice to finally meet you too, Taylor," Lucas replied, charmed by her genuine demeanor.
"Your song sounds amazing in there. You're a true talent."
"Aw, thank you!" Taylor blushed, visibly flattered. "I've been a fan of your acting and now your music too. 'Someone you loved' had me in tears, man. In a good way, of course," she quickly added with a laugh.
John couldn't help but grin as he spoke, "Lucas just recorded another tear-jerker of a song. It's a must-hear."
Taylor's eyes widened with excitement. "No way! I have to listen to it!"
Lucas chuckled. "Well, you'll get your chance once it's released. Tomorrow, I'll be recording my final song here."
"Can I come by and listen?" Taylor asked, her enthusiasm palpable as she squeezed his hand gently.
Lucas smiled at her eagerness, she reminded him of a soft-spoken yet spoiled girl who still yearned to make a meaningful impact on the world through her music.
"Sure, tomorrow's my last day here anyway," he said, nodding in agreement.
Instead of diving straight into discussing their potential collaboration, Lucas and Taylor decided to get to know each other better first. They spent the next twenty minutes chatting about their respective careers, shared experiences in the industry, and their musical influences. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and they discovered they had more in common than they thought.
After a while, Lucas, Neil and John exited from the booth.
"So, what do you think of him?" Robert asked Taylor as they walked back to their own recording space.
Taylor couldn't help but smile. "He's an interesting person. I can't wait to hear his songs tomorrow."
Robert chuckled, shaking his head at his client's single-minded focus on music.
---
As Lucas and Neil left the studio, they climbed into their waiting car. Neil couldn't help but ask, "So, what do you think? Will you collaborate with her?"
Lucas smiled as he buckled his seatbelt. "Probably." He was honestly surprised by his conversation with Taylor. Based on her heartbreak-fueled songs, he had expected her to be a bitter ex-lover, but in person, she was a genuine and kind-hearted person.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
200+ Classement
Power Stone 
25 Power
stone Vous aimerez peut-être aussi
Commentaire de paragraphe