9/22/18 - The Office of [Redacted]
“You look like a cross between Marilyn Manson and Steve Stevens.” The stone-faced older woman said as she flipped through our portfolio.
“Um… Thanks.” I said.
“Yeah. Different people like different things.”
Unsure of how exactly to respond to that, I simply smiled and nodded. She, who will remain nameless for legal reasons, was (is) one of the most highly recommended Music Managers in California. I was dumbstruck when she had actually accepted an appointment with me.
She closed the folder, adjusted her glasses and fixed me with a stare.
“Well, your numbers look good. You sound okay, and you look alright.” She started, less than encouragingly. “So, where’s your band?”
“Erm, X couldn’t make it, and Christian is back home in the UK for a bit.” I said, stupidly, uttering out one of the worst things I could have said, short of being lewd.
“Gonna make gigging kinda hard, ain’t it?” She asked with a little, humorless smile.
“He’ll be back whenever he’s called.”
“Okay. So who’s on drums?”
“I see where you’re going with this.” I said, sitting up a little straighter. “We’ve auditioned a few drummers and bassists.”
“But no one confirmed?”
“No.”
“So if you got a gig tomorrow…"
“I get it.”
“That’s good. So you also get where I’m coming from. I’m a Manager. I need something to manage.” She slid the folder back to me. “How about music videos?”
“Three in very early stages of development.”
“What’s that mean?”
“That’s my vague way of saying I’ve written the content and am working on buying a good enough camera to make it not look like a dude filmed in his mom’s garage with a cellphone.”
She smiled. This time, I think it was genuine.
“I like you, Adam. I want you to come back when you have a band, and a video, and we can talk then about me managing you.”
I stood and reached out my hand. “I will. Thank you for your time.”
“Of course.” She said, taking my hand in hers. “Actually do it, Adam. Don’t just say you’re going to. We could make something happen with this.”
Now I smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”
I left then, with more dignity intact than I had anticipated, and with the next phase of my plan clear in my head.
Solidify the band lineup
Shoot music videos that don’t suck
I mean, how hard could that be?
