Different Circles

“Just remember to also inform them that they have no say in the name-change,” Jake said. “None whatsoever. Remember, these are the same people who wanted me to call myself JD King and for Matt to call himself Rajin Storm. They don’t have a good track record on shit like this.”

“That was National that suggested those names,” Nerdly pointed out.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jake said. “A record company suit is a record company suit. They’re all cut from the same mold.”

“True,” Nerdly agreed. “I was just striving for strict accuracy of the facts at hand.”

“And we appreciate that,” Jake said. “In any case, I met with the boys at the studio yesterday and had them go through their repertoire for me. They’ve been working hard this last month, getting together at least five times a week to nail down their tunes. They’re clicking well and they’ve got eighteen solid tunes for us to choose from. My plan for this week is to start culling that number down to the ten that will be on the actual CD.”

“That’s good to hear,” Pauline said with a smile. “How are they doing financially? Did they already burn through their advance money?”

“They’re hanging in there,” Jake said. “They were all very nervous about quitting their regular jobs back when we recruited them for the TSF. In fact, we almost lost Ben because he was so reluctant to lose his safety net. But between the money they made from us paying them hourly for the TSF rehearsals, the money from the TSF itself, and the advance money we laid on them when they signed, they’re all keeping their heads well above water. They should be fine until their first royalty checks roll in.”

“Assuming that happens,” Obie said.

“I think it’s a pretty good assumption that they’ll go Platinum at the very least,” Jake said. “Have some faith in me.”

“That I do have,” Obie assured him. “You’ve proven yourself time and time again.”

“I have faith as well,” Pauline said. “And it’s a good thing. No other record company would have signed them with the numbers we have. At their fifteen percent royalty rate and with all the money we’ve spent on them so far, they need to sell at least eight hundred and fifty thousand CDs before KVA is in the black on them.”

“Even more if we finance half a tour,” Jake added. “But I believe it will happen. They’re good solid musicians who put out good solid tunes.”

“I agree,” Nerdly said. “I’ve been working with them while Jake and Laura were traveling. Their music is commercially viable in the alternative rock music genre and will be radio friendly when properly mixed and mastered.”

“Damn right,” Jake said. “They’ll be hitting the studio on February 1. I’ll get them up to Oregon and tucked into the house on January 27^th so they’ll have a few days to acclimate. Obie has our usual team assigned to the project and we have unlimited use of Studio 1 through April 1 for the actual recording and through May 1 for the mixing and mastering.”

“For my usual fee and royalty rate,” Obie added helpfully.

“Right,” Jake said. “Your usual fee and royalties.”

“Okay then,” Pauline said. “It sounds like we have our plan well in hand for Lighthouse ... uh ... sorry, V-tach.”

“If that’s the name they settle on,” Jake said.

“Right,” she said. “Now, how about we circle back to what we were originally talking about: Brainwash II?”

“Sounds good,” Jake said. “Aristocrat agreed to terms offered. Did they say when they can have songs on the radio and CDs on shelves?”

“Songs on the radio by spring break,” Pauline said. “CDs on shelves by April 22. They are also interested in financing a US and Canada tour if the CD goes Gold by June 15.”

Jake shook his head in disgust. “They want to finance a tour? The same people who have claimed since the beginning that Brainwash could never make it because they’re not attractive enough?”

“That’s right,” Pauline said. “Market value ticket pricing is a game changer for the industry. Now there’s profit to be made by sending a band out on the road to tour. They figure that with one multi-platinum CD under their belt and with another breaking Gold and getting favorable saturation airplay, people will pay for those hundred-dollar tickets to see Brainwash live no matter what they look like.”

“Maybe y’all could send them out with these heart attack people?” Obie suggested. “Have your new band open for your old band?”

“That’s actually a pretty good idea,” Pauline said. “Something that bears thinking about.”