Now that the decision to create their own label was in the works, Prodigy was moving forward with putting together their first album, which meant they had to come up with 16 tracks and then narrow it down to 12. They had a large catalog to choose from, and some songs were a perfect fit for their debut and already favorites among the local music scene. Others were fun pieces that could be gems if polished, and those were the songs they were working on today in the full recording studio located in the basement of their parents’ mansion.
Tessa, usually on point with her bassline and vocal timing, missed a few cues. “What’s up?” Lucas asked her “You seem off on this song.”
She pinched her brows together, deep in thought. “I keep imagining something different.” She paused, as if holding back her thoughts, which was totally unlike her. “Let’s record it and play it back before I tell you what I’m thinking.”
Mason, a master at the video and audio equipment, jumped off his stool. “I’m on it.” After he set everything to his liking, they ran through the song again and watched it on the enormous flat screen.
Lucas watched Tessa’s face as she scrutinized the video. She never held back, especially when it came to herself. She always received the harshest critique.
“We look good as a band.” Tessa continued to study the screen while Lucas watched alongside her, trying to see what had her so captivated. “But, I’m starting to think that maybe you were right, Lucas.”
Lucas almost fell off the arm of the couch. “What did you say?” Independent and headstrong, his sister never conceded without a long drawn out argument. “Did you just say I was right?” His face lit up with an animated smile. “Did you hear that, Mason? My sister said I was right. I hope to God you were recordingthis.”
Mason shook his head. “Sorry, man. I wasn’t ready for that shocker.” He held up his phone in front of Tessa. “Would you mind repeating that? Because I think me and Lucas just shared the same hallucination.”
“Knock it off.” Tessa chuckled and shook her head at them. “I’m serious. Let’s listen to it again.” She picked up the remote, hit rewind and replayed the song, pausing after the first chorus. “You know what would sound really cool?” She waited, but neither Lucas nor Mason answered. “The addition of a rhythm guitarist.”
Lucas blinked and leaned closer, sure he misheard her. “Did you just say you wanted to add a rhythm guitarist to the band? Are you finally letting up on the issue?”
“Well . . . we look fine here in the basement studio, but once we’re on a big stage it might look a little sparse with only the three of us, and this song really calls out for the depth of dueling guitar chords. What do you think, Mason?”
“To be honest, I think a rhythm guitarist is a great idea. But only if we can get someone who can play on the same level as Lucas, otherwise he’s going to leave them in the dust. Then the addition of a rhythm guitarist won’t enhance our music. It’ll bring it down a notch.”
“I agree,” Lucas replied. “But, there has to be someone out there. What changed your mind, Tessa?”
“I’m trying to be open-minded. We have this new venture creating our own label. Why not push it to the limit? Plus, I met this girl at a coffee shop. She’s really cool. She couldn’t sing, but, damn, she played the guitar like her life depended on it.”
“Was she good?”
“She playedWelcome to the Jungleand went nuts with the solo. I swear it was better than the original.” Tessa stood with her hand on her hip while Lucas absorbed what she said. Few people could mimic Slash on the guitar. To blow someone away with a cover, someone who knew music as well as Tessa, left Lucas dumfounded.
“I stuck around for one more song before I left, just to see what else she could do. She playedSweet Child O’ Mineand did the same thing with the solo. Lucas, the quality and innovation of her guitar playing reminded me so much of you.”
Lucas was flattered and surprised. Tessa didn’t give out compliments frivolously. “She was that good?”
Mason laughed and slapped Lucas on the back. “Modest much?”
“She was that good,” Tessa said. “She’s the only person I’ve ever met who could stand up to your talent. I’d love to see the two of you play together. I think it’ll take our band to the next level. She’d fit right in. She had a great look, and I think she’ll be a real asset to Prodigy. And check out her name – Sindy, with an “S”. S-I-N-D-Y.”
“That’s cool,” Mason said, smiling. “Is she in a band already?”
“No. She said she’s never been in one.”
Lucas let out a deep breath. “I don’t know if that’s a plus or a minus. On one hand, it means she’s a fresh commodity. But, it may mean she doesn’t work well with others.”
“She said she’s only playing for extra cash. I honestly don’t think she knows how good she is.”
“Call her,” Mason said. “Let’s get her in here for an audition.”
Lucas couldn’t remember the last time he was this excited about playing music with someone. He’d been dreaming about collaborating with another guitarist, someone his own age that was at his skill level, for a long time. He watched the stairs, anxiously waiting for her arrival.
Mason tapped his drumstick on his leg, not from nerves, it was something the guy did nonstop. “Man, I can’t believe Tessa finally caved.”
“I know,” Lucas agreed. “I hope this guitarist is as good as she says.”
“Me too. Either way, I’m glad to hear she’s got a friend to hang out with who’s into music, besides us two dudes. Remember when we were kids, and it was just me and you jamming?” Mason looked off to the side with a faraway look in his eyes “She was just a baby, always hanging around us and trying to get involved, but she was too young. You know I loved her. She was just the cutest little thing in the world, but, man, we’d be trying to play and she’d be climbing all over my drums.”
“Who are you kidding, Mase? She came into the room and you always stopped to play with her.”
