Eva
After quite some time together, Andy and I developed a routine.
I'd usually wake up first on my own, do my bathroom routine, and make some breakfast for us. Andy didn't care what I made. I could make oatmeal, or eggs with bacon, he'd be fine with either one.
While I made breakfast, Andy would wake up and do the same as me. After his bathroom business, he joins me to eat, and we'd go get dressed for the day. I always come with Andy to the studio to help him if I can.
Yep! It's been like that for 4 months now! And every day I've spent with him has been wonderful. Whether we're in the studio, watching TV and movies together, or going out and about, it's always a fun time with him.
In this time, he's done so much with his music. He finished the rest of his album! I'm featured in Stay Alive and Paint It Black too! On a couple other songs, my background vocals are also used.
John has been updating his Instagram full of Andy, hyping up his album release which was finally released a week ago. John told us to tune into radio station 104.3 to listen for some of Andy's songs. He said he reached out to that radio station and let them listen to Andy's album. So hopefully, they liked some songs enough to put them on the radio. We still haven't heard anything of his though, maybe soon.
His album has received some attention on its own from about 4K listeners, the number slightly growing every day. Y'all don't even know how proud I am of him. He's come so far and his dream is taking off now. When I first learned he was working with music, I knew he'd be a star. He looks and sounds the part, this is what he was made for.
The moment his album was released, I could imagine the long lines of fans waiting for tickets to see him, the crowds cheering for him, and the lives he'd save. He will be known by the entire world.
Now, we're getting dressed to head out to the studio. John has been working with radio stations, where else to make The Shadow Side available, and all that stuff that Andy likes to be present for.
I put on some leggings, a lightweight, loose t-shirt with a tiger on it, and my black converse. Andy wore a Bengals shirt, ripped black jeans, and his combat boots.
"Remember to get the raincoats." Andy said as I tied my hair up.
"And you remember the umbrellas." I smiled.
It's December, and in CA, the winters are mild and wet. I liked the rain as a demon, especially the rumbling thunder, and I still like it.
I grabbed our raincoats while Andy got the keys and umbrellas. We needed to hurry or we'd be late, come on, Andy.
"Stud, for as long as we've lived together, I've made sure you weren't late to the studio. The day I fail will not be today, let's gooo." I hurried him along.
He quickly locked the apartment door and we ran to the elevators.
When we stepped outside, it was drizzling a little. The sky was a light grey and gloomy. Still rushing, we ran to the car and drove speedily to the studio.
I put the radio on and listened, hoping for one of Andy's songs to appear. Some songs would begin similarly to Andy's, but they weren't his, and we were both disappointed.
We listened until Andy parked in the parking lot of the studio. "Oh well," he sighed, "maybe when we drive back home."
"Can we listen for just another minute? This song is about to end." I stopped him from turning the car off.
He frowned slightly and leaned his head back on the seat. Oh, I couldn't deal when he was upset.
Something familiar started playing on the radio though! Then we heard the "here's where it starts" to Put The Gun Down!
"AAAAHHHH, IT'S YOUR SONG, STUD! I KNEW IT, I KNEW THEY'D PLAY SOMETHING!" I bounced in my seat.
"YES, YES, YYYEESSS, OH MY GOD!!!" He shouted with joy.
We got out of the car, running into each other's arms, jumping around the parking lot.
"YOU DID IT! I NEVER STOPPED BELIEVING IN YOU! I'M SO PROUD!" I squeezed him tight.
He lifted me up, "WE DID IT! I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!"
"You were born for this, I never doubted your abilities for a second." I ran my fingers through his hair.
"Thank you, Chickie...if you weren't with me, lending me your vocals, giving lyric ideas, motivating me to do my best, I don't know where I'd be." He lowered me to his face and kissed me happily.
AND THAT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF OUR CELEBRATION! When we got up to see John, he showed us how many listeners The Shadow Side had...NOW UP TO 10K AND THE NUMBER IS RAPIDLY GETTING BIGGER.
"The radio playing one of your songs just boosted your listeners! As we speak, there are now 13K!" John smiled widely, spinning around in his chair.
"5 minutes ago, you were moping around in the car like you thought you couldn't make it. What did I tell you every day?" I asked Andy.
"You told me that I was talented and no one else was like me." He recalled.
"Yes, and it's true. Look at you, you got what? 16K listeners now? Damn." I smiled.
"Andy...The Shadow Side is booming! With these numbers, I think it's safe to say you'll be going on tour!" John looked at Andy with excitement in his eyes.
"On tour?" It sounded like he couldn't believe it.
"Yes! I think a tour around the United States is a good start. We'll try to see where most of your listeners are concentrated, we'll go to those states for sure." John nodded.
I glanced at the charts on his computer...18K and it keeps on going.
"Where will we get a tour bus?" Andy asked.
"That's the least of our concerns, I know a tour bus company." John said.
"I think we should just be thinking about what venues you'll be able to get." I chimed in...I've done some research about the music industry.
"Exactly, I'll be making a few calls for those later. Oh, I need you to create an Andy Black account on Instagram, I'll post you on my IG. That'll get you some followers and you can update them on what's happening. Keep personal and business separate." John instructed Andy.
We all took a selfie together with the charts in the background for John to post on IG later. Then we talked about maybe making a music video or two, and a video to promote the tour when John saw fit to make it.
A lot goes into music videos; they tell the story of the song and what's behind the lyrics. The visual representation of it shows people what's meant by the song, it speaks to them too.
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Since Andy isn't recording, we didn't spend as much time at the studio. We spent 2 hours there for meetings, just talking about future plans for Andy's music.
Those 2 hours go by real quick, then it's time for SWS to have some time with John. SWS is a great band, I like them. They're such nice people, and Kellin is an awesome frontman.
"Heyyy," Kellin greeted all of us, "Andy! I heard your song on the radio, congrats!"
"Thank you! Yea, I'm super happy about it." Andy went up to Kellin and hugged him.