Oreos
for Breakfast: Chapter Two
By The Paperbag Princess and The
Pumpkin Coach
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5
"Rachel, dear, close your mouth."
Instinctively I did as James instructed, but continued to look around the EMI offices in awe. Everything was black and chrome and hip. I felt like a little girl playing dress up in my mother's clothes. Ever since we were summoned last week, I had been trying not to obsess on this. They weren't dropping us, right? Please don't let them do that. After the year we'd had that would certainly be the last straw.
I took a seat next to James and avoided Jeremy's stare from across the table. Even with the cute one calling me and taking my mind off everything, that would still be the last straw. He'd forget about me and then where would I be? Hiding out on Long Island, drinking myself to death. I took a deep breath as the door to the conference room opened.
We all turned and an entirely too hip girl smiled down at me, "Rachel Connor and the boys! I love your CD. It's been on heavy rotation in my CD player even before they lobbed this account to me! I'm Amber."
She held out her hand to me and I blinked at her. "Hi… Amber." I glanced behind her, expecting to see someone older than me come in behind her, maybe someone dressed in a power suit or at least old enough to order alcohol downstairs at the bar. I exchanged a look with James and he smiled at her, slightly amused.
"Amber, dear. Where's Melissa? She called to arrange the meeting."
"Oh, Melissa. That's my assistant. Terribly bright girl. Really loving it here at EMI America. I'll introduce you when we're done, 'kay?" She stopped long enough to take a sip of her water as she sat at the head of the table. She glanced down at her notepad and turned to me, "So tell me all about Nick Carter and the Backstreet Boys."
I felt my eyes bulge. What the fuck? How did she know I knew Nick? Was our breakfast this morning already on the boards?
She laughed, "Come on Rachel, just pretend the boys aren't here. Just girl talk. Tell me all about him." She winked at Jeremy and I restrained myself from rolling my eyes. Fake little record company wank.
I looked down and started picking at my fingernail polish. "How do you know I know Nick Carter?" I asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.
She didn't say anything, but pushed a button on the remote control in front of her. Suddenly Nick's face was on the TV screen in the corner. I couldn't even look at Jeremy as I watched Nick on the screen. He was grinning into the camera and someone asked him what bands he was listening to now. His eyes lit up and he leaned toward the microphone in front of him.
He had the bluest eyes, didn't he? I felt my stomach jump a bit as I remembered him standing in front of me, those eyes looking up at me as he tried to convince me to go to Philly with him just about an hour ago. I'd so wanted to run my fingers through his hair, his cuteness was that overwhelming.
"In my CD player? Awww… a great group! They're new, I think… no, they've been together a while, but not as long as we have. You all would really like them and KISS should be playing them, so should KROQ!"
The camera then cut to AJ as he interjected, "And better than that Willa crap you're playin'!"
I had to smile at that. She was the band's latest bad pop star obsession, replacing Christina for the past week or so, ever since I told them all that she used to date 'my' Backstreet Boy. When she came on the radio, we'd all scream the first epithet that we could think of. My current favorite was 'psycho whore.' Darien started to sing the chorus and Jeremy shushed him immediately. I had to stifle a laugh.
"Anyway, they're called Sudden Silence. The girlwho fronts them, Rachel Connor, she's got an amazing voice. Really great. Check them out!"
Amber hit another button and Nick's face disappeared from the screen. She looked back at me, "So Rachel, tell me about Nick Carter because he's just jumpstarted your career. You might want to send him some flowers or something."
"You're fucking joking!" Jeremy's voice boomed from across the table.
Shit. This was all we needed. Ever since I met Nick and AJ, Jeremy had been riding me about Backstreet and Nick calling me. He'd been teasing me about my morning as we rode the elevator up to this meeting. So the boy had a little crush on me? Big fucking deal.
Sure, I was attracted to him, but what was this really? He was bored and on the road, so we talked? He'd forget about me soon enough. I was just a temporary distraction. I'm sure he had a girlfriend that'd be joining up with him soon. Didn't all the rock stars have that? Girlfriends they flew in when life on the road got too much to bear?
"Jeremy, stop." I held up my hand to him and then turned to Amber. I wasn't about to allow him to come off as band leader in this meeting. No, I'd deal with EMI on my terms, thank you very much. "You mean that comment is getting us airplay?"
She smiled and handed around a ratings chart. "These are LA numbers for the past three weeks. Week one is before the Wango Tango press conference where Nick mentioned you. Your airplay is pretty standard for a new release with no major push."
I heard James mutter something about no money for publicity and I shot him a look. Please, don't be openly rude to the record company, James. Bad form.
Amber ignored James and continued, "Week two is the week after the press conference and you see that three of the top 5 stations in LA, San Francisco and San Diego have added you to their play lists. Including KROQ and KISS-FM. Now KROQ, as you know, sets the standard for radio on the west coast, if not the rest of the country. In week three here," she took out a pen and circled a bunch of numbers on my sheet, "You see that 'Pretend to be Nice' has been added to 10 new stations in four major markets - LA, Chicago, Philadelphia and Atlanta."
"Shit!" I could barely breathe, "We're being played in Chicago, Philly and Atlanta based on one throw away comment at a press conference in LA by a boy band?"
She licked her lips and sat back in her chair considering us sitting there around the table studying the ratings charts, "Not just any boy band and not just any boy. Backstreet fans are obsessive, Rachel, they listen to what the boys say, they emulate what they do, it's a case study for how to control the teen market. Nick says he likes you and they will follow."
"This is bullshit," Jeremy spit out. "We're getting play because Backstreet groupies follow them blindly?"
"Not just Backstreet fans," Amber informed him drily before I could kick him. "They requested your single and gave you a bump in L.A. DJ's love you, we've know that for months, and they just needed a good excuse to drop you into heavier rotation. We've done some market research, you're also appealing to an older demographic who finds pop music a guilty pleasure, you give them a bit more cred."
"All right!" We all turned to look at Darien, who blushed. "I mean, airplay is good right? You aren't dropping us because of it?"
Amber laughed, "I love the cute, dumb drummers! No, darling, we aren't dropping you. In fact, we're going to play this for all it's worth. Now that the Wainwright tour is over, we're going to put you on a club tour that piggybacks on Backstreet's schedule. Jive has already been contacted and signed off on joint promotion, thinking it will expand their market if your fans - who are older and have a more rock edge - catch wind of the Backstreet angle. We kick off on July 23nd in Minneapolis. They're getting buzz from the Chicago market and also from your following there. Who's the Minneapolis connection?"
She stopped talking and we all looked at Jeremy, "I am. My hometown. You're making us tour with the Backstreet Boys?" He couldn't keep the disgust out of his voice and if the table hadn't been so damned big, I would have kicked him in the shin.
She considered him, chewing on her pen cap, "No. We're piggybacking your tours. Which basically means you will play the night after or same night they do. They will mention you - hopefully - in interviews and press conferences. Jive is being incredibly accommodating here." She looked over at me and raised an eyebrow, then turned back to Jeremy, "That way we ride their wave, get more kids to shows and pull in airplay, thereby selling records. That's the goal here, guys, moving units and making some money."
"Silly me, I thought it was making music," I said sarcastically.
"Well, Rachel," Amber snipped at me, "We can not capitalize on this and you can not sell more units and we have the option of dropping you at the end of the year. How's that?"
I slid down in my seat, when did she become a cutthroat businesswoman? I liked the pre-pubescent, bubbly Amber better. "Sorry. It just… it all sounds so…"
"Soulless?" James offered and winked at me, "So, we ride on the coat tails of Backstreet. Whatever. I mean, we still get to play our own shows, right? They'll be in clubs. Can we get a new van?" He asked hopefully, looking at Amber.
"Yes, James. You get new wheels. In fact, you get a lot in this deal. Excuse me for a moment."
She left the room and we all watched as the glass door shut and then everyone started talking at once. I wasn't sure whether to be excited or annoyed. I mean, I hadn't asked for the publicity but she was right, without it we were certainly going to be dropped by EMI at the end of our deal.
"I can't believe we're going to be indebted to him." Jeremy spat at me. I just blinked at him.
"Was that comment directed at me, J? What? You think I planned this or something? So the boy likes our music, what the hell is wrong with that? Would you be all self-righteous if it had been someone else… someone with more so-called integrity? I'm fucking tired of that word! Fuck indie cred and being hip and down with the people!"
"Do you see Damon in the room, Rache? No one said it was going to ruin our credibility," Jeremy spat back at me.
"Don't start," I warned him. God, I hated how he knew every fucking button to push. I glared at him and ran my fingers through my hair, wishing to god I was allowed to smoke in here.
"I just don't want to be listened to because people think we're going to be like them. It is about the music, as you so eloquently put it, but it's our music. Not the pop drivel that Backstreet is manufacturing," Jeremy retorted.
"Well, to be fair, Jeremy, the boys are selling a lot of records and it's not all bad. That song we did the other night. That was a good song, " Darien piped up again and I smiled to myself. Darien would defend me, he was good like that.
Not to be outdone, James leaned forward in his chair, taking his eyes off the ratings chart for a moment, "Can we not lose sight of the fact that people are fucking listening to our single? Come on, 6 months ago we weren't even sure that EMI was going to option the album. They did and we were thrilled. Coming here today we thought they were going to say they were dropping us and they're not. They're fuckin' giving us a headlining tour and some promotion. Let's not spit in their faces, OK, dude?"
Amber came back in and we all quieted down like we were high school students caught talking during an exam. Our eyes followed Amber around the room as she handed us each a stack of paper neatly bound. On the front was the photo Em took of us for the cover of our current album and our name in bold, futuristic writing:
Sudden
Silence
Summer Headlining Tour 2001
My stomach flipped as I read the words and opened to the first page. It was a fuckin' tour schedule, all neatly typed out with an itinerary and hotels and venue contacts and… shit! Press was planned!
Darien looked up at Amber, "Do we get to name the tour?"
She smiled at him and nodded, "Whatever you want, love. You want to put something on a T-shirt? I'll get graphics down here to chat with you." She could barely hide her amusement at our reactions. Hell, I didn't blame her; we were acting like children that had never had ice cream.
James read faster than I did, "July fucking 27 interview with Rolling FUCKING Stone!"
"Jesus," was all I heard Jeremy say because James had pulled me up and hugged me, "Thank you for bagging a Backstreet Boy, Rache!"
I started laughing so hard I didn't even notice Amber staring at me for a moment, "What's going on with Nick, Rachel?"
I blushed and James piped up, "Nicky has a tiny crush on the fair Rachel."
Amber raised an eyebrow at me, "Just a crush?"
I shook my head, "It's nothing. We met a couple weeks ago and then we were both in Pittsburgh and he came to see a show. Invited me to theirs and we've talked a few times since then. It's nothing." I carefully avoided mentioning that I had seen him just about an hour ago and held my breath hoping to god no one else would offer that tidbit up.
She just nodded, but I could tell she was filing the information away for future reference. I didn't like her. Was I going to have to deal with this woman a lot now? I looked back down at the tour dates and then back to Amber, "Why aren't we starting until July 21st? That's nearly three weeks away. Shouldn't we start now?"
She turned the page in her schedule then consulted her notepad. "Right… it will take a couple weeks to get everything situated and your tour manager is finishing up with another act. And we've got to pick the next single. We'll do a quick video that first week on tour and have something fresh to tour around."
"But the album just came out. 'Pretend to be Nice' barely got any promotion, why not use that?" James inquired.
"Not a good summer song. We need something catchy. You know, windows rolled down, headed to the shore kind of vibe."
I just stared at her. Had she ever listened to our music? That wasn't us? I shuffled through our CD in my mind, "Shapeshifter or Come On?"
She blinked at me, "That's A/R's decision. I think they're leaning toward 'Come On' but feel it might be too suggestive."
I about choked on my water, "Too suggestive? You're kidding!"
She just smiled, playing the diplomat, no doubt, "Not my decision. I'll let you know when they make one, though."
"Can we rewind a moment?" Jeremy interjected, "You said we were getting a tour manager?"
Amber smiled, "Yes. Her name is Lola and you will simply adore her! She's fabulous. A New Yorker who spent quite a bit of time in London. She knows your scene."
We had a 'scene'? Where had I been hiding? Jeremy and Amber started talking specifics, and I tuned out for a minute, flipping through our terribly professional looking itinerary. "TSAR??? You're giving us Tsar as an opening fucking act?" James and I looked at each other, laughing. We'd known Tsar for years, every time we were in California, we hung out with them, and they stayed at James' place when they were on our coast.
"Well, they just released a cover of 'Larger than Life,' and of course, 'Get Another Boyfriend' will be the b-side to your new single. It seemed like a perfect match, they need to do some more promo before they go to work on their next album."
"No fucking way is…" Jeremy started.
I slammed my hand on the table. "J, shut up. Amber, when do we get to meet with A/R? We can discuss the single and b-sides then."
"Tomorrow," she informed me looking slightly amused as Jeremy and I glared at one another. How long until she figured that backstory out? "You have a full day tomorrow about specifics, we've got a conference call scheduled for you to talk to your tour manager. I'm just giving you the overview now."
James took over talking to Amber and I leaned across the table, hissing to Jeremy. "Can you stop throwing hissy fits in front of the label? We'll go out after this and discuss. Come on, Jeremy, we get to tour with fucking Tsar! Think about what a blast that will be!"
He met my eyes for a long moment, and I knew what was bothering him. This was all me, this sudden bump was because Nick had a crush on me, and Jeremy hated that. I blew him a fake kiss. "Thank me for being an insomniac, darling. It was a freak accident that got me in the same room with the boy."
He started to say something, but Darien whacked his arm. "Tour bus, dudes! Stop fighting and listen in!"
At the end of an hour, even Jeremy was laughing, and throwing in suggestions for tour names. Finally we settled on "Walking to the Beat of Our Own Drum," paraphrasing the lyrics from one of our songs. We were going to have tour shirts and everything!
Amber had to go off to another meeting, and we needed to go off to get drunk and celebrate. We were in high spirits as we left the building, and I slipped my arm through Jeremy's once we hit the street, holding him back from the others. "J, this is everything we ever dreamed about."
Everything we ever dreamed about when we were young and stupid and madly in love, I could see him thinking the same things as he looked down at me, stopping in the middle of the street. "We dreamed about. You and me, dreaming about hard work and the success we deserved."
I took his hand in mine, lacing my fingers through his. It had been a long time since I did that, and we both looked down at our hands, a little surprised. "We've worked, Jeremy, for seven years. We do deserve this. All Nick did was give us a bump, we have to do everything else ourselves."
"And your starfucking has gotten us in trouble before."
I just sighed at him. "Crass, yet true. I'm not fucking Nick, he's just this sweet guy who calls me once in a while."
"You don't have to be fucking him, everyone will think you are when he starts talking about you all the time."
I scowled at him. "I want that perhaps less than you do. It's fucking tacky, having Backstreet promote us. I'll talk to Nick, I bet it isn't even true."
"When you talk to him, tell him I am going to kiss him!" James announced, showing up next to us with Darien in tow. "That little blond boy is the best thing that ever happened to our sorry asses!"
I laughed. "See, J? Lighten up. Let's get a drink and decide what we should do with the single."
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