Chapter 107: 107
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May 5, 2012 – Saturday 7pm – Ironstone, East Ouigab.
"Inson! Ike! Bas.e.m.e.nt! Tayaw wants us there." I heard Bay-an's voice from the outside of our bedroom door while I was doing homework. "Hm? What's that about?" Ike asked. He and I are roommates and because our bedroom is huge, it's spacious for even the two of us. "I don't know." I said, but I got curious at the news.
Tayaw, since he 'left' the band, practically didn't monitor us as closely as he did before. Aside from tutoring us with our school subjects, and coaching me, Bay-an, and Hoon in our songwriting, Tayaw became almost a recluse. I was worried that he was depressed or something because he would lock himself in his room for days at a time. I hope that's not the case.
A few minutes later, I found myself in the bas.e.m.e.nt, with the band and Tayaw. "Alright. I didn't have time to check, but, your average grades, while still high, I noticed they've all decreased compared to the last semester." Tayaw began. This made me nervous. When I looked at the others, their faces don't look good too. "It's fine. Look, your grades are still fine. But if you guys are having a hard time, or you can't handle studying and going to school at the same time, I have to know as early as now." Tayaw continued.
"Honestly, I'm fine. I just didn't work as hard in my non-engineering subjects." Ike said boldly. His answer froze the room. It wasn't only Ike that did what he said, but I and the rest also neglected some of our subjects. Unlike Ike who is studying alone, I and the other four members are all classmates in Civil Engineering. So not only did we neglect our non-engineering subjects, the five of us agreed to do so. After all, why would we spend effort on those when there are more fun things to do like making music?
"Well… Judging from your faces, you five also did the same?" Tayaw said. We could only nod. "I mean. What would we use History and Culture for as future engineers anyway?" Hoon, the usually silent but frank dude, said frankly. "Do you agree?" Tayaw asked us. We nodded again, even more anxious than before.
"Alright cool." Tayaw smiled. His smile made me anxious even more. I've never actually seen Tayaw angry at us before, but somehow, I don't want to find out what an angry Tayaw looks like. The dude's very smart and is built like an athlete. Combine that, I could only imagine how he will be when angry.
"Cool?" Jenna asked. "Yeah. Cool. I agree. What would you need those subjects for as future engineers?" Tayaw said. This made us sigh in relief. "Cool then. Except for Ike, we all agreed to not care much about those subjects." Jenna said, now smiling. Jesus Christ, Jenna. Thankfully, Tayaw didn't take offense to her comment.
"But, are you guys having a hard time?" Tayaw asked again. I'm not and from what I know about the others, they're not either. It's busy, but I'm having fun. I don't know about the rest though. "Not really. I mean, we find our subjects easy. Because we know what the formulas and concepts are used for and we know how to use them, theoretically at least, they're easy to digest." Bay-an said. "And.. Even though we're busy, but that's fine with me. I'd rather do music that doing who knows what." Ramil explained my sentiments.
"Hmm. Do you also feel the same?" Tayaw asked me because I didn't speak up yet. "Yeah. I agree that it's easy. I also agree with Ramil. Some of my high school friends are still in the freshman year because they failed a lot of their subjects last year. If I played around like they did, I wouldn't be doing fine. I'm fine." I said. Which is true. My high school friends, who had better grades than me in high school, have picked up the habit of partying and smoking when we got to Ouigab for school. Because of those habits, some of them were either held back, or lost the support of their parents in their education so they went back home.
"Alright. Good. BUT! I still want you guys to stay healthy, alright?" Tayaw said. Tayaw already stopped cooking dinner for us since he came back from America last January, but his dishes made us health-conscious in our dietary decisions. Basically, all of us are scared to have a meal without greens or fruits. His generous 'allowance' he also gives us afford us to pool together our money to eat meat or fish every night. With how ripped Tayaw is, we were also influenced to maintain a healthy weight.
"Anyways. I called you guys here for a more positive reason. I want you to stop writing songs and going to vocal lessons for now. Ease up your prep for your gigs at ROH Factory too, then stop going starting next month." Tayaw switched the agenda of the meeting, but his other commands were a surprise for us. "I think that you guys are ready to release your first album." Tayaw revealed. The band exchanged looks at that, with varying emotions. The 'Vocalist Unit' looked excited, while me with the 'Songwriting Unit' exchanged looks in confusion.
Tayaw specifically told us that once we wrote enough songs that satisfied him, that's when he will help us make an album. However, since Tayaw started teaching me, Bay-an, and Hoon how to write songs, Tayaw did not seem to like our songs very much. "Are you… you're not making songs for us, are you?" I asked. I'm honestly disappointed if he did write songs for the band already. I worked hard for the past four months to write songs. I don't want them being scrapped.
"What? No. Out of the songs you three made, I chose ten songs that I think sound and feel the best." Tayaw said. Which confused me, Bay-an and Hoon more. "Our songs?" Bay-an asked in confusion. "I thought you didn't like them that much?" Hoon added. "Oh? When did I say that?" Tayaw said. I tried remembering, but he's right. I don't remember Tayaw saying exactly that he didn't like our songs. However, I think that's just Tayaw speaking sneakily. Me, Hoon and Bay-an all saw Tayaw's unimpressed face when he was listening to our songs.
"Yeah. But you didn't say you liked them either." I said. "Well.. Hnn. That's true. But I think they're good enough." Tayaw said. Which finally made me relieved. "Well? What songs did you choose?" Ike, who was unaware of the 'songwriting unit's' feelings, asked in excitement. "Here they are…" Tayaw started introducing the songs he chose to the band.
In the end, Tayaw chose three songs from Bay-an, three songs from Hoon, and four songs from me. A total of 10 songs. I'm glad looking at the list. I agree with Tayaw's choices. Before, when me, Hoon, and Bay-an were day-dreaming about which songs we want for our album, we all chose three songs each to contribute.
The songs that Tayaw chose are all the songs the three of us liked the best, plus one of my songs. "Oh! 'With My World'! I like this one!" Jenna said. That is one of my songs, thanks Jenna. "10 songs is shorter than the average album, but it's good enough for your debut." Tayaw started again. I'm not so confident with my songs though. Compared to Tayaw's songs, they're nothing special.
"BUT! You all three realize that your songs are still rough, right?" Tayaw asked me, Hoon, and Bay-an. I agree, that's why I'm not confident. Looking at Hoon and Bay-an's reactions, they don't seem to be confident as well. "Well? That's what's a band is for! You all six. I want you all to all contribute in arranging each of these 10 songs. Refine them, and when you're satisfied, let me have a listen." Tayaw continued. This. This is going to be amazing.
"YES! I have some ideas!" Ike said. "Me too. Sorry Bay-an, even though I like your songs, we could still make it sound better." Jenna said to her best friend in the band. "Alright. Cool." Bay-an rolled his eyes as he replied. Ouch. Poor Bay-an. But this is good. Ramil also once told me to change some things in my songs when I had the band listen to them, and when I followed his suggestion, it made my song better.
"I'm also warning you guys. During this process, you guys will have a LOT of disagreements with each other. Hell, you guys might even fight. BUT! That's a part of it. Even though some feelings may be hurt, don't forget that you're all doing this to make your first album the best it could be. Alright?" Tayaw said. I could totally see it happening. We already experienced a lot of disagreements when we were covering songs, but arranging and refining our own songs? That will be tough.
"SO. I suggest that you don't let your ego play into this. You can all argue, you can fight, but do not, I repeat, DO NOT attack each other personally. Do not attack each other's characters and personalities just to win. I want your actual inputs to do the talking. Once I see someone put their ego in this process, I will get involved." Tayaw concluded with a warning.
I admit that Tayaw's concern has its merit. I'm not going to say it to others, but I'm afraid that Jenna, Ramil, and Hoon, with their differing but strong personalities will end up dragging their pride and ego in this. Thankfully, with Tayaw's warning and how serious the band's expressions are at his words, it looks like I don't have to be worried about them anymore.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
May 5, 2012 – Saturday 7pm – Ironstone, East Ouigab.
"Inson! Ike! Bas.e.m.e.nt! Tayaw wants us there." I heard Bay-an's voice from the outside of our bedroom door while I was doing homework. "Hm? What's that about?" Ike asked. He and I are roommates and because our bedroom is huge, it's spacious for even the two of us. "I don't know." I said, but I got curious at the news.
Tayaw, since he 'left' the band, practically didn't monitor us as closely as he did before. Aside from tutoring us with our school subjects, and coaching me, Bay-an, and Hoon in our songwriting, Tayaw became almost a recluse. I was worried that he was depressed or something because he would lock himself in his room for days at a time. I hope that's not the case.
A few minutes later, I found myself in the bas.e.m.e.nt, with the band and Tayaw. "Alright. I didn't have time to check, but, your average grades, while still high, I noticed they've all decreased compared to the last semester." Tayaw began. This made me nervous. When I looked at the others, their faces don't look good too. "It's fine. Look, your grades are still fine. But if you guys are having a hard time, or you can't handle studying and going to school at the same time, I have to know as early as now." Tayaw continued.
"Honestly, I'm fine. I just didn't work as hard in my non-engineering subjects." Ike said boldly. His answer froze the room. It wasn't only Ike that did what he said, but I and the rest also neglected some of our subjects. Unlike Ike who is studying alone, I and the other four members are all classmates in Civil Engineering. So not only did we neglect our non-engineering subjects, the five of us agreed to do so. After all, why would we spend effort on those when there are more fun things to do like making music?
"Well… Judging from your faces, you five also did the same?" Tayaw said. We could only nod. "I mean. What would we use History and Culture for as future engineers anyway?" Hoon, the usually silent but frank dude, said frankly. "Do you agree?" Tayaw asked us. We nodded again, even more anxious than before.
"Alright cool." Tayaw smiled. His smile made me anxious even more. I've never actually seen Tayaw angry at us before, but somehow, I don't want to find out what an angry Tayaw looks like. The dude's very smart and is built like an athlete. Combine that, I could only imagine how he will be when angry.
"Cool?" Jenna asked. "Yeah. Cool. I agree. What would you need those subjects for as future engineers?" Tayaw said. This made us sigh in relief. "Cool then. Except for Ike, we all agreed to not care much about those subjects." Jenna said, now smiling. Jesus Christ, Jenna. Thankfully, Tayaw didn't take offense to her comment.
"But, are you guys having a hard time?" Tayaw asked again. I'm not and from what I know about the others, they're not either. It's busy, but I'm having fun. I don't know about the rest though. "Not really. I mean, we find our subjects easy. Because we know what the formulas and concepts are used for and we know how to use them, theoretically at least, they're easy to digest." Bay-an said. "And.. Even though we're busy, but that's fine with me. I'd rather do music that doing who knows what." Ramil explained my sentiments.
"Hmm. Do you also feel the same?" Tayaw asked me because I didn't speak up yet. "Yeah. I agree that it's easy. I also agree with Ramil. Some of my high school friends are still in the freshman year because they failed a lot of their subjects last year. If I played around like they did, I wouldn't be doing fine. I'm fine." I said. Which is true. My high school friends, who had better grades than me in high school, have picked up the habit of partying and smoking when we got to Ouigab for school. Because of those habits, some of them were either held back, or lost the support of their parents in their education so they went back home.
"Alright. Good. BUT! I still want you guys to stay healthy, alright?" Tayaw said. Tayaw already stopped cooking dinner for us since he came back from America last January, but his dishes made us health-conscious in our dietary decisions. Basically, all of us are scared to have a meal without greens or fruits. His generous 'allowance' he also gives us afford us to pool together our money to eat meat or fish every night. With how ripped Tayaw is, we were also influenced to maintain a healthy weight.
"Anyways. I called you guys here for a more positive reason. I want you to stop writing songs and going to vocal lessons for now. Ease up your prep for your gigs at ROH Factory too, then stop going starting next month." Tayaw switched the agenda of the meeting, but his other commands were a surprise for us. "I think that you guys are ready to release your first album." Tayaw revealed. The band exchanged looks at that, with varying emotions. The 'Vocalist Unit' looked excited, while me with the 'Songwriting Unit' exchanged looks in confusion.
Tayaw specifically told us that once we wrote enough songs that satisfied him, that's when he will help us make an album. However, since Tayaw started teaching me, Bay-an, and Hoon how to write songs, Tayaw did not seem to like our songs very much. "Are you… you're not making songs for us, are you?" I asked. I'm honestly disappointed if he did write songs for the band already. I worked hard for the past four months to write songs. I don't want them being scrapped.
"What? No. Out of the songs you three made, I chose ten songs that I think sound and feel the best." Tayaw said. Which confused me, Bay-an and Hoon more. "Our songs?" Bay-an asked in confusion. "I thought you didn't like them that much?" Hoon added. "Oh? When did I say that?" Tayaw said. I tried remembering, but he's right. I don't remember Tayaw saying exactly that he didn't like our songs. However, I think that's just Tayaw speaking sneakily. Me, Hoon and Bay-an all saw Tayaw's unimpressed face when he was listening to our songs.
"Yeah. But you didn't say you liked them either." I said. "Well.. Hnn. That's true. But I think they're good enough." Tayaw said. Which finally made me relieved. "Well? What songs did you choose?" Ike, who was unaware of the 'songwriting unit's' feelings, asked in excitement. "Here they are…" Tayaw started introducing the songs he chose to the band.
In the end, Tayaw chose three songs from Bay-an, three songs from Hoon, and four songs from me. A total of 10 songs. I'm glad looking at the list. I agree with Tayaw's choices. Before, when me, Hoon, and Bay-an were day-dreaming about which songs we want for our album, we all chose three songs each to contribute.
The songs that Tayaw chose are all the songs the three of us liked the best, plus one of my songs. "Oh! 'With My World'! I like this one!" Jenna said. That is one of my songs, thanks Jenna. "10 songs is shorter than the average album, but it's good enough for your debut." Tayaw started again. I'm not so confident with my songs though. Compared to Tayaw's songs, they're nothing special.
"BUT! You all three realize that your songs are still rough, right?" Tayaw asked me, Hoon, and Bay-an. I agree, that's why I'm not confident. Looking at Hoon and Bay-an's reactions, they don't seem to be confident as well. "Well? That's what's a band is for! You all six. I want you all to all contribute in arranging each of these 10 songs. Refine them, and when you're satisfied, let me have a listen." Tayaw continued. This. This is going to be amazing.
"YES! I have some ideas!" Ike said. "Me too. Sorry Bay-an, even though I like your songs, we could still make it sound better." Jenna said to her best friend in the band. "Alright. Cool." Bay-an rolled his eyes as he replied. Ouch. Poor Bay-an. But this is good. Ramil also once told me to change some things in my songs when I had the band listen to them, and when I followed his suggestion, it made my song better.
"I'm also warning you guys. During this process, you guys will have a LOT of disagreements with each other. Hell, you guys might even fight. BUT! That's a part of it. Even though some feelings may be hurt, don't forget that you're all doing this to make your first album the best it could be. Alright?" Tayaw said. I could totally see it happening. We already experienced a lot of disagreements when we were covering songs, but arranging and refining our own songs? That will be tough.
"SO. I suggest that you don't let your ego play into this. You can all argue, you can fight, but do not, I repeat, DO NOT attack each other personally. Do not attack each other's characters and personalities just to win. I want your actual inputs to do the talking. Once I see someone put their ego in this process, I will get involved." Tayaw concluded with a warning.
I admit that Tayaw's concern has its merit. I'm not going to say it to others, but I'm afraid that Jenna, Ramil, and Hoon, with their differing but strong personalities will end up dragging their pride and ego in this. Thankfully, with Tayaw's warning and how serious the band's expressions are at his words, it looks like I don't have to be worried about them anymore.
May 5, 2012 Saturday 7pm Ironstone, East Ouigab. "Inson! Ike! Bas.e.m.e.nt! Tayaw wants us there." I heard Bay-an's voice from the outside of our bedroom door while I was doing homework. "Hm? What's that about?" Ike asked. He and I are roommates and because our bedroom is huge, it's spacious for even the two of us. "I don't know." I said, but I got curious at the news. Tayaw, since he 'left' the band, practically didn't monitor us as closely as he did before. Aside from tutoring us with our school subjects, and coaching me, Bay-an, and Hoon in our songwriting, Tayaw became almost a recluse. I was worried that he was depressed or something because he would lock himself in his room for days at a time. I hope that's not the case. A few minutes later, I found myself in the bas.e.m.e.nt, with the band and Tayaw. "Alright. I didn't have time to check, but, your average grades, while still high, I noticed they've all decreased compared to the last semester." Tayaw began. This made me nervous. When I looked at the others, their faces don't look good too. "It's fine. Look, your grades are still fine. But if you guys are having a hard time, or you can't handle studying and going to school at the same time, I have to know as early as now." Tayaw continued. "Honestly, I'm fine. I just didn't work as hard in my non-engineering subjects." Ike said boldly. His answer froze the room. It wasn't only Ike that did what he said, but I and the rest also neglected some of our subjects. Unlike Ike who is studying alone, I and the other four members are all classmates in Civil Engineering. So not only did we neglect our non-engineering subjects, the five of us agreed to do so. After all, why would we spend effort on those when there are more fun things to do like making music? "Well Judging from your faces, you five also did the same?" Tayaw said. We could only nod. "I mean. What would we use History and Culture for as future engineers anyway?" Hoon, the usually silent but frank dude, said frankly. "Do you agree?" Tayaw asked us. We nodded again, even more anxious than before. "Alright cool." Tayaw smiled. His smile made me anxious even more. I've never actually seen Tayaw angry at us before, but somehow, I don't want to find out what an angry Tayaw looks like. The dude's very smart and is built like an athlete. Combine that, I could only imagine how he will be when angry. "Cool?" Jenna asked. "Yeah. Cool. I agree. What would you need those subjects for as future engineers?" Tayaw said. This made us sigh in relief. "Cool then. Except for Ike, we all agreed to not care much about those subjects." Jenna said, now smiling. Jesus Christ, Jenna. Thankfully, Tayaw didn't take offense to her comment. "But, are you guys having a hard time?" Tayaw asked again. I'm not and from what I know about the others, they're not either. It's busy, but I'm having fun. I don't know about the rest though. "Not really. I mean, we find our subjects easy. Because we know what the formulas and concepts are used for and we know how to use them, theoretically at least, they're easy to digest." Bay-an said. "And.. Even though we're busy, but that's fine with me. I'd rather do music that doing who knows what." Ramil explained my sentiments. "Hmm. Do you also feel the same?" Tayaw asked me because I didn't speak up yet. "Yeah. I agree that it's easy. I also agree with Ramil. Some of my high school friends are still in the freshman year because they failed a lot of their subjects last year. If I played around like they did, I wouldn't be doing fine. I'm fine." I said. Which is true. My high school friends, who had better grades than me in high school, have picked up the habit of partying and smoking when we got to Ouigab for school. Because of those habits, some of them were either held back, or lost the support of their parents in their education so they went back home. "Alright. Good. BUT! I still want you guys to stay healthy, alright?" Tayaw said. Tayaw already stopped cooking dinner for us since he came back from America last January, but his dishes made us health-conscious in our dietary decisions. Basically, all of us are scared to have a meal without greens or fruits. His generous 'allowance' he also gives us afford us to pool together our money to eat meat or fish every night. With how ripped Tayaw is, we were also influenced to maintain a healthy weight. "Anyways. I called you guys here for a more positive reason. I want you to stop writing songs and going to vocal lessons for now. Ease up your prep for your gigs at ROH Factory too, then stop going starting next month." Tayaw switched the agenda of the meeting, but his other commands were a surprise for us. "I think that you guys are ready to release your first album." Tayaw revealed. The band exchanged looks at that, with varying emotions. The 'Vocalist Unit' looked excited, while me with the 'Songwriting Unit' exchanged looks in confusion. Tayaw specifically told us that once we wrote enough songs that satisfied him, that's when he will help us make an album. However, since Tayaw started teaching me, Bay-an, and Hoon how to write songs, Tayaw did not seem to like our songs very much. "Are you you're not making songs for us, are you?" I asked. I'm honestly disappointed if he did write songs for the band already. I worked hard for the past four months to write songs. I don't want them being scrapped. "What? No. Out of the songs you three made, I chose ten songs that I think sound and feel the best." Tayaw said. Which confused me, Bay-an and Hoon more. "Our songs?" Bay-an asked in confusion. "I thought you didn't like them that much?" Hoon added. "Oh? When did I say that?" Tayaw said. I tried remembering, but he's right. I don't remember Tayaw saying exactly that he didn't like our songs. However, I think that's just Tayaw speaking sneakily. Me, Hoon and Bay-an all saw Tayaw's unimpressed face when he was listening to our songs. "Yeah. But you didn't say you liked them either." I said. "Well.. Hnn. That's true. But I think they're good enough." Tayaw said. Which finally made me relieved. "Well? What songs did you choose?" Ike, who was unaware of the 'songwriting unit's' feelings, asked in excitement. "Here they are" Tayaw started introducing the songs he chose to the band. In the end, Tayaw chose three songs from Bay-an, three songs from Hoon, and four songs from me. A total of 10 songs. I'm glad looking at the list. I agree with Tayaw's choices. Before, when me, Hoon, and Bay-an were day-dreaming about which songs we want for our album, we all chose three songs each to contribute. The songs that Tayaw chose are all the songs the three of us liked the best, plus one of my songs. "Oh! 'With My World'! I like this one!" Jenna said. That is one of my songs, thanks Jenna. "10 songs is shorter than the average album, but it's good enough for your debut." Tayaw started again. I'm not so confident with my songs though. Compared to Tayaw's songs, they're nothing special. "BUT! You all three realize that your songs are still rough, right?" Tayaw asked me, Hoon, and Bay-an. I agree, that's why I'm not confident. Looking at Hoon and Bay-an's reactions, they don't seem to be confident as well. "Well? That's what's a band is for! You all six. I want you all to all contribute in arranging each of these 10 songs. Refine them, and when you're satisfied, let me have a listen." Tayaw continued. This. This is going to be amazing. "YES! I have some ideas!" Ike said. "Me too. Sorry Bay-an, even though I like your songs, we could still make it sound better." Jenna said to her best friend in the band. "Alright. Cool." Bay-an rolled his eyes as he replied. Ouch. Poor Bay-an. But this is good. Ramil also once told me to change some things in my songs when I had the band listen to them, and when I followed his suggestion, it made my song better. "I'm also warning you guys. During this process, you guys will have a LOT of disagreements with each other. Hell, you guys might even fight. BUT! That's a part of it. Even though some feelings may be hurt, don't forget that you're all doing this to make your first album the best it could be. Alright?" Tayaw said. I could totally see it happening. We already experienced a lot of disagreements when we were covering songs, but arranging and refining our own songs? That will be tough. "SO. I suggest that you don't let your ego play into this. You can all argue, you can fight, but do not, I repeat, DO NOT attack each other personally. Do not attack each other's characters and personalities just to win. I want your actual inputs to do the talking. Once I see someone put their ego in this process, I will get involved." Tayaw concluded with a warning. I admit that Tayaw's concern has its merit. I'm not going to say it to others, but I'm afraid that Jenna, Ramil, and Hoon, with their differing but strong personalities will end up dragging their pride and ego in this. Thankfully, with Tayaw's warning and how serious the band's expressions are at his words, it looks like I don't have to be worried about them anymore.
