Nino's POV:
We walked into the studio as I warmed up my hands inside my jacket pocket. It was in a big building and it was the first time we were going to meet Mike Green in person. I was a nervous mess with practically zero studio experience. I told myself, Nino calm down, you've been waiting for this for years! The band and I make it upstairs and Mike greets us with an empty mug in his hand. This man produced a lot of my favorite songs and albums; it was crazy that I was here working with him.
"Hello, everyone! Welcome, come in!" he enthusiastically greeted us and let us inside.
It was much warmer in the studio so we all shrugged off our jacket, hanging them on the coat hangers clung to the walls. He had many cool and tiny pieces, frames, toys, and instruments he collected displayed everywhere. Tay admired a strange instrument, it turned out to be a kalimba. Mike explained how the ending bit of "Props and Mayhem" by Pierce The Veil. was made using it.
"How are you guys enjoying Sheffield?" he asked, sitting on a desk chair as we all took seats on the stalls and the couch.
Mads was getting comfortable next to me as Nina sat next on the chair next to Gabi. Gabi was been standing up next to Nina, arms crossed listening to everything Mike had to say. Meanwhile, Tay was fumbling with some drumsticks she found, showing them enthusiastically to Bert.
"It's pretty cool around here, we discovered some local restaurants. We've been buying chinese take-out every night," Mads said, laughing nervously.
"I see, the food here is wonderful. If you guys need any suggestions for anything, let me know," he offered.
We all nodded and the room fell silent for a moment. Gabi suddenly seemed to find her voice and began to introduce everyone.
"Oh! I forgot to introduce everyone, me forgetting things as usual," Gabi laughed nervously, trying to lighten the slight tension and nervousness between all of us.
She continued, "This is Nina, our frontman. They do lead vocals and play rhythm guitar alongside Nino, our lead guitarist. Nino also does backing vocals! This is Mads, our bassist," Gabi pointed to each of us as we smiled and nodded in response to our introductions.
Gabi laughed slightly before introducing Taylor, "Last but not definitely not least," she winked at Tay before resuming, "This is Taylor, but everyone calls her Tay. She does boom boom bang crash for us," Gabi said while playing the air-drums.
Mike nodded and laughed before stopping for a second to think, "What about you two?" he pointed towards Gabi and Bert.
"Oh! I'm Gabi, their manager," Gabi said before quickly shaking his hand, "That's Bert; our best friend and photographer!"
Bert waved shyly at Mike who smiled at him.
"Awesome! I'm excited to work with you guys," Mike nodded before resuming his sentence, "As far as I know, you guys are going for a post-hardcore and metalcore feel for this album, correct?" Mike questioned, an eyebrow raised as he gestured with his hands.
"We are! We all take a lot of inspiration from a lot of earlier bands. Pierce The Veil, Bring Me The Horizon, Tonight Alive, bands like that!" I answered eagerly, squirming in my seat as I was excited to finally get things going in the studio.
"Yup! We all wanted to take inspiration specifically from "Selfish Machines" by Pierce the Veil so I hope that gives you an idea of what sound we're going for," Nina added.
"Sounds great to me! I'll give you guys 30 minutes alone in the studio to look around at the equipment. You're free to use and discuss ideas. There are compinetary notebooks and pens incase you need to write any thoughts or lyrics, whatever you want," Mike explained to us, "Does anyone want anything from Starbucks?" he also offered, getting up from his chair and pulling his jacket on.
