The Grey- Noah Sebastian

seventeen

*Noah's POV*

We were in LA for a few days before our manager wanted to meet with us. The guys and I spent those days either practicing or beginning to lay the ground work for the next album, so it was definitely productive. We definitely wanted to play with a lot of new things, and maybe have some people play strings on it, but we don't know how just yet. 

He asked to meet at his office, so we knew it was serious business. We tried to relax into our seats, but all of us were pretty nervous. "First off, hey guys, I'm really happy to see you again! I think that your past two tours have definitely helped you gain some momentum, but I think you're ready for more, am I right?" We all timidly nodded, and he slid a flier to me. It was us for a tour of Parkway Drive and Stick to Your Guns. I about fell out of my chair with excitement! I took a moment to get up and pace for a moment to avoid myself screaming, but the Nicks did not get the memo because they got up and started jumping and screaming with me.

"I'll be so honest," I started. "I know that Nic and I have listened to these two bands for years! This is so sick!" We calmed down and sat back down at the table, my manager smiling at us. "What are the dates on this one?" I asked, and I couldn't wipe the smile from my face at all. 

"It'll be from April 26th to May 12th, and it's mostly the South and the Midwest, so honestly, the travel won't be as strenuous as getting all the way out West," he offered, still smiling. "Now, let's talk about the next album." It's time to be tense again, almost all of sat straight up. "I know you guys like to take as much time to make it perfect, and I commend you, but what do you think is the likelihood of having a new album next year?" 

"I think that we could have something out towards the tail end of next year, maybe fall," I offered, looking to Jolly, who nodded. "We can intentionally begin really working on it now," I offered again. 

"I think that's really doable," our manager returned. "I think if we could shoot for an album by winter and a couple of singles in the fall, that that would be a good schedule. I just didn't know how many things you had fully prepared just yet," he offered, to help us continue our thoughts.

"We definitely have a lot of odds and ends already, we just need to piece it all together," Jolly responded.

"Good! It's a good start. Now, if you guys wanted to move out here to really get into it, I would foot the bill of your moving expenses and help you look for a good place to rent that will get you the space you like creating in so that you're not constantly in a studio like you are now," I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, already dreading these conversations I'm about to have. "Think about it. I think that LA looks good on you guys, and I think that you guys are really going to hit a massive break during this next album, and I'm not saying that out of obligation. I just really have faith in you guys." We said our thank you's and we headed back to our Airbnb, sitting in silence the whole drive. 

When we got back to our place, we immediately sat on the couches and gathered our thoughts. "Can I start?" Folio offered, to which we all nodded. "I think that he's right, as far as us moving here. I think that we work with clearer minds and greater speed out here. It doesn't have to be for forever, but I think it's good to consider for the sake of our creative process. I just have a really good feeling about it."

"I'm with him," Jolly interjected. "I'm also super excited for this tour," he said with a rare smile.

"I'm also really excited for this tour, but I don't know if I want to permanently move," Nic answered honestly. "I love this and tattooing equally, and I don't want to lose my client base more than I already have been." We all nodded in understanding. "But I can still work with tour scheduling and practices, as well as recording when you guys have everything together, if that's okay."