Playing On Heart Strings - Tokio Hotel

Chapter 3: Whatever It Takes

Recalling the performance in front of the board is still a challenge for Maya. She can't remember much. She recalls being very nervous, and trying her best to stay calm. When they finished their last song, they got a polite applause from the board. Everyone's attention was directed to the CEO. He didn't seem to mind all the eyes on him, as he is reading through his notes. He started off by praising the band members. Sigmund has a better flow, Oscar's voice sounds better... Carlo seems much more confident... When he finishes his notes to the boys, he looks up at Maya. She felt her heart beating in her chest. "You're still not quite there Maya... It's quite visible that the boys have way more experience." 

Maya felt tears forming in her eyes. The boys shared concerned looks. Maya looked tired, and the bandages around her fingertips didn't help. Sigmund felt sorry for her, and patted her on the back. The CEO sighed. "The only way this can work with this lineup is if Maya has guitar lessons everyday. Ronnie will be paid to stay as long as he is needed, until Maya is good enough." Maya looks down. She felt humiliated. She and Ronnie had worked so hard. Her hands were numb, and she had given so much this past week. Maya had never worked this hard in her life... 

The producer, Gunnar, coughs slightly. "Not to interrupt, but Maya's current skill is good enough for me and Ronnie to guide her through recording. Ronnie can give her lessons while we record the band's first songs under the label." The CEO looks at him, like he was thinking about his offer. He turns to Lena. "What would be their time limit to get her skilled enough?" Lena shrugged. "Well... To be honest, Ronnie could also be hired when they would go on their first tour. He could also be there under rehearsals, to correct her if needed." 

The CEO looked conflicted. He looks at the band. "Well guys... Maya will need some extra attention. That is an extra expense for us... What is your opinion on this Ronnie? Be honest." Ronnie nodded slightly. "Maya was quite nervous today. She has performed better when we practiced. I think she will improve quickly if I get a couple months with her." Ronnie sent Maya a quick smile. The CEO nodded slightly. He then stood up. "Well. I think the board agrees with itself, despite my worries. We will sign you guys. Congratulations."

After that, things moved quickly. Lukas turned into the group's manager, and Gunnar their main producer. They got moved into a small apartment together in Stockholm. They were at the studio everyday, preparing their upcoming releases. The boys had to succumb to some changes though. As expected, the label didn't like the bandname "Formula of Insanity". The CEO himself made time to attend the name change meeting. 

They would then be called "Lagom Ethics". The boys were all pretty surprised. "I don't even know what it means." Oscar complained. Apparently "Lagom" means "just enough" in Swedish, while "Ethics" means "examines the rational justification for our moral judgments; it studies what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust." Sigmund and Carlo looked at eachother with confused looks. Oscar fell off during the Swedish translation. "So... It means we have just enough moral judgments? Not too little or too much?" Sigmund asked. The board nodded. Oscar laughed and jokingly said "That means you guys will get just enough good moral judgement from me. Not an inch more than needed. Living up to the name."

 The name was heavily discussed by the band internally for a long time. Until Sigmund one day said: "Well. We can't change it. Let's just make good music and then we can shit all we want on the name when we can stand on our own feet, and join another label." Carlo laughed at him. "We haven't even released anything, and you're already planning our escape?" He asked. Sigmund smirked at him. "My job is to be five steps ahead of you guys, isn't it?" 

The plan was for Lagom Ethics to release a single, and then an album. A tour would then be set in motion if the releases did well enough. However, the production team wouldn't let them in on anything else after this tour. It seemed for Carlo and Sigmund,who decided to investigate, that the board was split. They couldn't find out what the options were, but the company wanted to see some results before deciding anything else.