The Only Living Boy in New York

FORTY

Van

"Go again."

I shot a glance at Dave as I waited for Copper to begin his vocals. We'd been in the studio for three days and we're finalizing Copper's vocals, it was the last thing we had left to do before we finished some mixing.

Copper grunted but as the music started, his demeanor changed and he closed his eyes while he found the words and pulled them into existence on a harmony. He could sing, and he could hold onto notes for an eternity. His stage presence was something magnetic but his studio work was off the charts. I knew it, Dave knew it and Austin knew it, so I'd spent the day pushing him into places he wouldn't have gone alone, and the result was far beyond anything I'd imagined.

I made him do the take three more times although I knew we had one secured, but I wanted to be sure. I could tell everyone was tired and it was getting late. I was no stranger to studio life, especially when I was working on something I believed in. I could go all night at this and I knew Dave could, too but this was new territory for the Deadcoast. Even Copper was getting belligerent and up until now, he'd been the one gunning for the goal.

After his third take I pressed the button on the soundboard as Dave flicked on some lights. "We got it. Take your headphones off, Cop. You're done."

There was a sigh of relief throughout the entire studio as he exited the booth and joined us and the band in the sound room.

"I told you guys this wasn't going to be easy. I told you it was serious."

I was met by nods and tired eyes, and to be fair, I'd looked like that when I was younger, too. It was grueling work creating an EP, worse when you were creating an album, but The Deadcoast surprised me. They showed up on time and sober every day. There was no messing around when it came to their work. They were open to Dave's suggestions and a few of my changes to some of their lyrics. Nothing that changed the trajectory of the songs by any means, just some hints on how to make things better.

"So, we can go?" Garrett spoke up from behind us and I smiled.

"Yes. I think we've all had enough for today. You guys did great, now we just have to finish mixing, which is mainly Dave and I, but you should all still be heavily involved. Can we plan for the same time tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. We want to soak up as much time here as we can, and we only have two more days left." Austin spoke up from where he was seated behind me.

"I'll play around with some tonight." Dave mumbled as he nodded toward me. "Need you to stick around for a few so don't be running out just yet."

I smiled. "You got it. Boys, we'll see you tomorrow. Get some sleep, and great job. Seriously."

Copper wiped his eyes and half smiled. "Thanks McCann. See you soon." They waved and said their goodbyes as they made their way toward the lobby. When the door closed I sank to the couch behind the soundboard as Dave grabbed a beer out of the fridge.

"You?"

I waved my hand through the air.

"Fuck man, old habits die hard. I'm sorry."

"You're alright. I could handle one...I just don't think I need to."

Dave didn't comment because Dave knew there was nothing else to say. Instead he leaned back in his chair and sighed. "You know...I really thought you were going to jam me up with these kids, but I was wrong."

"They're pretty great, eh?"

"Beyond great. They should have a label secured already. They're not going to be independent for too long that's for sure. Hate to see what happens when one of the industry blood suckers gets their hands on them though. They'll be ruined. Kind of like..." Dave's words traveled off as his eyes landed on mine.