Lover/Leaver (Jake Kiszka)

Chapter 2: The Preparation

The sun had long set over the Boston skyline by the time Amelia and The Echoes gathered at their studio for an intensive rehearsal session just a couple days before meeting with Greta Van Fleet. The small space buzzed with a mix of excitement and anxiety as they prepared for their upcoming meeting. This was their chance to shine, and none of them wanted to leave anything to chance that.

"Alright, let's get down to business," Amelia said, setting her guitar case down and plugging in her Stratocaster. "We need to nail this if we want to impress them."

"Agreed," Lisa said adjusting the mic stand to her height. "So which songs are we going to play for them?"

"We need a mix that shows off our range and energy," Max chimed in, sitting behind his drum kit. "How about we start with Electric Heart?"

"Good choice," Eddie agreed tuning his bass. "It's got that catchy hook and a killer solo for Amelia."

Amelia nodded. "Electric Heart it is. What else?"

"Midnight Run has that great driving beat," Lisa suggested. "It's one of our best live tracks."

"And we should include Burning Bridges," Max added. "It's slower, but it shows our versatility and has powerful lyrics."

"Perfect," Amelia said, jotting down the setlist in her notebook. "Electric Heart, Midnight Run, and Burning Bridges. Let's run through them a few times and iron out any kinks."

They launched into their first song, Electric Heart, the familiar riff filled the room and Lisa's voice soared above the driving rhythm section. Amelia's fingers flew over the fretboard, her solo cutting through the air with precision and passion. As they played, Mike, their manager, walked in, carrying a bag of take out and a look of determination.

"Hey, Mike," Amelia greeted him during a brief pause. "Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Mike said, setting the food on a table. "I want to hear what you've got. This meeting is a big deal."

"Tell us about it," Lisa said taking a swig of water. "We've been practicing all day."

Mike nodded. "Let's see what you've been working on."

They launched back into "Electric Heart," this time with Mike watching intently. Amelia felt the pressure mounting, but she focused on the music, losing herself in the rhythm. The song ended, and Mike clapped, a broad smile on his face.

"That was solid," He said. "Really tight, let's hear the next one"

"Midnight Run" was next, its driving beat and catchy chorus resonating in the small space. Max's drumming was flawless, providing a perfect backbone for Eddie's bassline and Lisa's powerful vocals. Amelia's riffs added an edge that elevated the song further. Mike nodded along, clearly impressed.

"Underneath the city lights, chasing dreams through the night, a rebel heart, a restless soul, on the edge out of control" Lisa sang her heart out.

Finally, they moved on to "Burning Bridges." The slower tempo and haunting lyrics showcased a different side of The Echoes. Lisa's voice was filled with emotion, and Amelia's guitar was both subtle and striking, blending seamlessly with the rhythm section.

When they finished, Mike stood up and applauded. "You guys are ready. These songs are fantastic choices."

"Thanks, Mike," Amelia said, wiping sweat from her brow. "But we still need to make sure everything's perfect."

"Agreed," Lisa said. "Let's run through them again. We can't afford any mistakes."

As the night wore on, they played each song multiple times, fine-tuning their performance. The initial excitement gave way to exhaustion, but none of them were willing to stop. They knew how crucial this opportunity was.