Downfall Of Amplification -Phan-

prologue

The camera zooms in closer as Dan smiles into the familiar black lens.  His hair is long, past his ears tickling the top of his neck.  It's curly, by choice or not.  At the start of the show, it was straight but perhaps the sweat has turned it into its natural form.  His eyes are warm and friendly, he's young, only eighteen.  Graduating high school only a month ago.  You can see it on his face, the way his body is positioned.  The youthfullness is refreshing. 

"This is Dan Howell of Corrupted Connection!"  A low voice says in an interview like manner.  Why do all interviewers have a smooth voice?  Is it part of the job description?  

The energy in the room is unmistakable, obviously coming from the star who perks a bit at his name, "That's me."  He leans back on the couch, relaxing a bit, his microphone lightly held in his hand.

"This is your first tour, correct?"  The interviewer asks as the camera moves readjusting to get them both in the frame.  The other band members don't seem to be present. 

Dan nods, "Yeah, well it was hard to do any touring while I was in school."  

"How was that? Having your song blow up while you were..."  He trails off hoping Dan will pick up on his confusion.

Dan does effortlessly, "Seventeen."

"Seventeen, yes."  He says like it was common knowledge, "You were a senior, is that right?"

"Uh, yeah,"  Dan says in a low voice, his words kinda draping together, "It was incredibly weird.  I never expected anything to happen with the song.  I just wrote to write, you know?  But anyways, people who never even noticed me were asking for me to come to parties.  Everyone wanted to be my friend after that happened.  Even my English teacher asked for my autograph." 

The interviewer laughs, "Are you serious?"

"Dead."  Dan lifts his arm up to prop it behind his head, "I never had friends before that.  I never needed them."  He purses his lips, "That sounds kinda pretentious, I didn't mean it like that.  Don't pity me.  I always kept to myself.  Didn't need them."  

The interviewer looks down at a small notepad he has with him and he nods as he remembers another question, "So tell us about the song that started it all.  Bright Lights and Eyes.  Catchy name."  Dan smiles as thanks, "What inspired it, what's the story?" 

"Well."  Dan laughs leaning forward once again, "I worked at my mum's music store, everyone knows that.  That's how I picked up on guitar and drums and stuff. Anyway, I saved up all my money and went to London to see Sixth Operation.  It was amazing, the lights, the people, the everything."  Dan pauses as to think of what to say, the camera focusing closer, "There was this guy there, our eyes met for a second and he just walked over.  We barely talked, we didn't talk.  We just kinda, uh danced together?"  Dan laughs under his breath, "So after the concert he just whispers in my ear, 'let's get out of here.'" 

"That's where the lyric, 'let's go, my love, somewhere far away/ let's get out of here, I needed you yesterday' comes from?" That's the lyrics leading to the chorus where everything goes quiet and the only sound is Dan's voice and the ringing from the guitar.

Dan smiles sheepishly, "I dramatized it a bit I guess, but yeah."  There was no surprise the song was written about a boy.  People were drawn to Dan's mysteriousness, how he was fluid, going with whatever.  Wearing eyeliner and talking about boys and girls, "So there was this really intense taxi ride where we both knew what was happening, both ready, I guess you could say.  And the tension was really building, I think you can pick that out in the song.  And then when we finally get to this shitty hotel- oh whoops can I swear?"

"Yeah man, no fucking problem."  

"This hotel, it was dull but we made it everything.  Thats when the song just climaxes, no pun intended."  Dan chuckles under his breath, "But yeah that song was written about the first time I had sex.  And I wrote it that night after he fell asleep on the little notepad in the room.  Went home that next day and recorded it my mom's friends studio.  She has I guess inside connections since she's in the music business kinda.  Her friend, Mike, who now works as my manager let me fuck around in his studio with it.  I played everything in that song and layred it together.  Guess he thought it was good because he passed it to some company and it played on the radio." 

"And that's how Dan Howell became who he is." The interviewer nodded.  This was probably the best reaction he's gotten from a popular musician.  Most deny interviews or even if they do agree they'll be defiant, hard to work with.  Dan was different.  He enjoyed talking about his music, opening up to everyone. 

"I suppose so, it all happened so fast I barely know how to react."  Dan admits.

"Dan?"  The camera spins to the door behind them and in pops a tall man with dirty blonde hair and deep set green eyes, "We gotta get going if you want to make it to Chicago on time." 

"Thanks for your time."  The interviewer stands up and shakes Dans hand, "Enjoy Chicago."

"Yeah, no problem."  Dan hands back the microphone and the camera follows his body until he dissapears out the door.  The tape clicks black. 

AN: New story ya'll.  YippIE.  ALso I might change the title, it's still a work in progress.  Just wanted to get this out tonight.