𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐞 → 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬 (𝐢𝐢)

thirteen* [s]

monday,
april 22nd, 2020

SHAWN MENDES

"Fuck yeah!" I beam, ready to record a brand new song.

We're all gathered in the studio in Malibu due to a last minute inspiration wave. Everybody flew out late last night and we've written an entire song today. I'm thinking of dropping it as a single during or before tour. Even though my first album was only released a couple months ago, I'm constantly writing.

"Sounds great dude!" Geoff calls from outside the recording booth.

I nod and smile a proud grin.

The backing vocals and music for 'If I Can't Have You' play through the thick headphones I'm wearing. Within five minutes, the track is recorded and I'm buzzing with excitement. I take a second shot and then a third. We all listen intently before deciding the second recording is best. In this song, it's obvious that I've played around with my vocal range and skills and I'm looking forward to portraying that to my fans. The second album won't be out for at least another year, but I already can't wait for that, too. I'm far too proud of this song to wait to add it in the album, I want it to be my next single. As anyone who knows me could surely guess, of course it's about Trinity. But this time, it's more upbeat. A complete contrast to songs like 'Why' and 'In My Arms'.

The band and team cheer as we wrap up the recording session. Earlier today, we decided I should rehearse a little for tour considering we're in the studio. I sang through the album and when I reached 'Perfectly Wrong', I burst into tears. Andrew consoled me out on the deck, but I forced myself to man up for the sake of everyone else here.

Later on, it's dark out, and I grab a beer from the fridge and join Jon outside. Everybody else has driven back to our usual nearby hotel. There's only three bedrooms here, so Jon and Geoff are staying. Geoff is already asleep.

Jon Vinyl is a new friend of mine that I socialised with online. I found his music and was immediately obsessed and awestruck by his talent. I reached out, only to discover he lives in Toronto, too. We went for a few drinks and I introduced him to Brian and Matt, and now we're all quite close.

Brian and Matt couldn't make it though, they're both in their final year of university and are stuck studying for upcoming finals. They graduate in June. They both study engineering and I've already spoken with Andrew to see if we could hook them up with jobs when they're finished college. Andrew said he'd sort it out.

"Hey bro," Jon greets me as I pop open my beer can, "How you feeling? That songs is great."

"Thanks man," I smile, copying his stance and resting my elbows on the wooden bannister that lines the outdoor decking, "Eh, I'm okay."

"Must've been hard recording it," he says sympathetically as I take a swig of my beer.

I exhale, "Yeah. It was. But I'm proud of that song. If anything, my past mistakes provide me with inspiration for my career. You know, the universe works in wild ways."

"That it does," Jon chuckles, sipping at his own beer.

He knows all about my relationship with Trinity, too. I've grown to trust him in a very short amount of time. On the plane ride over here, he asked what my inspiration is for music. I told him it's Trinity. Trinity, Trinity, Trinity. It's always been her, and I'm convinced it will continue to be her for as long as I'm creating.

"I feel for you, Shawn," Jon hums, "I went through a really rough relationship too. I only recently started getting over her."