Backstage: Third Time's the Charm

Miles Lennox

Miles Lennox
Grade 11
Music Program

I played a new chord on my guitar and then scribbled a few notes in my notebook. Ever since getting out of the hospital, I had an overwhelming urge to finish an entire album. I already had the EP from sophomore year, and a few other songs, but I wanted to complete the album as soon as I could.

"Hey buddy."

I looked up from my notebook and saw Jax standing on the other side of the recording booth. In his hand, he held two paper plates, each with a slice of pizza. He handed one of the plates to me and we began to eat.

"What are you working on?"

I finished scarfing down the pizza and showed him my list. "I want to finish all these."

Jax surveyed me skeptically. "That's a lot of work." He crumpled up a napkin and tossed it into a trash can. "Three-pointer!"

I looked over the list again.

Dig Deep-Completed (With Alya's vocals).

Color Me Happy- Not yet recorded.

Night Full of Stars-Recorded (But I would like to have Bianca do backup vocals)

No Picnic-Recorded.

I had to shove gown guilt over that one. I'd written back when Alya and I were fighting, but it was such a good song, I thought it was wrong not to include it.

Limousines and Picnic Tables- That one helped me to feel better about No Picnic. I'd written this one about Alya too, before we'd had our fight.

So, I had a total of five songs for the album. I had wanted a few more, maybe ten total, but I didn't know how long it would take me to write them.

"Help me with the music for this one project I'm working on."

He looked over my shoulder. "Wow! Those lyrics are great."

"They aren't finished yet." I hastily closed my songbook.

"Are they about Alya?"

I chewed on my lip and nodded. "Yeah, don't tell her. I want to surprise her."

"Speaking of surprises, what are you doing for Valentine's Day? I'm taking Kit to an EDM concert. Some DJ she likes is supposed to be there."

"Oh my gosh," I said. "I haven't even thought about it."

Jax's eyes widened. "You better get started. It's on Friday."

"Yeah, sure." I walked back into the recording studio. "Hey, run the board while I record this song."

Jax rolled his eyes. "Valentine's Day is really important, you know."

"Just run the board, Jax."

**********

Jax and I finished putting away our equipment as Scarlett Dunn walked in. "My turn, juniors."

"Hey, can I ask both of you a favor?" I asked.

Scarlett and Jax looked at each other.

"Sure?" Scarlett said.

"I know DJ Diamondmind is retired, but I was thinking maybe since Kit worked with him she could get him to help me with my album?" I knew it sounded ridiculous, but the chance to work with DJ Diamondmind would be a once in a lifetime chance.

"I don't know if Kit has that kind of pull," Scarlett hesitated.

"But you could ask? I thought maybe he could do the music, and I'd do the lyrics."