Stormy

Chapter 26

Kris nudges Martijn in the side and asks: "Hey, dreamyhead. What do you think?" Dreamyhead. Exactly how I used to call him. I can't help but smile. "Oh... I... sorry, it's amazing.", Martijn answers, "You know how much I like your way of writing, Julie. You could really be so much more confident about it." "Thanks, Garrix.", I smile. Martijn grabs the guitar from Albin and asks: "Would you like to try and sing it for us over the chords that Albin and I have here?" Kris looks at me and realizes that I am still a little insecure, so he quickly jumps in to help: "If you want to, Julie, we can do it together." "Thank you, Kris. I'd like that.", I answer. I hand him the book with my lyrics and Martijn starts to play the guitar melody. I close my eyes and start to sing, as Kris joins me. We both try to figure out a vocal melody and lay out different harmonies. Soon, we run out of text, but Kris starts to improvise as we go:

"Oh, I've been waiting for the day

When things will never, ever be the same

Locked down 'cause we're already in too deep

They lie when they claim we are asleep..."

I let him finish up the song alone and as he stops singing, we all applaud. Kris gives me a high-five and I ask: "Wow! How can you just come up with lyrics on the go like that?" "Experience, I guess. And you gave me an amazing inspiration to start with.", he laughs. "That was so so cool!", Martijn says, "This is why I love music so much, for moments just like this." We do it a couple more times, figuring out certain little details and taking turns in singing, before Albin asks: "Shall we just quickly record the vocals? So that we have something to keep just in case we want to continue working on the song in the future?" "Sure thing.", Martijn agrees. I shoot Kris a glance and say: "Go ahead. It's your song. I feel like a male voice suits it better than mine. Honestly." "Are you really sure?", he checks back with me. "Positive.", I say, give him a smile and feel good with my decision, "I can learn much more from watching how you do it all professionally. And I love the vibe your voice adds to it." Kris looks at Martijn who nods his head and says: "You've heard her. I'm fine with it, as long as she is." "Okay, then let me try.", he answers and walks over to the microphone in the recording booth in the other room of the studio. While Martijn prepares everything for the recording with Kris, I sit next to Albin and we talk a little. "So Martijn and you are in the same school?", Albin wants to know. "Exactly. I'm in the school's singer/songwriter program and I'm currently in my second year, while Martijn skipped his second year and now is one year above me in the final year of the producer department.", I explain. "That is so cool.", Albin answers, "I wish I could've gotten an education like that. And "Now That I've Found You" is actually a school project of yours? Like how cool is that?" "I know, it's amazing. Martijn and I got off to quite the rocky start in the beginning, but now we actually got so close over working on the song and I feel like I learn new things about music every day thanks to him.", I smile. "Music just connects people.", Albin exclaims. "So true.", I agree, "And like at the beginning of the yea,r I would never have imagined to be featured on an official Martin Garrix single by the end of the year. It still doesn't feel real to be honest!" "Martijn showed me your song during the different stages while you were working on it and I have to say, for a newcomer you have absolutely impressed me. Your style of writing lyrics is really unique, they feel very strong and emotional. To be doing that at your age, that is impressive!", Albin complimented my songwriting. "Thank you, Albin. That really means a lot coming from you.", I answer. "For sure.", he smiles and says: "If you ever need any advice about the songwriter business, feel free to hit me up and let me know!" "Thanks so much!", I answer. Then we turn silent, as Martijn starts to record the different parts of Kris' vocal. I watch and try to absorb every little detail of knowledge I can from how they interact with each other as producer and vocalist, as music professionals and also as friends. And they leave me absolutely impressed. It takes a while to get everything done, but as soon as Kris walks out of the recording booth, both he and Martijn have big smiles on their faces. Martijn gives him a hug and says: "Bro that was amazing! We might actually finish that one, what do you think?" Kris turns over to me and asks: "Hey, Julie! How did you like it?" "I loved it.", I say and get up to let Kris hug me as well, "You did my poem great justice. Thank you for that!" "You're welcome.", he says and adds: "And that was really good work from your side as well, girl. You have potential." "Thank you, Kris.", I answer. Kris turns back to Martijn and says: "Yup! I'm up for it! Let me know when you have the time to get back to work on it." Martijn high-fives him: "Absolutely." We then chat a little longer until Kris and Albin have to leave cause they have another meeting to attend. Busy people, as always. After we said good-bye to them in the lobby of the building, Martijn and I head back down to the studio. Martijn sits down on the couch and cracks open a can of energy drink: "Thanks for the beautiful session today. I... I really enjoyed it. You were so right about taking things back to acoustic, it helped me feel better about it all." "I'm so glad to hear that, Martijn.", I answer and sit down on the couch as well. "Honestly, thank you for involving me in all these opportunities and connecting me with people like the both of them. That really means so much to me. You wouldn't have to do that, you know?", I add. "I know I don't have to.", Martijn says, "But I want to. It feels good to be able to give back a little for the amazing friendship you have offered me, Julie. Plus, I believe in you as an artist, as I said earlier. That actually brings me to something else I wanted to discuss with you..." "Oh really?", I ask, "What is it?"