Quixotic [S.M]

chapter 2 [s.m]

january 20th, 2019
shawn mendes

The sun is shining softly through my curtains when I wake up. It's relaxing here in Malibu, just a drive under an hour from Los Angeles. I'd decided to get a small recording cabin when I felt that LA was so busy and loud. This was a comforting escape from the city life, a place where I could produce music without stress.

My phone is sat on my nightstand, fully charged and already buzzing with notifications. Some are from Andrew and the crew, a few Instagram ones popping up on my screen too. I open the messages app, seeing a text Connor sent.

Connor: hey man, when are you free to talk? I have a few questions about my new partner.

Had they already chosen a photographer? No, Andrew wouldn't slip that past me. Did C have a favorite of the interviewees?

Shawn: morning, I'm gonna make a small breakfast for myself and I'll call you then.

I pull a soft t-shirt over my head, walking over to the small kitchen and table. My macbook is resting on the island where I'd left it yesterday, and I put my phone beside it. Of course, I'm not an amazing chef but I prepare avocado toast with an over-easy egg on top.

I bring my breakfast, phone and laptop over to the small wooden table. Connor's texted back with a sure and I call him, C picking up on the second ring. "You wanted to talk?" I ask, turning my laptop on and entering the password.

"Yeah, do you know when we're selecting the new one? I think it'd be good to let them get comfortable around us before we go on tour," C says, "plus I have some insight on who we should pick. I have a good feeling for one of 'em."

I wonder if Andrew was talking about the same person, the day I called to ask about how the interviews had been going. I snap out of my thoughts and reply, "Andrew told me we'd be having a meeting late this month, so probably within the next week. He said it'd be for us to go over the candidates and choose one. You leaning more towards one of 'em?" This was all for Connor, and if he had a pull to one of the photographers then I'd make sure that's voiced.

"Yeah, Aurora Sallow. She's from New York, but studied at UCLA with me. We've been friends for years now and she has some experience with big brands. Super talented, produces amazing work and all that stuff," Connor says, a hopeful tone flowing through his voice. Aurora sounded fine but I'm skeptical about bringing a girl on tour, especially if the whole crew are males. We would never do anything out of the ordinary, but maybe having Alessia on this next tour would help.

"I mean if you feel sure about this, then we can suggest her in the meeting Andrew mentioned. We could do some test filming and a mini photo shoot if she isn't comfortable around us by then. It's up to you, remember you're handling film and photography this tour. The new addition will be there to help you manage that, and provide content too." I say, taking a bite from the avocado toast. It seemed like Andrew and Connor were already dead set on whoever this candidate was. I wasn't too fond of bringing a new one on the crew until I'd known C had been feeling a little distant. I'm still not the biggest on the idea but if anything, it'll provide more creativeness and content to the fans.

"Alright, well I'll talk to Andrew and see what he says. Did he set a date for the meeting yet?" he asks. I hum a no, and he responds, "I'll ask him then and text you the date. It's going to be in LA right? I'm still in LA, and you're in Malibu?"

"Yeah, I've been writing in the cabin I got last year. I'm sure it'll be in LA. I think Gerty is in NY right now though. I think that's where they all got interviewed." I'm not entirely sure where Andrew is, but his work is mainly focused in LA anyways.

"Sounds good, and how have you been Shawn? Need me to come up to the cabin and film some?" Connor chats, fumbling with some equipment while he talks. It'd be nice for him to start a short film on writing the album.

"I'm doing good, writing has felt natural lately. Do you have anything going on right now? We could try a short based on the coming of the album, like the production of it." I suggest. Connor understands the vibe I want to get from films and photos, and produces content that always turn out perfect. They almost remind me of a coming of age movie, which is how I've felt for the past few months.

"I haven't been working on anything big, just reviewing some work Madison's new photographer did during the new year. She hired another an amazing photographer shortly after I finished my work with her, so a short film sounds great. We can get back to that later though." Connor worked with Madison Beer for quite some time before I asked him to join the crew on tour.

We chat as I browse my computer, logging onto twitter to see what the 'Mendes Army' has been up to. They've been sending so much support and enthusiasm since we announced a new album. I can't help but grin large when I scroll to see so many chatting to each other about their hopes and ideas for the tour. So many of the fans are so creative and talented.

Connor eventually states, "hey, it was nice catching up but I gotta run. I need to go run to the store and get a few things. I'll talk to you soon though, and I'll message Andrew about the meeting." We say a quick bye, and I put my phone on the table once again. To take a quick break from writing, I go ahead and spend the rest of the morning watching netflix, re-watching grey's. It's one of my favorite shows and is so emotional. It's been so relaxed around, but I still like to take some time off to do things unrelated to the album. I've even gone down to the beach a few times while staying in Malibu.

I turn off the TV after watching a good amount of episodes and head over to the studio room, where my guitars rest on the wall stands. There's a monitor and PC sitting in front of a keyboard, where I've recorded some tracks. The keyboard is a simple one, and I have a grand piano over in the living room of the cabin. The studio room is a great place for music, coziness and amazing acoustics flowing through the room. I end up picking up this old guitar I bought from the local guitar shop recently, and strum chords and tunes. I play for hours, gazing out the window that overlooks a beautiful sunset.

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