Post by Alex Vipond on Jan 25, 2016 1:00:12 GMT -8
lnebriatedmess: By all accounts Chez should probably have waited to ask Alex for a jazz session, or better yet come up with a better alternative for what he had in mind. Guy was a new dad for Christ sakes. So that's why he was looking a little sheepish as he puffed his cigarette, taking a comfortable lean against the back door with his guitar case propped up against the wall as he waited for the Boss man.
Alex Vipond: Alex wasn't far behind, the white Jag rolled into a space behind the studio and the engine was shut down. Sliding out of the car, Alex chuckled at Chez as he swung the car door shut. "You have that same look on your face that Gus gets when he knocks over a table or a plant." Alex paused to pull his smokes, and lit one up. He'd become hyper vigilant about not smoking around Adrienne and now that carried over to the baby as well, so his smoke was greatly limited. He also may as well buy stock in hand sanitizer as he all but bathed in it, every five minutes.
lnebriatedmess: When the Jag rolled up, Chez pushed off the door and ground his cigarette in the nearby can. Once Alex lit up, he held his hand out to him with a grin. "I hear congratulations are in order, man!" Once he had Alex's hand, he'd get pulled in for a bro hug, complete with a solid pound on his back. "How's everyone holdin' up?"
Alex Vipond: The thumb on the back was returned as they hugged and then Alex stepped back and chuckled. "Good. Trying to learn a whole new sleep pattern, which... is not as easy as it sounds when we're up every two to four hours. And thanks, it's appreciated." Alex took another drag off of his smoke and then flicked his ash. "I've been so intent on the pregnancy that the magnitude of actually having Grayson here is still sinking in."
lnebriatedmess: That had Chez laughing and he shook his head. "Aw, man, I do not miss those days. But still, be careful. He's only yea big for, like, 2.2." The yea big was indicated by holding his hands less than two feet apart. "Next thing you know it's kindergarten and music lessons and birthday parties.." His grin fell suddenly. "Holy shit, man, the birthday parties. There's, like, one every fucking weekend."
Alex Vipond: "Tell me about it. I mean it still seems like it was yesterday that he was this big and we were just finding out about him." He held his thumb up and shook his head, before he took one last drag and then crushed out the cigarette. "Sounds like a lot of cake." Unlocking the door, he opened it up and stepped in, taking a moment to disable the alarm, before flipping the light switch on.
Very MiIIi: Millicent arrived bearing gifts. Of course she did. If she didn't planner books, lists and a ten year plan, she'd go neurotic (more neurotic than she already was). Hopping out of the Mini Cooper, she struggled somewhat getting to the door, could barely see over the wrapped gifts piled in her skinny arms. Just the usual Millicent, clad in a fussy short dress with a strand of pearls round her neck and eyes that seemed to be one size too large. Unable to open the door or even knock, she kind of...chirped...for help. "Anyone here? I can't see!"
lnebriatedmess: "A lot of cake, a lot of screaming, and a lot of fucking Elsas." SHUDDER. Picking up his guitar case, he followed Alex inside. "Hey, man, I hope I'm not messin' anything up by draggin' you out tonight. Kinda needed an escape, y'know?" He kinda hoped Alex wouldn't ask him to elaborate, and was kind of glad for the shout outside the front door. "More players?"
Very MiIIi: Well this was quite the pickle. She should have bought someone to help her. It's like she was juggling, except she wasn't moving. Milli tried to sneak just one hand from the pile of gifts in order to open the door -- but that just resulted in dropping some gifts. So then she was chasing bows and boxes in the parking lot, a leggy gamine in heels. Looked like some poor baby giraffe out there collecting things up. Lord. Good thing there were no surveillance: cameras in there.
Alex Vipond: "Sounds more like a distress call...." Alex popped open the back door again, and when he saw Milli, he tried, really he did, not to chuckle. And yes, yes there were surveillance cams, everywhere. Alex took security very seriously, but what Milli didn't need to know wouldn't hurt, right? "Hey there!" He finally gave in to the urge to chuckle as he started helping her pick things up.
Very MiIIi: "Hi Alex." She went all graceful and composed again, except for the burning cherries on her cheek. "Thank you," she said, when he helped her. "I just came to drop some things off for Adrienne and the papoose." And to skitter about the parking lot looking stupid apparently.
lnebriatedmess: Leaning around Alex, he eyed the girl up and down slowly with a raised brow. Yeah, he didn't bother snickering as he set down his case.
Alex Vipond: "Well come on in and get warm, it's cold as crap out here." Alex gestured to the door, and gave her a smile. "How have you been?" It had been a while since he'd seen Milli. "You should come to the house for the Super Bowl."
Very MiIIi: The Super Bowl. Football. Hmm. Milli didn't know the first thing about football, except she enjoyed the pre-game loaded baked potato skins. "I might do that. I'm well. How are you and the Missus and Little Man?" Asked as she wandered inside, setting the pile of gifts down, a bashful glance given to the other fellow.
Alex Vipond: "We're doing good, tired, but good." he smiled, he couldn't help it. It was irrepressible and ear to ear. And yes, he whipped out his phone to show off the pictures of said Little Man. "Milli this is my friend and guitarist, Chez. Chez, Milli." And then he was offering his phone out with those baby pics.
lnebriatedmess: Chez grinned, giving Milli an upnod. "How you doin'?" No, it wasn't quite Joey Tribiani, but it wasn't much better. He couldn't help leaning over a little, though, to take a peek at the pictures. "He doesn't look a thing like you, man.." Yes, he was totally kidding.
Very MiIIi: Oh. She realized she had interrupted bro night or a jam session -- but she was going to leave momentarily anyway, really. Milli always had something to do. And it wasn't like she ever relaxed. Ever. Bashfully she smiled at Chez. "Hi there." Taking the phone, she grinned seeing the baby, She canted the phone so Chez, too, could see. "He is just perfect!"
Alex Vipond: "I think so, but then I'm biased." Alex's grin only grew. "He eats, poops and sleeps. That's about it so far. He kind of stares at you like he's trying to figure out what and who you are and anything that touches his face he tries to latch onto."
Very MiIIi: Her phone was buzzing -- vibrating away. She peeked down to it, then the fella's. "Thats my sister. She locked herself out and she's high. I'll be back in a few if you're still here!" Milli's life, go go go. See why she never relaxed? Ever. Off she went, yet again, click-clickety away in her heels.
lnebriatedmess: Chez just shook his head as he watched her go, then looked back to Alex with a smirk. "I'm tellin' ya, man, you know some of the oddest people." Of course he had no idea, he's only seen the tip of the ice berg.
Alex Vipond: Alex chuckled and shook his head. "You have no idea man..." Even the normal people were weird in his life. Alex settled the things Milli had brought to a table and then headed for the kitchen to make some tea and grab Chez a beer.
lnebriatedmess: He wandered after Alex and grinned when he saw the boss reaching for the beer; he knew him well! "Cute, though. She legal?" It was the most important question a guy could ask. Relationship status, sexual orientation, those can wait.
Alex Vipond: Chuckling, Alex nodded. "Yes, she is legal." Twisting the cap off, he handed the beer over to Chez and then went about fixing his tea. "She's sister to Winnie, the chick that owns the Opium and Dreams... I think it was called, and the tender there, Bunny is their cousin."
lnebriatedmess: "Thanks, man.." He took the beer and wasted no time in taking a swig from it. "No shit? Huh, yeah, I think I've been there." He'd been there a time or three, and stumbled out of the place drunk at least once. "So Grayson, huh? That a family name or just one you guys came by?" No need to ask where the kid got his middle name from.
Alex Vipond: "We basically ran down the alphabet until something stuck." Alex chuckled as he took his tea and turned, settling down, feet propped onto the coffee table. "It had a flow, the names combined, even if it does read as an eyechart."
lnebriatedmess: Chez snickered, dropping down on the opposite end of the couch. "Danica kinda did the same thing, then spent, like, a whole month trying to decide with which spelling of 'Hayley' to go with." His eyes rolled. Women.
Alex Vipond: "It's a big decision. I don't get these people giving their kids weird ass fucking names that they're going to have to through life with. I mean, talk about setting your kid up for an ass beating every day of their school life."
lnebriatedmess: With a snort, he gave Alex a level gaze and held his arms out. "Uhm, yeah, you're talking to a Chesley, for fuck's sake." No wonder the guy turned to alcohol early.
Alex Vipond: "Yeah, sorry dude." Alex chuckled. "Was it a family name?" He had to ask, it was out there, dangling, begging to be asked. Alex and Chez were hanging out in the studio, drinking... well Chez had beer, Alex had his tea, and yes, they were discussing the intricacies of naming a child so he wouldn't get his ass beat on the daily when he hit school age.
lnebriatedmess: "Yup, some great uncle or something." His eyes rolled. He snickered, though, shaking his head. "Eh, well, oddly enough it turned itself around. For some reason the name Chez earns cool points and scores chicks, sooo.." He shrugged, grinning as he tipped the bottle up for another swig.
Alex Vipond: "It can't hurt that you play guitar..." Alex nodded. "I mean face it, you can put the butt ugliest fucker in the world on stage with a guitar in hand and chicks are going to trip over themselves to get to him." Steven Tyler anyone? Not to dis Steve, he was a friend, but the years hadn't done him any favors. Of course not everyone could look perpetually twelve...
lnebriatedmess: "That is very true." He pointed the bottle at Alex. Then he was wiggling the fingers of his free hand. "Magic fingers, baby." Whether he was referring to the guitar skills or not would be left for Alex to decide.
Alex Vipond: Alex cracked up, having made a similar comment to Adrienne not long ago. "Yeah. Chicks dig the mad skills." Chuckling, he gave a slight shake of his head, the smirk still present even as he lifted his cup to take a sip.
lnebriatedmess: "Mmmhm.." For a moment he had a dazed look drift over his face as he thought about just how true that was. Then he shook his head, clearing himself of it, along with his throat. "Hey, man, I was wondering.." That sheepish look had returned and he was rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "D'you think it'd be cool if I crashed here on the couch tonight? I'm, uh... having a bit of a problem with my apartment."
Alex Vipond: "Yeah, sure man, everything okay?" Alex's brow furrowed as he looked at Chez, cup lifted for a sip as he regarded his friend over the rim.
AbysmalSkies: The taxi came to a stop right outside the recording studio and Aisha stepped out after paying the man. She was adorned in black, high heeled ankle boots, well-fitted jeans, a long sleeved crimson crop top which was hidden beneath a black, leather jacket with a gold zipper, and an assortment of jewelry. Big, brown eyes gazed upon the face of the building and suddenly she was struck with a case of butterflies. A deep breath was drawn into her lungs, and then exhaled sharply as she started for the door. "Just checking things out, Aisha. Chill." She mumbled to herself before she entered the place. Looking a bit lost, she just glanced around.. kinda just standing there like she didn't know what to do with herself.
lnebriatedmess: "Oh, yeah, it's fine. Just, ah..." He scrached at hsi beard, wondering the best way to put it. "Tryin' to avoid a neighbor's boyfriend, is all." Leave it to Chez to let his dick get him in trouble. Again. A glance was made toward the direction of the studio's front entrance, a brow lifting at Alex.
Alex Vipond: Hearing the chime of the door, Alex rose from the couch, tea cup set to the coffee table on the way up from the seat and his eyes going to Chez at his explanation. "Ah..." Alex nodded and then headed for the front, a smile on his face as he stepped through the doorway from the back into the conference area. Just beyond that lay the reception area and the front door. His jeans were ripped and worn in places, the Seattle Seahawks blue and green of his fleece pants showing through the holes. His t-shirt was white with a rather incongruous Happiness is and a picture of a pile of kittens beneath it. Probably not what you would expect from a rocker. "Hi, can I help you?"
AbysmalSkies: Attention focused on the man that came into sight and her smile grew. She looked him over, noticeably doing so, and sort of smirked at what was on his shirt. Then she spoke, "Kittens. Nice." Was he self-aware enough to realize what she was talking about? She sort of hoped so, or else she might have seemed a little weird right about now. "Nice place you've got here. I, uh, heard about this place from a friend and was kind of curious about it. Do you guys let anyone record music here or do you have to be pro?"
lnebriatedmess: Curiosity got the best of him and he rolled off the couch to follow Alex. He gave the girl an upnod but held back on the 'how you doin'' this time, instead taking a lean against the conference table. Besides, Adrienne might take it out on him if he let some crazy rabbit fan get too pawsy with her baby daddy. He'll taking the pawing on the boss man’s behalf.
Alex Vipond: "I am not beyond scoping new talent, but if it's just a lark you're looking for, Studio Seven would be the place you'd want. They rent everything from recording booths to full studios by the hour, day, or week." And longer term as well. Alex used to reside there. He hooked his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans as he nodded. "So what is it you're looking to do? And I don't say that to mean that serious musicians don't use the place, just that you do your own producing there. I totally didn't mean that to sound the way it did."
AbysmalSkies: Returned the up nod, albeit subtly, studying the other guy that just came into the room until her gaze was pulled back to the first. "Lark..?" She questioned, not familiar with the term. She took the information, nodding as if she understood everything he was saying. "Studio Seven," She repeated. "Got it." There was a pause. What was she doing here? She was not a professional artist. Feeling a bit out of place, and that it was obvious that she was clueless, a quiet chuckle escaped her and she smiled, a look that hinted a bit of coyness. "It's okay.. Um, I just wanted to record something for a friend of mine. Could I do that here?"
Alex Vipond: "You know, larking about... having fun. Just jamming...." he nodded. "Yeah, Studio Seven, over on South Horton. Great venue, with room to rent." Alex regarded her and then shrugged as he gave a nod. "Sure, what are you looking for?"
AbysmalSkies: "Oh, yeah, duh." Scoffed at herself, reaching up to tap her temple with her fingertips as if that would turn the lights on upstairs. There was a flash of fire engine red painted nails as she did so, before her hands were slipped into her jean pockets. "I've never done this before." She admitted. "Don't know if you can tell.." She was sure they could. "Do you guys have a rock demo I could take home and listen to?" To get a sense of the quality they provided here for recording.
lnebriatedmess: Folding his arms over his chest, the hand not holding his beer came up to smear across his mouth, hiding his smirk as he watched and listened.
Alex Vipond: "You want a demo, an EP or a full album?" Alex hooked a thumb toward the back. "You want a cup of tea while cue up a sample of my work?"
AbysmalSkies: Aisha's gaze ticked over to the other man when he moved, as if that alone caught her attention. She didn't really see the smirk, since it was hidden, but she felt pretty uncomfortable right now. She bit her lip, trying to keep her cool about the situation. She was not your hardcore, could handle anything chick. She was nervous. Out of her element. What the hell was an EP? She rocked a bit on her feet. "Full album, and.. sure." Part of her wanted to slink out the way she'd come in right about now. "Or I'll take what he has." Gestured to the other dude with the beer.
lnebriatedmess: "You should play that one track... you know, that real popular one.." Okay, now Chez was just being an ass. He couldn't help it, it amused the hell out of him when people didn't recognize who Alex was.
Alex Vipond: "Beer it is." Alex nodded and headed for the back. "Come on in." He shot a glance to Chez as he passed him, doing his best not to let the smile break out, and then stepped through to the back. A brief side trip to the fridge and then he was cueing up the song that pretty much anyone would recognize, no matter what type of music they listened to.
lnebriatedmess: Fingers snapped and he pointed to the nearest speaker. "Yeah, that one!"
AbysmalSkies: Stared over at the guy making suggestions, a somewhat strained smile on her face. When the song played, she listened for a moment. "Great song. This was recorded here?" Seemed skeptical for whatever reason. She was oblivious to who these guys were. Just figured they worked here.
Alex Vipond: Coming back into the conference room, he offered the beer out to her. And most people didn't recognize him, now that he'd ditched the blond. "That one was actually recorded in LA, when I was signed with RCA." Alex turned, once she had her beer, and cued up another, then stepped back out. "This one was recorded here."
AbysmalSkies: She took the beer. "Oh, cool..." It was more of an automatic response, but then things sort of started to click and her expression twisted into one of a more quizzical nature. "Wait a second..." She hesitated, staring at him. She didn't want to make a mistake and make a bigger fool out of herself than she may have already made. "When you were signed? You're a singer? You sang that song? The one we just listened to?" (d)
Alex Vipond: "Both of them, yes." he nodded. "The first one topped the charts for a record, twenty three weeks and was named number one adult pop song of the decade." Lifting his tea cup, he took another sip of it, before lowering the cup as he leaned against the table as Chez had earlier.
lnebriatedmess: "He's got the gold popcorn and the surfboard and everything..." Alex may throw something at him soon, but Chez was amused.
AbysmalSkies: "Holy shit, no way." She laughed, uneasily. She still wasn't so sure about this. Now she was studying him closely, trying to recognize his face. He wasn't joking. He was the real deal. Both her hands came up to sort of cover her face, as if she could hide from them, beer still dangling in her right hand. There was even a hint of red to her cheeks. "How embarrassing. I'm just going to go jump off a bridge or something now.." How could she not have realized who she was talking to. She dropped her hands to her sides and actually stepped back in the direction of the door. "..maybe that other place is where I should go after all." Haha.
Alex Vipond: "Picture me blond, and looking like I was twelve." Alex nodded. Never mind that he was more than legal age at the time, he looked twelve. Alex chuckled and shook his head. "I get it all the time, don't worry about it." Alex waved her back. "So what do you have in mind for this song you want to record?"
AbysmalSkies: "Oh, no, no, no.. I'm not going to try and sing in front of someone like you. Hell no." She was still nervously laughing. She could sing, but she couldn't sing.
Alex Vipond: "That's the beauty of the sound booth, you don't actually sing in front of anyone..." Not really.
lnebriatedmess: "Hey, c'mon now. You'll never know if you'll succeed if you don't put yourself out there." Hey, he wasn't a total ass.
AbysmalSkies: Aisha pulled all of her long, brown hair over her left shoulder and sort of fidgeted with it, idly doing so. She opened the beer, if it hadn't been already, and then took a quick drink from it. "That does help," She said to Alex before looking over to whom she assumed was his buddy.
Alex Vipond: "There you go, so do you have a song in mind or one you've written that you'd like to lay down?"
AbysmalSkies: Now she was trying to place his face, searching her mind to see if he, too, was a professional artist. "That's true, but.. it was just sort of something for fun. I wasn't trying to go anywhere serious with it." Although, she'd wished at times she could. Back to Alex. "Uh.. yeah, but.. I really can't." Her nerves were just overwhelming her. "How much would it cost anyway?" (d)
lnebriatedmess: Nah, he was no pretty boy front man. Just a guitarist. Talented enough to get him laid for the rest of his life but without the drama. Usually.
AbysmalSkies: Laid forever with no drama? Sounded like the life.
Alex Vipond: "If you want a CD quality recording, suitable for release, you're looking at three grand per track." And that was low balling it. Some producers charged upwards of ten grand per track. "But if all you're looking to do is a demo, we can get you out of here for the cost of the CD." He paused, "Not that demos are any lesser in quality, just not as in depth as some tracks are. Generally a demo is done in one take. The song from Titanic, by Celine Dion... she did that once, and only once, as demo, to appease her husband. That movie would have been completely different with that song."
AbysmalSkies: 'Scary face' sounded in the room when Aisha's phone received a text message. She pulled out the Galaxy S4 and checked to see who'd sent it. Without reading the message, she slipped it back into the pocket of her jacket, and then looked up with a somewhat horrified look due to the words ten grand. She relaxed when she heard the rest. "I just about had a heart attack. I am not sporting that kind of cash." Her friend would have had to do without a song, that was for sure. "One take and that's it?" Talk about putting on the pressure. "I'm gonna have to practice more, I think." Before she felt confident enough to do that. She'd probably be a nervous wreck when it came down to actually singing, and she couldn't imagine the result would be any good. "Do you guys have an openings next week, maybe, so I could come back and give it a shot?"
lnebriatedmess: Well. Mostly no drama. Recent neighbor conquest is becoming complicated. "And the version on the movie soundtrack was just a slight touch-up of the demo." Just sayin'.
AbysmalSkies: "Celine Dion is also an amazing singer..." She pointed out, needlessly so. "Me? Not so much." She could laugh at herself. She was right now, just a little. Which was why Celine, being the pro she was, could do one take.
Alex Vipond: "And that was all post recording," Alex nodded and then looked back at the girl. "Sure, if you want come in during the week that would be fine. Just give us a call." Alex moved to the front desk, pulled a business card from the little display there, and offered it out to her.
AbysmalSkies: Took the business card from him, looked it over, and then slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans. "Thanks." She offered a genuine smile. "I guess.. I'll see you then." Always awkward at goodbyes, she started to take a few, very slow steps back toward the door, given them the chance to say whatever they might.
Alex Vipond: "Oh, what's your name? So I can let the people who work the office know you're going to be stopping in..." Alex gave her a smile as it looked like she was about to bolt.
AbysmalSkies: She stopped her movement at the question, "Aisha." She answered. Then figured her full name might be better. Who knew how many Aisha's were running around out there. "Aisha Badr. I swear, I'm not a terrorist." A bad joke. One delivered with a big grin. She did sort of look the part. Mocha skin, her name.. and all that. She figured she might as well get it out there.
lnebriatedmess: Chez's mouth opened to make some kind of comment about cute terrorists but thought better of it. He still needed a couch to sleep on tonight.
Alex Vipond: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aisha, I'm Alex and this is Chez, my friend, and guitarist."
AbysmalSkies: She glanced between the two, still smiling. "It was great meeting you guys. I'm going to go brush up on my recording knowledge so I can act like I know what I'm doing better the next time I come in here." Because she felt she totally bombed it this time.
lnebriatedmess: At the introduction, he lifted his hand in a wave as he grinned.
AbysmalSkies: Googling questions to ask a business like this did not help her much! "Later." And she slipped out the door.
Alex Vipond: "Nice girl. She'll be eaten alive if a label gets hold of her." Alex moved to the front door to lock it and then headed back to the table, picking up his cup and checking the contents. "Damned thing is empty..."
lnebriatedmess: "Uh, yeah.." Chez was snickering again, though. "It really does crack me up when that lightbulb turns on." He even mimicked the face of realization.
Alex Vipond: "And you can usually see them squinting trying to resolve the me of now to the me of then..." And that was when Alex dropped it because really, the hair color was about the only difference. That and he wasn't quite as pale as he was back then.