Rise To Stardom - Chapter 108

Chapter 108: With A Bang!
[1st of January, 2020]

Sitting outside his well-manicured lawn in a secluded neighborhood in England, rocking back and forth on his chair, was a well-known author whom had written [Fables & Legends], one of, if not, the most popular dark fantasy novel in the world.

The story, following an optimistic young farmer who was thrust into a war he never asked for, due to a political struggle between different races and factions across the Lands of Threnodia, was one that had gone on to become a worldwide sensation.

Even newer generations of youngsters, were always recommended the books by adults of the past generation, a tradition that had been passed on with every new generation since the early 2000’s.

Basically, the five books were masterpieces that had become eternalized… frozen in time, probably till the end of the world in fact.

The journey of Tristan, a weak human, slowly changing from an optimistic young man with a bright outlook on life, to a strong and powerful, amoral, grey character with his survival alone in mind, all across the span of five masterfully-crafted books with complex and intriguing plots, hooked and continued to hook readers around the world till date.

The author himself too, an Irish man that went by the name, Martin O. Ronan, was also an immensely influential figure in the world.

His views on the world, commentaries and sayings, were things people really loved hearing as they were very sagely and well-thought out.

Currently aged 75, the man woke up feeling a bit introspective as the new year started.

This was something he always loved doing at the start of every year to reflect on everything in the past year and set new goals for himself to overcome in the new year.

His family was also coming over to visit later today but presently, as he rocked back and forth on the lawn chair, one that was specially designed for him, Martin, never being the tech-savvy individual, slowly decreased the volume of his radio.

Listening to his favorite radio station, a niche channel with carefully curated contents that focused on mostly philosophical things, Martin kept introspecting as he set new goals for the year.

However, midway into the segment of the show that was being aired, a song was played.

This, wasn’t anything particularly interesting or surprising to Martin as this was a staple of the radio station.

Still, even the songs that were usually played, were mostly old songs with philosophical themes to them, one that was obviously in the vein of what the radio channel’s content was curated towards.

Safe to say, Martin had probably heard almost every song that had been played on the station.

Yet, tilting his head a bit, Martin’s introspection was broken when he heard an unfamiliar song.

Subconsciously, he didn’t realize he had been paying attention to the song from the moment it had started playing.

Something about it… compelled him to listen.

Turning his head over to the radio, wondering who sang this particular song, especially with how modern it felt in comparison to the other songs he usually listened to, Martin slowly increased the volume, enamored by both the hauntingly hypnotic tune and the introspective, lyrical verses.

🎹 ♪ 🎶 🎸 🥁

Spinnin’ and turnin’, no end in sight,

Our paradox goes on and on,

Uncharted lands and new horizons,

Survivin’ in this dive of ours askin’

♪

Who… am I?

Who… am I?

🎹 ♪ 🎶 🎸 🥁

And so, the song continued on to the bridge, one that really tickled Martin’s more philosophical side;

🎹 ♪ 🎶 🎸 🥁

It’s a haze of delusions…

Questioning your reality…

Freedom and lofty ideals,

Piece de resistance is it?

It’s such a paradox, isn’t it…

🎹 ♪ 🎶 🎸 🥁

‘It really is…’ the old man gently nodded, quite impressed by the structure of the lyrical verses.

‘A haze of delusions, questioning one’s reality huh…’ Martin mused, a thoughtful expression on his aged face as the song played on.

Introspectively, it was such a powerful line.

One that indicated that people were mostly held back, not by their inability to do or achieve something like they usually thought.

Rather, people were held back by the unshakeable belief in the uncertainty that they couldn’t do or achieve the things they wanted.

Yet, the next lyrical verses, ‘Freedom and lofty ideals and Piece de resistance is it?’, went on to completely turn the first two verses on its head.

Subtly, it explained that to achieve something seemingly unachievable, required acceptance.

Acceptance that a gradual work in progress towards said thing was necessary on the part of the challenger.

And rounding it all up in full circle, was the last line ‘It’s such a paradox, isn’t it…’, a presentation to the listener that basically touched on the contradictions between the two.

Yet, both of those contradictions were still perhaps, very true.

These same contradictions, bled into the structure of the addition of new verses to the chorus as Martin listened;

🎹 ♪ 🎶 🎸 🥁

Who… am I? (You… are…)

Who… am I? (You… are…)

🎹 ♪ 🎶 🎸 🥁

‘Who… am I?’ and ‘You… are…’, both of which were attributed to the previous verses of uncertainty and acceptance in the song’s bridge, gave the impression that the singer, was about to finally give answers to both.

However, when Martin heard the outro, a light smile bloomed on his elderly features;

🎹 ♪ 🎶 🎸 🥁

Time, ebbs…

So we move on along,

Time, flows…

So we brave forth the tides,

Time, goes…

So we pave on our path

🎹 ♪ 🎶 🎸 🥁

The song’s outro, ended up mirroring the last verse in the bridge.

It called back to the paradoxical theme.

A paradoxical theme that left the listeners with figuring out the answer to those questions, on their own.

Rather, the singer focused on the present, reminding the listeners that time was moving anyway.

Whatever uncertainties they had, whatever it was they’d accepted they wanted to do, they would be figuring that out as they moved on in their respective lives.

Finally, as Martin kept listening, the song’s tune, lingered on till it came to an end.

When it did finally end, the renowned author, listened intently as the host for the segment, gave the name of the song and its singer before he then finally, resumed the show.

Smiling to himself, Martin soon retrieved his smartphone, a relic he only ever used, every once in a while.

* * *

A resounding success!

Both critically and commercially!

#[Paradox] was trending at No. 1 on TweetTalk!

Netizens were discussing the success of the song with such fever high excitement, it was quite the sight to behold.

That became even more evident when the Worldwide Icon, Martin O. Ronan, wrote a long tweet, a rarity that ever came from the man.

Literally, it was already an extremely rare thing for Martin to tweet, much less, write a long tweet;

–

This morning, while introspecting about my plans for the new year, I happened to listen to a truly interesting yet unique song that caught my attention.

Quite possibly, it’s one of the best song I’ve heard in years.

[Paradox] by Kyle Kestis.

Themes of existential longing, uncertainty and time, were perfectly encapsulated in the song.

A true hallmark for what good music can and should be. That’s how I’d describe this song.

Kudos to the writer and the performers of the song.

It was a great song to start off the year with and you made it, all the more memorable.

Happy new year.

–

No sooner had this particular tweet being dropped, a lot of Kyle’s fans instantly started tagging their favorite star on TweetTalk.

Considering most of them knew fully well that the young man wasn’t an internet dweller, they knew that it’d at least attract the attention of those who knew him, thereby, eventually ensuring it would reach Kyle himself.

And eventually, that was what happened, with Kyle responding to Martin’s tweet, only a few minutes later;

–

I am beyond honored to have my song recognized by you, sir.

It means, so, so much to me.

Happy new year from this side of the world!

–

That simple interaction between the two, went absolutely viral, especially when Martin, responded by liking and retweeting Kyle’s comment.

This, further brought even more people, both young and old, along with fans of Martin himself who weren’t particularly, music enthusiasts to listen to the song, resulting in the song getting even more and more viral by the minute.

This was all within a span of the early morning hours.

That said, along with that interaction, were many favorable reviews from music enthusiasts and reviewers, further cementing the viral popularity of the song.

–

Jingles Times – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

[Paradox] by Kyle Kestis Ft. Skywaves, is a song that not only entrances from the very first moment that it comes on but also, makes you really want to introspect as a person. It’s a blend of alternative rock with well-communicated philosophical themes that just isn’t seen in today’s music industry. Give it a listen! I promise you won’t regret it.

Sing Song Birdie – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dazzled. I was dazzled from the very first moment I heard [Paradox]. The lyrical structure of the song is quite literally a work of art in its own right but the piano riff… the piano riff is something else entirely! Just out of this world. Kudos to Kyle Kestis for delivering once again!

Music Guru – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I’m a bit fearful for the rest of the songs that’ll be coming out this year. Sure there are different genres of music and each to their own preferences but, for more mainstream music, I seriously doubt anything will be able to top this song for the rest of the year.

Chimes In The Wind – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

With a bang! Kyle Kestis, started off the year with freaking, bang! Quite possibly, [Paradox] has to be a crowning achievement of his style of music. Unconventional, diaristic and diverse! Nothing else compares!