Rise To Stardom - Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Quadruple Threat…?
Gwen was gazing at the screen of her laptop in the office, Stuart standing behind her as she was writing one of many articles in preparation for the eventual announcement of Kyle’s album.

“We’re targeting the day [Level Up 2]’s trailer is released, right?” Stuart commented, his eyes scanning through the expertly written article.

“Yeah. The retention rate will be higher in the memory of fan’s minds if they have another project of his to be expectant of, fairly close to the release date of the album.” Gwen, casually replied as she efficiently multi-tasked.

To that, Stuart nodded in agreement, understanding where she was coming from.

“It’s a bit annoying though that [Prom Perfect 3] will apparently also be releasing on the same day as the movie.” Owen whom was seated on the couch alongside Miguel and Camille stated, slightly ticked off even at the fact that he was mentioning the movie.

Just last year, his now ex-girlfriend had forced him to watch the darn thing and safe to say, he hated the movie to his core.

At the moment, all three were going through a few legal documents, detailed information and some contracts regarding a bunch of endorsement deals and adverts that few companies and brands wanted Kyle to help them endorse and promote.

“It’s that bad?” Gwen, without taking her gaze of the screen, asked curiously, noticing the slight hint of anger in Owen’s usually composed voice.

“I don’t even wanna think about it really…” Owen added with a small sigh, to which Miguel chipped in, his reading glasses resting on the ridge of his nose as he scanned through another document.

“My daughter said the same thing. Though I don’t think most of her peers share her disdain for it.”

“Hopefully, the Box-Office returns for [Level Up 2] don’t suffer too much. A teenage rom com on Valentine’s day is a pretty deadly combo.” Camille commented thoughtfully, after which she then switched topics and curiously asked Owen;

“How’s working with Kyle been these past few weeks?”

Considering all five were going to be working together for a long time, the legal counsellor figured small talk would be nice from time to time to get them all comfortable with themselves.

And since Kyle was their employer, it was of common interest to them as employees to want to know more about their boss.

To that, Owen’s slightly ticked off mood changed to one of genuine interest and amusement as he spoke;

“Oh it’s been a hell of a ride.”

“Kyle, is a workaholic. The best kind, really. His efficiency is just off the charts and the way he effortlessly juggles everything is quite baffling to me.” he added, a light chuckle escaping his lips as he shook his head and continued;

“That said, you guys should’ve seen him trying to come up with the perfect track for that new song he’s working on. Spent two nights in the recording studio, without sleeping at that too.”

“Oliver literally had to drag him out at some point…” Owen laughed heartily this time, one that earned a light-hearted chuckle from everyone else in the room.

Sure enough, Owen’s words were right on the money as they too, over the course of the past few weeks, had come to realize, that Kyle and Oliver’s relationship seemed less like an artist and his agent but more like a genius nephew and a doting yet capable uncle.

It was a rare kind of relationship to have in Hollywood between an agent and their talent but honestly, it was very refreshing for the team to see, especially since each and every one of them had all, individually, seen their fair share of terrible work-relationships between artists and their agents, more times than they could count.

“But you know, although the song itself isn’t done yet, having heard a good chunk of it, I can confidently say that Kyle has to be some sort of music wizard.” Owen spoke again, to which he then added with a warm smile;

“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard before really… a song about admiration for a loved one, companionship and mending broken relationships. I really can’t wait for you all to also listen to it too.”

And with that, the mood in the office stayed conducive, warm and efficient, the rustle of papers from the trio and the clicking taps of Gwen’s fingers, filling up the peaceful ambience.

However, a few seconds later, Stuart broke the silence by purposely musing out loud;

“Honestly, Kyle’s already a triple-threat, isn’t he?”

“I mean, he composes, he sings, and he acts. It perfectly explains why all these record labels and talent agencies are still relentlessly after him even after he’s declined numerous offers from them.”

In response to Stuart’s words, everyone in the office nodded in agreement.

“And now, regardless of whether the dance movie’s successful or not, he’s going to end up being a quadruple-threat, I guess. That’d be quite the sight to see…” Stuart concluded, a gaze of genuine interest in his eyes.

Once again, everyone in the office agreed to his words.

Sure enough, all of them were of the belief that [Level Up 2], regardless of whether it was a good dance movie or not, probably wouldn’t be a Box-Office hit due to [Prom Perfect 3].

Still, that wasn’t a main concern of theirs, especially since Kyle’s role had been that of a side character as he had informed them.

Even if the movie flopped, their artist wouldn’t be blamed for it one bit.

That said, knowing that Kyle could also dance though, had them all very excited for his future prospects and opportunities.

Even though none of them had actually seen him dance before, save for Carl’s mini-tour and his time on Rising Voices, having heard from Oliver that Kyle hadn’t used a single stunt double in the movie, had been quite the interesting piece of news to them.

This, ultimately, made them all believe that his dancing, albeit should be nothing particularly remarkable, must’ve been quite good for the standards of a dance movie for the Director to let him be.

And for them, that really was all that mattered.

The fact that Kyle, would have even more versatility as a Hollywood Artist.

* * *

~ 🎸 🎶 🎼 🎶 🥁 ~

It’s a hazy… night…

And I wonder if there’s more,

Am I, more than this, or is this, all it is?

Don’t have the answers, but I…

I’ll hold on,

I’ll hold on.

~ 🎸 🎶 🎼 🎶 🥁 ~

As Caleb, Maeve and Paul, gradually stopped playing the tune of the power-ballad as the song came to an end, Kyle too, with his electric guitar in hand, stopped playing and smiled in contentment.

Moving over, he began high-fiving his session musicians with a genuine smile of appreciation.

[Hazy Night], was the second song Kyle had written for his album.

It was also the song that Kyle had gotten the idea for the night he had been stuck in traffic.

A song that captured themes of loneliness, a search for purpose, support and the desire to keep going on against all odds.

It really was the kind of song one would listen to on a cold night’s drive from work.

The kind that had a sort of calming, uplifting effect on a person’s mind despite its somewhat sad and introspective lyrics.

“That was perfect guys!” Jennie who was sitting by the consoles and modulators at the other end of the rehearsal, also said to the guys to which they all responded gratefully;

“Thanks Jennie!”

Having already recorded [Electrified] with the guys a few days ago, Kyle was already recording the next song.

Slowly but surely, the creation of the album was proceeding as it should at a steady pace.

As for the music videos, they would be shooting those starting late January to early March, one that every featured artist in the songs would also be involved with of course.

And speaking of featured artists…

“That reminds me!” Kyle snapped his fingers!

“Asides from the rest of the other songs in the album we’re yet to record, there’s actually one outlier we’ll have to record in addition.”

“Kill two birds with one stone, essentially.” he said to Caleb, Maeve and Paul, all of whom gave him a curious look of interest.

Finally, having gone to his Studio a few times in between recording sessions to check on the development of the videogame, Kyle had solidified the idea in his mind of what was missing in the opening cut scene of the game.

It was a high-energy rock song!

One that needed to be futuristic, rebellious and full of swagger!

It didn’t even need to be a full-fledged two to three-minute song.

Just a minute and thirty seconds was enough for it really.

However, before Kyle could explain what he meant to the session musicians, Oliver and Owen, walked into the studio.

“Well Kyle, you were invited to this year’s Hollywood’s Star Awards and nominated for the Best New Artist and, Best New Song Awards for [Now & Forevermore].” Oliver casually stated to which Kyle immediately replied in a similarly casual tone;

“I’m not going.”

“And no. I don’t have a grudge against them. I just have an album to create and I need all the time I can get.” Kyle clarified, before everyone got the wrong idea.

“Fair point.” Oliver, Jennie and Owen simultaneously stated, one that Caleb, Maeve and Paul nodded in agreement to.

Considering the young man still had four more songs to make asides the three he had sorted out, he really didn’t have the time to spare, attending an award show that could, possibly, snub him again.

Having established his point, Kyle then returned his attention back to the session musicians and stated casually;

“I should inform you guys though…”

“I won’t be singing that outlier of a song with you. I don’t have the voice for it, unfortunately.” he continued, much to the confusion of the three and every other individual in the room who stared at him, their gazes puzzled.

“But you guys do.” he pointed at the three who began to widen their eyes in shock, same for every other person in the studio.