I know, it's almost been a lifetime since I have taken a moment to post something here. I came across the draft I was intending to shared, though... And luckily, it's about one of the most important things to have happened to me since I've arrived. :
It has been a dizzying mess of confusion since my last post. I reached a point where I no longer wanted to wait and felt the necessity of having a band grow to an intolerable weight. With the help of a friend, I discovered an open door where could start my search. After about a week and a half of searching and dividing possibilities from scary creepers, I found myself making an appointment to meet someone. As the day approached, my heart rose to eventually find lodging in my throat. Arriving at the station about two hours early, I paced back and forth in front of the arranged meeting place. My eyes darted across the ticket gates, wondering what to look for, if I was too obvious....about 30minutes before the set meeting time, I noticed a young man in business attire watching me...it was a bit unnerving, but then the thought struck me that he could be the guitarist who was mentioned. Indeed, he turned out to be who I thought. The bassist who I was expecting to meet came off as a very seriuos critic and maybe even hard to approach. The introduction phase of our meeting was a blur...I fumbled over words and tried to explain myself. They suggested sitting down and drinking something, but sitting in a little bar, shakily holding a glass of water made me feel no more ease. My eyes darted over the table from him to her, and back again, trying to understand everything they told me and all they were asking. I finally sucked up the nerve to just ask to *show* them how I sang instead of trying to put it into words. They quickly agreed and I followed nervously through the narrow corridors of Sannomiya station out to the roadway and to a karaoke place.
Something in me just took hold and when the song started, I resolved to put it all out there. There was nothing I could lose. I could walk away and at least know I gave it my all. They didn't know me, so I might as well try and blow them off their feet. My voice trembled a bit, but I held strong notes and showed some of my range. I could hear the woman talking about me as I continued, discussing with the younger man about her thoughts and perception. I finished two songs and sat nervously on the edge of the seat opposing the woman, studying her face and wondering what she had said. She had a red aura, I felt, but the younger man was much more calming. I felt comfort in that he spoke slowly and seemed to take in all that I spat out, even though I knew I barely made sense.
As we exited the karaoke place and filed out into the streetway, he leaned forward to tell me they wanted me to join their band. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to cry or to hug them or to scream, but my heart was pounding, and I breathlessly repeated ありがとう over and over. It was a dream. We neared the station again and paused to exchange contact infromation. The woman gave me some expecations she had, and the younger man confirmed information and let me listen to a song he was making to check and see if it was something I really wanted to do. The official practice with the other guitarist and drummer were scheduled for the following week. "
The journey I've been on with such incredible and talented people, I still can't believe I'm involved in the kind of band I've dreamed of all my life. In all seriousness, the keyboardist (whom I mentioned as a guitarist earlier) is next to musical geniusness, I think. His mind is beautiful, his music is incredible, his ability is just amazing. He's able to write down notes as he hears them, but he's also able to bring everyone together in a way of understanding you'd expect from someone decades older. He's also kind of a life teacher for me...able to say words of wisdom or sense in the right way to calm me from freaking out or to open my eyes to something i haven't been seeing. The bassist is such a strong leader. She can be strict and demanding, but she has a wonderful heart and wants everyone to give their best. She has a lot of experience she tries to share with me to help me grow more or understand how to do things. We still can't say much to each other (that's understandable) because...well, my Japanese ability is still very poor, but I love that she pushes me to do more. She's so cool, I hope someday I can be more like her...^^; The guitarist...he's more than just good. He's also amazing. He know so many people I look up to in the Indies world here, and there are so many people who know him just by mention of name that still surprise me. His style is just so professional. He tries to keep a cold exterior to keep appearances and it's difficult to talk to him, but I've seen enough of his kindness to know he has a good heart. I just need to prove myself to him more. I'm always wary of him leaving to find someone better...I really want to give him more of a reason to stay! The drummer....he really is like Yoshiki, even in funny ways...like almost always being late. He wears sunglasses and nice clothes all the time and he also does magic tricks! ( I love them!) But he's so talented....the way he plays...the way he composes...it's amazing and beautiful. I truly am lucky to know each and every person in this band, and it's nothing less than amazing all of them are in MY band.
I have faced so many rough areas in the past year here, but my band and these people have made it more than worth it. I know I came for the right reason. More to come later....
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