King of Stage

tick. tick.

"I wish it was a King for a day, not the Jonas Brothers; I'm not going to make Atlantic another Disney."

After a short breath, Ahmet said so.

In terms of words, Ahmet is still impeccable and has not responded positively to Alice's needs. Atlantic Records is indeed taking the absolute initiative when facing a small indie band like One Day Kings. It is difficult for One Day Kings to bargain ; but Ahmet's answer still has a certain meaning.

At least it shows that Ahmet is satisfied with the king for a day.

Well, Ahmet should also know that the most valuable thing for indie bands is their own characteristics. Otherwise, after losing their characteristics, they will become the same Barbie dolls, and there is no need for them to waste time on indie bands. As it was with Bruno, so it was with King for a Day.

At this time, Ronan didn't think of Alan Behshuk who introduced the band to Ahmet, but the first thing that popped into his mind was the brief meeting with Curtis just now.

"Mr. Ertecon."

Alice spoke again, bringing the conversation's attention back.

During the short conversation between Ronan and Ahmet, Alice had quickly flipped through the contract in her hand, and successfully found the key to the contract, which is the most important point of today's interview——

Sign-up bonuses and royalties.

In simple terms, it is "contract value".

In fact, this should be the key point. Alice has already done enough homework. What conditions should the band ask for is the most suitable? Be prepared for deep debate.

But they didn't expect that the contract figures were very reasonable, and there was no "price reduction" situation they were worried about.

It was as if Alice had rolled up her sleeves, clenched her fists, and entered the boxing ring lightly, but the referee told her that there was no opponent today.

A little nothingness.

Of course, if you want to further strive for benefits, there is no problem. After all, who doesn't want to increase the value of the contract?

But the brief conversation between you and me made Alice think differently.

Maybe, they don't need to spend too much energy on the value of the contract, because anyway, they are nobodies, indie bands, trying their best to win only trivial interests, and can also exhaust themselves into a situation where it is difficult to really change situation.

Correspondingly, they can give up the competition for interests and strive for more free breathing space in band creation and production. This is more suitable for the needs of a king for a day, right?

Alice carefully observed Ronan's expression, then made her own judgment and choice, and made a sound at the right moment, attracting Ahmet's attention.

Then, with a smile, Alice said, "Similarly, Kings for a Day are very happy to be part of Atlantic Records."

Snapped!

That's the conclusion.

that's all?

The speed was unimaginable. Before Cliff could recover, the confrontation had died down and the conclusion was reached. He originally wanted to express some opinions, worried that Alice would not be able to control the situation, but The actual situation was beyond imagination, the sparks blazing air made the heart completely tense, and before I had time to adjust my breathing, the negotiation was over.

So, what is the situation now? What exactly are signing bonuses and royalties? The band, just signed with Atlantic Records?

The answer, of course, is no.

Before officially signing the contract, Alice still needs to invite a professional lawyer to conduct and analyze it. It is one thing to worry about the overlord clause hidden in the contract. in the contract trap.

Even now, Alice's work is not done—

They gave up the right to further compete for signing bonuses and royalties,

But she can’t just give up in obscurity. She needs to make a voice to let Ahmet know that the band’s compromise in terms of contract interests is to ensure the freedom of creative space. Atlantic Records needs to get to grips with this.

Alice and Ahmet went further into the conversation. Cliff and Maxim listened very carefully, interjecting from time to time to express their opinions, but Ronan and Ollie slowly began to lose their minds—as a result, Ahmet Noticing it, he specially sent out an invitation for Ronan to appreciate his vinyl record collection.

Ronan was not polite, and after politely expressing his gratitude, he turned around and began to browse in front of the bookshelf, and then Ollie joined him.

Although it is said that Atlantic Records is not one of the top five record companies in the world, and its scale has never been able to transform into a giant, it was annexed by Warner; but it is undeniable that Atlantic Records has indeed left a strong mark in the long history of North American music. Pens create countless brilliance.

From rhythm and blues to soul, from rock to pop, the soul of this record company has two contradictory but unified ideas of retro and innovation. After carefully browsing the collection on Ahmet's bookshelf, Ronan couldn't help Get excited because Kings for a Day is also a part of it.

It is a pity that Ronan was not able to browse all the vinyl records. On the one hand, the collection is huge, and it is definitely not possible to browse through it in a short time. It is as vast as the ocean; on the other hand, because of Curtis's intrusion, After interrupting the meeting, he pulled Ronan and prepared to return to the studio.

Ronan asked Alice with his eyes, and after getting a positive answer, he turned around and followed Curtis out of the office, returned to the third floor, and continued to discuss the composition of the arrangement with Curtis—at the same time, those who joined them also There's Ollie, because the original first version of the song came from Ollie.

Bustling.

Busy.

The passage of time also became blurred. When the band members left Atlantic Records and stood under the sky of New York again, the sun was already slowly setting towards the west. On the surface of the Xun River, the light is refracted.

Inexplicably, there was an illusion as if it was a world away. When entering and exiting, the world changed in such a trance.

"Alice, royalties..." Cliff couldn't hold back his curiosity after all, because he hadn't heard the exact figure during the entire negotiation process, and neither Alice nor Ahmet had mentioned it. It's not easy for him to mention it directly, and he didn't speak until he left the building.

But before he could finish speaking, Maxim stopped Cliff and signaled with his eyes: standing at the door of the record company, we still need to pay attention.

So, Cliff closed his mouth again, and waited until he got into the car, started the engine, and left Atlantic Records before asking again.