Backstage
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Iori
After seeing today's show, I wouldn't have been surprised at someone approaching you like that. But I honestly wasn't expecting it to happen this fast.
Saki
Oh, but nothing's actually been decided yet! We're still waiting to hear back from them...
Saku
Still, if that guy said that he'd have some good news, doesn't that only mean one thing?
Iori
Well, I've seen talks like these quickly go up in smoke before, so I guess it's best to not put all your eggs in this basket...
Iori
At the same time, you've caught the attention of a record company. That means you have a real shot at going pro now or in the future.
Saku
We'd sort of all be bursting onto the scene at the same time, no? Well, maybe not exactly all at once...
Shiho
I had no idea...
I knew that a lot of companies had been approaching you and your band, but I thought you hadn't decided which label to sign with.
I knew that a lot of companies had been approaching you and your band, but I thought you hadn't decided which label to sign with.
Saku
Yes, we were careful about that since we didn't want to sign with anyone that seemed shady.
Saku
Some even wanted to bill us just based on our looks and appearance, which is also not what we wanted.
Iori
These days, there's no real difference between the big labels and indie labels. They all perform the same functions, which means it's up to you to forge your own path.
Iori
That's right. After you sign with a label, you'll be given access to more resources and opportunities.
Iori
For example, putting a solo show together all on your own was pretty tough, right? I'm sure that included having to book a venue and selling tickets.
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Honami
(We managed to find a way this time because others were willing to help us, but things got so hard when we had to do everything on our own...)
Iori
However, you can ask the label you sign with to take care of all that. That allows the musicians to focus on their music.
Iori
When it comes to shows, they'll know how to book good venues, throw in some cool effects and hire an experienced staff.
Iori
They'll also know how to put music videos together that do your songs justice and find airtime with radio stations...
Iori
That way, more and more people will be exposed to your songs... “Happy” probably won't even begin to describe how you'll feel when that happens.
Saki
And how cool would it be for us to go on TV?! Our songs would reach the homes of so many people!
Shiho
It's too soon for that, no?
Keep in mind that we haven't actually signed with anyone yet.
Keep in mind that we haven't actually signed with anyone yet.
Saku
But like I said, how you take advantage of those opportunities is all up to you. Surviving as a band means battling with reality.
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Iori
Until now, you've been able to pursue music the way you want, right? You've decided when to write new songs and put on shows.
Iori
But you can't do that as pros.
In the eyes of record companies, we're their business partners.
In the eyes of record companies, we're their business partners.
Iori
I get that it's not very fun to talk about this kind of stuff, but that's what it means to go pro.
Iori
We provide the label with music they can sell. In return, they'll do everything in their power to get people to buy it.
Iori
Again, that could be through advertising, securing show venues or having songs used somewhere...
Iori
In other words, how successful you are as professional artists depends on how much money you can bring in.
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Shindo
And we won't be able to sign bands that we don't believe will become successful. After all, business is business.
Saku
Actually, that might be one of the best outcomes for an artist who's struggling to bring in money...
Iori
When a label signs a band, they believe, “They're gonna make it!” However, some don't despite having a ton of time and money invested into them.
Iori
When that happens, they have to deal with the guilt they feel toward everyone who worked so hard to promote them.
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Saki
(We'd end up causing a lot of people a lot of trouble, including Mr. Shindo. After convincing him that our music is worth it...)
Iori
I'm not trying to sound like I know everything, but going pro means a whole slew of other people getting involved in your music.
Iori
You guys should keep that in mind moving forward since it's pretty common for bands to get into fights over that very issue.
Saku
There was this one band where the vocalist wanted to become popular by writing catchy songs, but the guitarist and bassist didn't care as much about that. They just wanted to have fun making music.
Saku
Apparently, that gap between them turned into a chasm, which ultimately led to them breaking up.
Saku
But it just comes down to how strong your shared desire to have your music heard is, no? Isn't that what it means to be a band?
Saku
There's nothing wrong with bandmates being close friends. But just being friends isn't what a band is about, right?
Shiho
*Nod*
We formed our band because we wanted our music to move the hearts of as many people as we could reach. That's why we want to go pro.
We formed our band because we wanted our music to move the hearts of as many people as we could reach. That's why we want to go pro.
Shiho
I doubt we're going to forget that any time soon... So, let's keep doing what we can to achieve that goal and never let that feeling fade.
Ichika
She's right. We need to do more in terms of writing songs and lyrics that really resonate with people.
Saki
(Right... I've been hoping to touch people's hearts through our music. That's what's motivated me all this time...)
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Shiho
That'll depend on the equipment, but better quality stuff also makes it harder to cover up our mistakes. We'll need to play each note perfectly...
Honami
We'll have to start practicing much more if we're going to play at those kinds of venues.
Next Chapter: Our Top Priority