From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"It's just ahead, around the corner."

Anson gestured, then sped off on his skateboard, leading the way. Sunlight, a gentle breeze, and palm trees swept back on either side like waves parting, the whole world rapidly rotating around that figure.

Dustin nodded slightly. "That's the image that emerged from the melody."

Freedom, unrestrained, wild, and dashing.

Whether it's 'Wake Me Up' or 'Hero,' the musical notes carefully concealed scars and bitterness, but the musical temperament is free and grand, silently overlapping with the figure before us.

Just now, Anson called out to Dustin and Mike, but didn't invite them into his home. Instead, he asked them to wait a moment at the door.

In less than five minutes, Anson quickly washed up, tidied himself, changed clothes, tamed his wild hair with a hat, reappeared on his skateboard, and brought them to the coffee shop around the corner.

Everything was simple and efficient, carrying a sense of uninhibited freedom.

On the contrary, Mike couldn't keep up. Even though they had taken the initiative to come to the door, Anson had quietly seized the initiative—

As expected of Anson, capable of catching even Jay Leno off guard.

Honestly, compared to the overwhelming popularity Anson has gained recently, his real person inevitably causes slight disappointment:

Two eyes. A nose. A mouth.

Anson looks no different from other young people, just a bit more handsome at most.

But calming down and thinking it over, the idea of expecting Anson to have three heads and six arms and be different from everyone else is truly absurd. Anson isn't an alien.

Slowly, little by little, subtly sensing Anson's aura, before they knew it, they had already appreciated Anson's uniqueness.

A kind of temperament—

A light gray long-sleeved hooded T-shirt paired with light blue denim shorts, topped off with a red San Francisco 49ers baseball cap, and out the door on his skateboard.

That combination.

Long sleeves with shorts? A hooded T-shirt with a baseball cap?

Clearly, everything is mismatched, but when worn on Anson, it just naturally attracts attention. The coffee shop was only two blocks away, and all along the way, they could see gazes quietly gathering, without exception from passersby.

Thus, Dustin made that exclamation.

Mike was puzzled, "So, what image is presented in the music?"

Dustin shrugged lightly, "Someone like Anson."

Mike: Rolls his eyes.

After all, their professions are different.

Dustin is a producer, focusing on musicality; Mike is in marketing, focusing on the singer's marketability. Their perspectives on the issue are naturally different.

Just like now.

Mike couldn't explain everything he saw. Something was different, just different, which convinced him that he could see the band's marketability.

Simply put, Mike believed that this band's music could make money. As for whether it was Anson or the music that could make money, he didn't care.

Dustin looked at Mike, "I think we should speak frankly."

Mike, "What do you mean?"

Dustin, "I'm just saying, there's no need to lie or beat around the bush. I believe Anson can see through it all. It's better to be honest and show sincerity."

Mike, "I, I wasn't planning on lying anyway."

Dustin ignored him, strolled past Mike, and pushed open the door of the coffee shop. Mike sighed helplessly, then followed.

The coffee shop was nothing special, clean and simple. The decor, with a modern touch, wasn't particularly luxurious either. It looked like any non-chain coffee shop commonly found in Los Angeles, but Anson seemed particularly comfortable and relaxed. It was obvious that he was a regular.

Ordering, taking a seat.

Mike looked at Dustin, then at Anson, and then realized that no one was going to speak first. Finally, he broke the silence and started the conversation.

"Warner Records wants to sign the band and record an album. When I say 'the band,' I mean you, Lily, Connor, and Miles. We hope you can form a band and perform."

Concise and clear.

Anson nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "That's good news." But the smile didn't reach his eyes. He remained calm, quietly looking at Mike. "So, what are the specific terms? What price do we have to pay, and what can we get in return?"

Mike: This…

Are all artists so blunt these days? Jumping straight to discussing contract terms?

Mike couldn't help but glance at Dustin, who had a look of amusement on his face.

Mike withdrew his gaze and quickly calmed down. Although this wasn't his forte, he wasn't unfamiliar with it—a necessary part of dealing with artists.

"We can sit down and discuss the specifics slowly."

"I believe your band has been contacted by more than one or two companies during this time, but Warner Records is very sincere. We are willing to give the band the greatest creative freedom and the best contract terms."

"The reason Dustin and I came to visit in person today is partly to show our sincerity. We hope to sit down and talk face-to-face with you, rather than exchanging opinions coldly over the phone or email."

"On the other hand, it's because we respect the band's soul. We hope to preserve this uniqueness. Dustin will serve as the record producer and work with you to create an album around the band's color."

Mike turned to look at Dustin.

Although Dustin had been watching the show from the sidelines, upon hearing his name, he put away his smile, displayed a professional demeanor, and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Dustin added, "Look, there's no music like this in the market right now."

"A cello appearing in a rock band? Bass and cello resonating together? No formal drummer in the band? The music doesn't focus on the lead singer but revolves around the instruments?"

"And so on, everything is brand new, even a completely new challenge. We must seize this kind of trait, carry out a brand new exploration of rock, and even redefine the band, redefine the band."

"I like your creative attitude, a kind of unfettered freedom, and I also hope to condense this wildness and dash into the record."

Although Dustin seemed nonchalant just now, when he got into his profession, he showed his talent, his eyes and tone different.

Mike nodded repeatedly in agreement.

After a pause, Dustin added, "Just like our meeting just now, 'I believe in Buddha,' God, that's really too genius, I mean, Amitabha, that's just too genius."

Mike: Face full of black lines, why bring up something that shouldn't be brought up!

"Ahem," Mike cleared his throat to interrupt, "Dustin means, we like your uniqueness and hope to preserve it in the music. Warner Records is always like this, putting the artist's uniqueness first."