the meeting of sylus and greta
Neeeext installment! This just helps me feel productive, since I'm not writing new stuff at the moment... I will, I will, I promise.
SMOKING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Peter and Greta wander in to the upstairs room of the venue, where people play pool and smoke, both of them holding drinks.
PETER
I'm tempted to go hit on Justine. What do you think?
GRETA
I dare you.
PETER
I mean she's single now. I bet she likes music columnists. I bet she finds us intellectual, and sexy.
Greta laughs and Peter ruffles his hair, grinning.
PETER
Give me one more drink and I'll go for it.
GRETA
I'm not giving you any, you get your own. These guys are starting, I'm gonna go down front.
She heads for the stairs.
PETER
All right, you do that. Tell them I said to come up with their own damn name next time!
MAIN ROOM
The Lake are now playing, starting off with a slow guitar intro. Sylus stands back from the mike a little bit, almost shyly, playing a delicate guitar line on his GRANDDAD'S GUITAR - an old Fender Telecaster, stripped to the wooden body underneath its original paint.
Greta slips through the small crowd that stands around the edge of the dance floor, those who hug the bar and small tables until the headliner comes on.
Sylus sings and his voice is nice - rough and gentle at the same time. Tim sings a low harmony for a few lines, and then Sylus pulls out the distortion and the song takes off. They have a clear, kind of shimmering 60s influenced sound, spacey and a little ambient, but not soft.
Greta steps up to the stage and watches them intently, the only person right up front. They are good.
The song finishes with a bang and the crowd CLAPS, not unenthusiastically.
SYLUS
Thanks. We're The Lake, from Portland.
TIM
(mischevious)
No, we're not, Sylus. Don't lie.
Sylus laughs and strums idly on the guitar.
SYLUS
Nobody's heard of SMALL TOWN, Tim.
They launch into another song and Greta aims her camera at Sylus.
CAMERA POV
She takes a snapshot. Sylus glances up surprised.
CUT TO:
LATER
Albus is now onstage, a stocky, gruff-looking group of guys in plaid shirts, a bit of a novelty to the Spaceland crowd. They play prettier music than their look, but SCOTT (30) sings with a raspy voice. A lot more people are gathered around the stage now.
Greta and Peter are at the bar.
GRETA
What did you think of The Lake?
PETER
Well, I was trying to talk to Justine, but it sounded okay, in the background of her hotness. Kind of Okkervil River meets The Shins, I guess.
GRETA
I liked it.
PETER
Did you see the tattoos on the singer? You think he was a hardcore kid who fell in love with James Mercer?
GRETA
(laughs)
I know, it doesn't fit.
Christian approaches them and they both perk up.
CHRISTIAN
(cool smile, to Greta)
I know you, don't I?
GRETA
Hi.
CHRISTIAN
Gretel, right?
(Peter chokes)
You interviewed us. You took all those great pictures at The Silverlake Lounge.
He looks at Peter.
CHRISTIAN
...And you are?
Peter's face is red as he offers his hand, going for the joke even though he's star-struck.
PETER
Hansel.
GRETA
(embarrassed)
Peter, shut up.
(to Christian)
It's Gre-ta, actually, but thanks, I'm glad you liked the pictures. And thanks for inviting us to this show.
CHRISTIAN
Any time, Gre-tah. What's your blog called again?
GRETA
The Lake.
PETER
Same as the last band.
CHRISTIAN
What a coincidence. Their guitarist has the same Deerhoof sticker on his guitar case as mine too.
GRETA
So you guys are hitting the road after this, aren't you, with Albus?
CHRISTIAN
We are. We'll need a good photographer,
(beat)
are you interested?
Greta and Peter both gape at him for a second.
GRETA
I'm sorry?
CHRISTIAN
(casually)
I mean we couldn't pay you or anything. We were going to take this guy Matthias Wiles on spec, but he's sick, apparently. Talk to me after the show!
He turns and walks away, passing Sylus, who is walking up to the bar with Tim. They both looked tired but cheerful.
PETER
(incredulous)
Greta!! Did he say Matthias Wiles? The guy who tours with everyone?
(beat)
You're gonna take his place??
GRETA
He must not be serious about it. He can't be.
PETER
He sounded serious!
GRETA
He sounded flippant.
PETER
(exasperated)
Greta! That's just the way he talks!
Sylus and Tim squeeze up to the bar next to them and Sylus notices Greta. He gives her a friendly nod.
SYLUS
Saw you up front, thanks for being up there.
GRETA
Oh hi. Yeah, sure, I'll send you a picture if I get any good ones.
SYLUS
Thanks! That'd be cool.
TIM
(politely, to Greta)
Would you like a drink?
PETER
I'll have a vodka tonic, thanks.
Tim stares at him, and Greta frowns. Tim shrugs and starts ordering from the bartender.
PETER
(oblivious)
Greta, this is huge! You're a photographer now! I mean, I've been going on and on about being a columnist on our own stupid website -
GRETA
All right, all right, we don't really know yet. Willows Green has to decide, I'm sure that's a label decision.
(to Tim)
Thanks for the drink, you guys sounded good, by the way. I liked the first song a lot.
SYLUS, TIM
Thanks! Thank you.
PETER
(distracted)
I'll be back, Greta, I gotta call Anne and Simon.
He runs off and Greta laughs, looking back at Tim.
GRETA
I'll take his drink.
SYLUS
You're sticking around, right? I mean, obviously for Long Wolf, but Albus are our friends, you should check out the rest of their set.
GRETA
Oh yeah, I know them. I interviewed them for our music blog, The Lake.
Tim and Sylus both nearly choke on their drinks.
GRETA
Speaking of which, I owe them some pics! I gotta get up front. Nice to meet you guys!
She takes her drink and hurries off through the crowd towards the stage.
SYLUS
There's a blog called The Lake??
TIM
Shows how out of the loop we are. Seems like fate though!
SYLUS
Fate? Why?
TIM
Well, they're bound to mention us, aren't they? At least in passing? "And next up was the band that stole our name..."
SYLUS
(grimly)
"In a desperate attempt to get our attention?"
TIM
Nah, she didn't seem like that type. She was cute.
SYLUS
Yeah, she was.
Micah approaches, looking tired and sweaty.
MICAH
All right, I just packed the rest of the gear all by myself, someone's buying me a drink.
Tim pats him on the back.
MAIN ROOM - LATER
Long Wolf are now onstage playing their beloved mix of 60s pop, psychedelica, and sonic madness. The indie fans are all pressed up against the stage, enthusiasm in their faces but their feet absolutely still, because it's uncool to dance.
Christian plays guitar and clings to the mike, singing a bit like Thom Yorke while the other three look very serious as they play: JOHN (28), handsome and thin with glasses, on two huge keyboards, ANTHONY (25), Asian with a round face and longish hair, on the drums, and NEIL (28), skinny and overdressed in a scarf and heavy blazer, on bass.
Sylus, Micah, and Tim stand near one corner of the stage, watching mesmerized. Micah hits Sylus.
MICAH
(over the music)
He's got that kit I want!
TIM
They're still impressive! Even though it's getting a bit old! Christian always wailing, and the rest all stone-faced.
SYLUS
It's a good dynamic.
MICAH
Do we have a dynamic?
SYLUS, TIM
(in unison)
No.
MICAH
Well, maybe we should get one!
Sylus notices Greta in front of them, taking photos. He watches as she stops and stands, watching the band thoughtfully for a moment. Then she climbs up on the corner of the stage, behind John the keyboardist, and takes a side shot. She hops back down and stumbles, Sylus catches her.
She smiles up at him and gives a small wave.
SYLUS
Are you gonna come out with a book?
GRETA
Huh?
SYLUS
Rock photography.
GRETA
No, but I'm going on tour with them!
SYLUS
You are??
She laughs and shakes her head.
GRETA
Maybe, I don't know! They asked me to. Are you guys heading east now?
SYLUS
Nah, this is the end of it. We head back after tonight.
GRETA
Oh, that's too bad. I liked your set.
SYLUS
(shyly)
Thanks... We haven't been around all that long...
Long Wolf finishes up and the crowd CHEERS around them, drowning out his words.
Greta climbs back up on the stage and snaps a picture of the CROWD. The Lake guys are all three right in the center.
SMOKING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Peter and Greta wander in to the upstairs room of the venue, where people play pool and smoke, both of them holding drinks.
PETER
I'm tempted to go hit on Justine. What do you think?
GRETA
I dare you.
PETER
I mean she's single now. I bet she likes music columnists. I bet she finds us intellectual, and sexy.
Greta laughs and Peter ruffles his hair, grinning.
PETER
Give me one more drink and I'll go for it.
GRETA
I'm not giving you any, you get your own. These guys are starting, I'm gonna go down front.
She heads for the stairs.
PETER
All right, you do that. Tell them I said to come up with their own damn name next time!
MAIN ROOM
The Lake are now playing, starting off with a slow guitar intro. Sylus stands back from the mike a little bit, almost shyly, playing a delicate guitar line on his GRANDDAD'S GUITAR - an old Fender Telecaster, stripped to the wooden body underneath its original paint.
Greta slips through the small crowd that stands around the edge of the dance floor, those who hug the bar and small tables until the headliner comes on.
Sylus sings and his voice is nice - rough and gentle at the same time. Tim sings a low harmony for a few lines, and then Sylus pulls out the distortion and the song takes off. They have a clear, kind of shimmering 60s influenced sound, spacey and a little ambient, but not soft.
Greta steps up to the stage and watches them intently, the only person right up front. They are good.
The song finishes with a bang and the crowd CLAPS, not unenthusiastically.
SYLUS
Thanks. We're The Lake, from Portland.
TIM
(mischevious)
No, we're not, Sylus. Don't lie.
Sylus laughs and strums idly on the guitar.
SYLUS
Nobody's heard of SMALL TOWN, Tim.
They launch into another song and Greta aims her camera at Sylus.
CAMERA POV
She takes a snapshot. Sylus glances up surprised.
CUT TO:
LATER
Albus is now onstage, a stocky, gruff-looking group of guys in plaid shirts, a bit of a novelty to the Spaceland crowd. They play prettier music than their look, but SCOTT (30) sings with a raspy voice. A lot more people are gathered around the stage now.
Greta and Peter are at the bar.
GRETA
What did you think of The Lake?
PETER
Well, I was trying to talk to Justine, but it sounded okay, in the background of her hotness. Kind of Okkervil River meets The Shins, I guess.
GRETA
I liked it.
PETER
Did you see the tattoos on the singer? You think he was a hardcore kid who fell in love with James Mercer?
GRETA
(laughs)
I know, it doesn't fit.
Christian approaches them and they both perk up.
CHRISTIAN
(cool smile, to Greta)
I know you, don't I?
GRETA
Hi.
CHRISTIAN
Gretel, right?
(Peter chokes)
You interviewed us. You took all those great pictures at The Silverlake Lounge.
He looks at Peter.
CHRISTIAN
...And you are?
Peter's face is red as he offers his hand, going for the joke even though he's star-struck.
PETER
Hansel.
GRETA
(embarrassed)
Peter, shut up.
(to Christian)
It's Gre-ta, actually, but thanks, I'm glad you liked the pictures. And thanks for inviting us to this show.
CHRISTIAN
Any time, Gre-tah. What's your blog called again?
GRETA
The Lake.
PETER
Same as the last band.
CHRISTIAN
What a coincidence. Their guitarist has the same Deerhoof sticker on his guitar case as mine too.
GRETA
So you guys are hitting the road after this, aren't you, with Albus?
CHRISTIAN
We are. We'll need a good photographer,
(beat)
are you interested?
Greta and Peter both gape at him for a second.
GRETA
I'm sorry?
CHRISTIAN
(casually)
I mean we couldn't pay you or anything. We were going to take this guy Matthias Wiles on spec, but he's sick, apparently. Talk to me after the show!
He turns and walks away, passing Sylus, who is walking up to the bar with Tim. They both looked tired but cheerful.
PETER
(incredulous)
Greta!! Did he say Matthias Wiles? The guy who tours with everyone?
(beat)
You're gonna take his place??
GRETA
He must not be serious about it. He can't be.
PETER
He sounded serious!
GRETA
He sounded flippant.
PETER
(exasperated)
Greta! That's just the way he talks!
Sylus and Tim squeeze up to the bar next to them and Sylus notices Greta. He gives her a friendly nod.
SYLUS
Saw you up front, thanks for being up there.
GRETA
Oh hi. Yeah, sure, I'll send you a picture if I get any good ones.
SYLUS
Thanks! That'd be cool.
TIM
(politely, to Greta)
Would you like a drink?
PETER
I'll have a vodka tonic, thanks.
Tim stares at him, and Greta frowns. Tim shrugs and starts ordering from the bartender.
PETER
(oblivious)
Greta, this is huge! You're a photographer now! I mean, I've been going on and on about being a columnist on our own stupid website -
GRETA
All right, all right, we don't really know yet. Willows Green has to decide, I'm sure that's a label decision.
(to Tim)
Thanks for the drink, you guys sounded good, by the way. I liked the first song a lot.
SYLUS, TIM
Thanks! Thank you.
PETER
(distracted)
I'll be back, Greta, I gotta call Anne and Simon.
He runs off and Greta laughs, looking back at Tim.
GRETA
I'll take his drink.
SYLUS
You're sticking around, right? I mean, obviously for Long Wolf, but Albus are our friends, you should check out the rest of their set.
GRETA
Oh yeah, I know them. I interviewed them for our music blog, The Lake.
Tim and Sylus both nearly choke on their drinks.
GRETA
Speaking of which, I owe them some pics! I gotta get up front. Nice to meet you guys!
She takes her drink and hurries off through the crowd towards the stage.
SYLUS
There's a blog called The Lake??
TIM
Shows how out of the loop we are. Seems like fate though!
SYLUS
Fate? Why?
TIM
Well, they're bound to mention us, aren't they? At least in passing? "And next up was the band that stole our name..."
SYLUS
(grimly)
"In a desperate attempt to get our attention?"
TIM
Nah, she didn't seem like that type. She was cute.
SYLUS
Yeah, she was.
Micah approaches, looking tired and sweaty.
MICAH
All right, I just packed the rest of the gear all by myself, someone's buying me a drink.
Tim pats him on the back.
MAIN ROOM - LATER
Long Wolf are now onstage playing their beloved mix of 60s pop, psychedelica, and sonic madness. The indie fans are all pressed up against the stage, enthusiasm in their faces but their feet absolutely still, because it's uncool to dance.
Christian plays guitar and clings to the mike, singing a bit like Thom Yorke while the other three look very serious as they play: JOHN (28), handsome and thin with glasses, on two huge keyboards, ANTHONY (25), Asian with a round face and longish hair, on the drums, and NEIL (28), skinny and overdressed in a scarf and heavy blazer, on bass.
Sylus, Micah, and Tim stand near one corner of the stage, watching mesmerized. Micah hits Sylus.
MICAH
(over the music)
He's got that kit I want!
TIM
They're still impressive! Even though it's getting a bit old! Christian always wailing, and the rest all stone-faced.
SYLUS
It's a good dynamic.
MICAH
Do we have a dynamic?
SYLUS, TIM
(in unison)
No.
MICAH
Well, maybe we should get one!
Sylus notices Greta in front of them, taking photos. He watches as she stops and stands, watching the band thoughtfully for a moment. Then she climbs up on the corner of the stage, behind John the keyboardist, and takes a side shot. She hops back down and stumbles, Sylus catches her.
She smiles up at him and gives a small wave.
SYLUS
Are you gonna come out with a book?
GRETA
Huh?
SYLUS
Rock photography.
GRETA
No, but I'm going on tour with them!
SYLUS
You are??
She laughs and shakes her head.
GRETA
Maybe, I don't know! They asked me to. Are you guys heading east now?
SYLUS
Nah, this is the end of it. We head back after tonight.
GRETA
Oh, that's too bad. I liked your set.
SYLUS
(shyly)
Thanks... We haven't been around all that long...
Long Wolf finishes up and the crowd CHEERS around them, drowning out his words.
Greta climbs back up on the stage and snaps a picture of the CROWD. The Lake guys are all three right in the center.
posted by Simone @ 3:54 PM
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