The house show encounter with Anna Reed left Jason hopeful but cautious. He could see the potential in her, the raw talent and emotion that could resonate deeply with a broader audience. But she was also guarded, hesitant to trust anyone after having dealt with the industry's controlling hand. He couldn't blame her; he had lived that experience, too. But now, he needed to show her that his label was different—that it wasn't about commercializing her talent but about amplifying her voice on her own terms.
It had been a few days since the house show, and while Jason tried to remain patient, he couldn't help but wonder whether Anna would take the invitation seriously. As he sat in the studio with Max, both of them reviewing tracks from Harper's newly released album, Jason's thoughts kept drifting back to Anna.
"You think she's going to show?" Max asked, glancing up from the soundboard. He could sense Jason's distraction.
Jason shrugged, fiddling with his phone. "I don't know. She said she'd think about it, but I can tell she's been burned before. She's probably weighing whether it's worth the risk."
Max nodded. "Yeah, I get that. But once she sees what we're about, she'll realize this isn't like the other labels. We're offering her something real."
"That's the hope," Jason said, but his voice was laced with uncertainty.
Just as he was about to suggest they get back to work, Jason's phone buzzed on the desk. He picked it up, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the message.
Anna: "I'll come by your studio tomorrow. What time works?"
Jason grinned. "She's coming."
Max pumped his fist into the air. "Yes! That's what I'm talking about! Get ready, man. Tomorrow could be a game changer."
The next day, Jason made sure everything was set up for Anna's visit. The studio was clean and ready, with a few acoustic guitars and a keyboard out in case inspiration struck. He wanted Anna to feel comfortable and relaxed, like she was walking into a space where creativity flowed naturally.
When Anna arrived, she looked the same as she had the other night—quiet, unassuming, but with that same intensity behind her eyes. She wore a simple sweater and jeans, her guitar slung over her shoulder. Jason greeted her warmly, leading her into the studio where Max was already waiting.
"Hey, Anna. Good to see you again," Jason said, offering her a seat. "Thanks for coming."
Anna gave a small smile and sat down, glancing around the studio. "It's nice here. It feels... different."
"Different how?" Max asked, curious.
"Less like a business," Anna said, her eyes scanning the instruments and recording equipment. "More like... a place where music happens."
Jason chuckled. "That's exactly what we want it to feel like. We're not a big corporate label—we're just a group of musicians trying to create something real."
Anna nodded, but Jason could see she was still guarded. He decided to take a different approach.
"We won't talk business today," he said, leaning back in his chair. "No contracts, no deals. Let's just play some music. I want you to feel what this place is about."
Anna's shoulders relaxed slightly, and Jason handed her one of the guitars they had set up. "Play us something. Whatever you're working on, whatever's on your mind."
She hesitated for a moment, then took the guitar, her fingers instinctively finding the strings. After a brief pause, she began to play. The melody was soft at first, almost hesitant, but as she sang, the music grew stronger, filled with the same raw emotion Jason had heard at the house show.
Her voice filled the studio, each note carrying a weight that was impossible to ignore. Jason and Max listened, captivated by the simplicity and honesty of her performance. It was clear that Anna wasn't just singing a song—she was telling a story, one that felt personal and deeply meaningful.
When she finished, there was a brief silence in the room before Max let out a low whistle. "Wow. That was... incredible."
Jason nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I told you. You've got something special, Anna. And I don't just mean your voice. It's the way you connect with the music. It's real."
Anna shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her gaze dropping to the guitar in her lap. "I just... I don't want to lose that, you know? I don't want to get caught up in the industry and lose what makes this important to me."
Jason leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm. "That's why we're here. To protect that. We're not interested in turning you into something you're not. We want to help you share your music, the way you want it to be heard."
Anna looked up, meeting his gaze. There was a flicker of hope in her eyes, but it was tinged with uncertainty. "It's just... every time I've talked to a label before, it's always about what they can change, how they can 'polish' my sound. I don't want that. I don't want to be polished."
Jason smiled. "Good. Neither do we. You're not here to fit into some pre-made mold. You're here to make music that matters, on your own terms."
Max chimed in, his voice upbeat. "This place isn't about chasing the next big trend. It's about creating something timeless. If you want to keep things raw, we'll keep them raw. If you want to experiment with new sounds, we'll help you do that too. Whatever feels right to you."
Anna looked between the two of them, her guarded expression softening a little. "I'll be honest... I wasn't expecting this. I thought it would be like all the other places."
Jason shrugged. "We've been there too. We know what it's like to feel like you're just a product, a commodity. But that's not what we're doing here. We want to help artists stay true to themselves."
For the first time, Anna smiled—a real, genuine smile that reached her eyes. "Okay. Let's try something."
Jason felt a surge of excitement. This was it—the breakthrough they'd been hoping for.
For the next few hours, they worked together, playing around with some of Anna's songs. Jason offered small suggestions—nothing that would change the core of her music, just ways to enhance what was already there. He could tell that Anna was still cautious, but she was starting to trust them, starting to open up creatively in a way she hadn't before.
At one point, Max suggested they try recording one of the songs live, capturing the raw energy of the moment. Anna agreed, and they set up a few mics around the room, keeping the setup simple. Jason watched as Anna took her place in front of the microphone, her hands steady on the guitar. When she started playing, it was as if the rest of the world disappeared. There was only the music, and the emotion that poured out of her like a tidal wave.
When the last note faded, the room was silent for a long moment. Jason exchanged a glance with Max, who gave a small nod of approval.
"That was perfect," Jason said softly. "We don't need to touch a thing."
Anna looked surprised. "Really?"
"Really," Jason said. "It's exactly as it should be."
Max grinned. "That's going on the album, for sure."
Anna blinked. "Album?"
Jason smiled. "If you're up for it. I think we could do something really special here, Anna. You've got the talent, the songs, and now, you've got the support. We could make this happen."
Anna hesitated, her fingers tracing the strings of the guitar. "I... I don't know. This is all happening so fast."
Jason nodded, understanding. "I get it. Take your time. Think it over. We're not going anywhere, and neither are you. When you're ready, we'll be here."
Anna gave a small nod, a hint of a smile on her face. "Thanks. I appreciate that."
That night, after Anna left the studio, Jason and Max sat in the control room, reviewing the recordings they had made. The sound was raw, unpolished, but undeniably powerful. Jason couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something important.
"She's in," Max said confidently, leaning back in his chair. "She might not realize it yet, but she's definitely in."
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, I think you're right. She's just scared. It's a big leap, especially for someone like her."
Max nodded. "She'll come around. And when she does, we're going to make one hell of an album."
Jason smiled, feeling a sense of anticipation building inside him. Anna was a rare talent—one that didn't come around often. If they could help her stay true to her sound, if they could bring out the best in her without compromising her integrity, they would have something truly special on their hands.
As he closed up the studio for the night, Jason couldn't help but feel like this was exactly where he was meant to be. The struggles, the setbacks, the doubts—it had all led him here, to this moment.
And for the first time in a long time, he was excited about the future.