It was autumn 2013. I was at a crossroads: I had recently washed out of university, had no career prospects, and my first band had just fizzled out. Since before I could drive, my mind had been set on the music business. With each aimless, passing day, the idea seemed less plausible. Perhaps I was destined henceforth to wonder what might have been, having exhausted my chance. I was so desperate for direction that I even considered joining the military (thankfully, my younger brothers talked me out of it).
Concurrently, my more studious cousin Matt was attending the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith. Through diligent networking he made acquaintence of his classmate Gavin, from whom he was made privy to a new rock band called Slackline that was forming in town. Matt discovered they were looking for a singer and contacted me to share the news. Sympathetic to my ambition, he had graciously referred me for the position. To my delight, correspondence between myself and the band proceeded quickly and smoothly.
An audition was arranged to determine if I possessed the requisite instrumental skills and personality fit. The group, which consisted of Gavin (bass), Dylan (guitar), and Kirby (drums), had already assembled three instrumental demos with a local engineer and published them to YouTube. I was to learn these pieces (known at the time as “Song 1”, “Song 2”, and “Song 3”) prior to our meeting. Brimming with anticipation, I learned them in one day - I couldn’t help myself! This opportunity was everything I had sought. Slackline was an outfit who took their craft seriously and shared my music taste. I was compelled to put forth my best effort to impress them, to prove that I was the only choice. I would not be satisfied simply to learn the songs: I would finish them as well.
The demos needed lyrics. Despite my then ignorance to the music business term of art, it happened that toplining was one of my specialties. Through years of daydreaming I had accumulated an abundance of song ideas to comb through and polish, while the Slackline demos and this emerging moment of hope inspired new ideas. My feet carved trails in the ground as I paced outside all day; winged creatures danced around the porch light that illuminated the front steps as I continued working late into the night. Sometime well into the small hours, I had written most of the lyrics that would join with the music to become the first three Slackline songs. These songs were “Mondays”, “Breakup Song”, and “Way Back Home”, which would all later feature on regional and international radio.
Later that week, the moment of truth arrived. With my truck bed full of equipment and my cabin electric with confidence, I embarked for my audition. Immediately upon entering Kirby’s loft studio and meeting the band, I was struck by the impression that they were genuine, upstanding gentlemen. A calm washed over me. We were kindred spirits. I believed that the experience the four of us were about to have would be the genesis of an unforgettable era. As we prepared our instruments, I revealed the plot twist.
“You brought lyrics!?”
“I did.”
They were as thrilled with the revelation as I was. We played those three original songs together nearly half a dozen times each that afternoon. It worked! We all agreed that this was a match made in rock & roll heaven. We ended up spending much more time together than originally planned because we enjoyed one another’s company so much. At the end of the audition, they said “so, are you coming back?”
I was in the group - I was the singer of Slackline! This sent me over the moon. In precisely the fashion I expected from these industrious lads, we promptly made like bees and got to work. We put together a rehearsal schedule, ordered merchandise, and booked a photoshoot and a series of gigs. It was really happening. The dream had been restored.
to be continued…
Slackline Website (under construction)
Slackline LP: Dazed & Amused Slackline Bandcamp