Chapter Five - Starting Over

 

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Zac called his parents, the Nieuwenhofs, and received permission to stay in Wollongong long-term, and Isaac gained an extension on his visa.

 

And so they began the process of putting together a demo recording. Their recording merely consisted of two original compositions and two covers, for they guessed that their reputation alone might be enough to score themselves another recording contract. The first had of course been terminated due to ‘unforseen circumstances’. Their cover songs were Lean On Me and Tucker’s Daughter, the second being Taylor’s request. It was one of his favourites.

 

The completed CDs were submitted to five different record companies…Festival Mushroom, Sony, Universal, BMG and Warner. Each of the recordings was accompanied by a letter, detailing who they were, and a photograph. Mitch, being the talented photographer that he was, had taken a series of photographs of the three of them. The standout was Taylor…what with his red hair, and the fact that he was in a wheelchair, it was kind of hard to miss him.

 

J

 

They were sitting out on the back deck about a week after sending out their demo recordings, talking. Taylor voiced something he’d been thinking about.

 

“So where to from here?”

 

Silence. Then Isaac spoke.

 

“I’d probably move here,” he answered. “How about you, Zac?”

 

Zac nodded. “Definitely. I mean, I love Noosa Heads. It’s a beautiful place. But…I don’t wanna be cut off from you guys for more than I have to be. I missed you so much these past years. Besides, this place is awesome.”

 

“Um, Zac, what will you do about school? I mean, you’re not exactly 18 yet,” Taylor stated.

 

Zac shrugged. “So? I don’t need a twelfth grade education to be a musician.”

 

“All I’m saying is, you could do your HSC by correspondence or something. Maybe even at TAFE. So if, you know, this doesn’t work out, you have something to fall back on.”

 

“I’ll think about it. If I do take that option, I’m starting next year. I’ve already left school.”

 

“Fair enough,” Taylor agreed.

 

They heard the phone ring inside. Mitch answered it, and they heard him speaking to the caller on the other end of the line.

 

“Reid residence…yeah, I can get them for you. Hang on a tick.”

 

Mitch stuck his head out of the back door. “Hey you guys, there’s someone calling from Universal Music, wanting to talk to one of you. Who’s gonna take the call?”

 

“I will,” Zac volunteered. He ducked inside and took the handset from Mitch. “Zac Nieuwenhof speaking…yeah, I’m in Hanson…you do? Awesome! I’ll tell Taylor and Isaac straight away. Thank you so much!”

 

He hung up and barrelled outside again. “Guys, we have a meeting with the talent scout for Universal Music on Saturday,” he announced.

 

J

 

The meeting was a success.

 

“I’d forgotten how intimidating record execs can be,” Zac said softly. He and Taylor were out on the back deck once again, while a party raged inside.

 

“You know, I was thinking about something last night,” Taylor said. “People associate Hanson with the image of three blonde kids. That’s not who we are anymore. I think we need a different name, to show who we are now.”

 

“You’re right,” Zac agreed. “I mean, Tay, you’re a redhead now. And you’re in a wheelchair.”

 

“That wasn’t something I needed to be reminded of.”

 

“Sorry. What I’m saying is that we give ourselves a new name, and we only reveal the truth about ourselves once we’re established. Something short and attention-grabbing.”

 

The insignia on the side of Taylor’s wheelchair caught Zac’s eye. “Hey, Tay, what’s that word say?” he asked, pointing to the flash of red lettering.

 

Taylor leaned over. “Firebird,” he replied, straightening up again. “Ow, my head.”

 

“That’s it. That’s what we’ll call ourselves.”

 

“What will we call ourselves?” Isaac had come outside, a cranberry Ruski in his right hand.

 

“Firebird,” Zac replied. “That’s our new band name. I mean, we aren’t Hansons as such anymore. And we don’t fit our old image.”

 

“That’s perfect.”

 

“And there’s actually a story behind it. It’s the word I painted on the side of my wheelchair to brighten it up,” Taylor added.

 

“It’s settled, then,” Zac decided.

 

Firebird. It had a good rhythm to it.