Progress

"You're kidding, right? We've made so much progress so fast," I muttered. 

Was becoming a singer always this easy? Lumi had only about two weeks of singing practice. Granted that it was probably the most efficient and effective practice any singer could ever do, but still. Two weeks. It was so surreal. 

My gazed flicked back to Daniella and the phone in her hand. I lunged towards it like a starving hyena meeting a carcass. There was no way. I had to see for myself. 

"H-hey!" Daniella yelped in surprise. She fell into the sofa as I caught the phone that slipped from her hand. 

"You posted one of these videos," I realized. I continued clicking around the message center.

"Uh, duh? How else we were to go viral over half a night if there wasn't a small fanbase to kickstart things first?" 

"I didn't think of that..." 

I clicked the details of the first of four emails and read them out loud. 

[Exclusive Invitation to Join UBI Music Group]

[Dear miss.ellasings,]

[I hope this message finds you well. As representatives of UBI Music Group, we have been captivated by the extraordinary talent and remarkable vocal abilities of the singer in your latest video. Her unique sound and undeniable passion for music have left an indelible mark on us.]

I paused. The introduction felt a little rude and off-putting to me. 

"Can they do that? The email is obviously directed to you, but the contents are not. I'd be crushed." 

"I shot the video closest to her and at the best angle," Daniella answered. "I also added a little something to the description. They think Lumi's a relative of mine." 

"I see," I said.

I raised an eyebrow but decided not to think any more of that. Well, she and Lumi did get along like sisters. I hoped I was not reading the lines too much...

[We believe that great artists deserve a platform to shine, and we are thrilled to extend this exclusive invitation to her. Here's why we think she'd be a perfect fit for our label:]

[Exceptional Singing Ability: Her voice transcends boundaries, evoking emotions and connecting with listeners on a profound level. We envision her music resonating with audiences worldwide.]

[Artistic Vision: Her commitment to authenticity and creativity aligns perfectly with our label's ethos. We value artists who dare to be different and push the boundaries of their craft.]

[Stage Presence: Her performances are electrifying, leaving audiences spellbound. We can't wait to see her light up stages across the globe.

Songwriting Prowess: Her lyrical prowess and ability to tell compelling stories through her music sets her apart. We believe her songs have the potential to become anthems.]

[Collaborative Spirit: We foster a collaborative environment where artists thrive. Her openness to collaboration and willingness to explore new sounds excite us.]

[Joining UBI Music Group means more than just signing a contract; it's an artistic journey where we'll work together to elevate her career. Here's what we offer:]

[Professional Guidance: Our experienced team will guide her through every step, from recording to marketing and touring.]

[Creative Freedom: While we value commercial success, we also respect her artistic vision. She'll have creative control over her music.]

[Global Exposure: Our extensive network ensures that her music reaches audiences worldwide.]

[If she's ready to take her career to new heights, reply to this email, and let's schedule a meeting together with the three of us. We'd love to discuss the possibilities and hear more about her musical aspirations.]

[Thank you for sharing her gift with the world. We eagerly await your response.]

[Warm regards,]

[Mark S. Head of Recruitment, Head Talent Scout. UBI Music Group. *** - **** - ****]

My mouth was a bit dry from all that reading, so I did not speak. That was half of the story. In truth, I was a bit taken aback and left speechless on how to respond. 

Daniella watched me with a flutter of curiosity in her eyes. I sensed a little bit of teasing coming from them. 

"Well, what do you think?"

"It kind of killed me excitement," I admitted. "There's no actual mention of an offer and details of a contract, and the whole email reads so corporate and does not feel sincere." 

Daniella chuckled. "Most people would go over the moon for an invitation to join UBI." 

"Well, UBI Music Group was the label that put me off the most." 

The UBI of UBI Music Group stood for ubiquitous, meaning present, appearing, or found everywhere. They were one of the oldest and largest record labels in the world, tied to a lot of smaller label branches and divisions with their name. 

From their monstrous size and presence in the industry, I did not want to send Lumi there. I knew competition inside for resources would be more bloodthirsty than in the jungle. I knew their contracts would be predatory. and exploitative. They did not have a good track record for treating their younger artists well, either. Sending Lumi there was comparable to sending sheep to the slaughter. 

All the sudden I grew concerned. 

"With UBI's giant presence, they wouldn't be offended if we reject their offer, right?"

Daniella laughed again. "Weren't you one who wanted Lumi to be too good to be banned from the industry?" 

"Well, we need to have some standing in the industry first..." I mumbled. 

"There's three other offers that'll maybe satisfy you. You've researched all of them, no?" 

I nodded and began reading the other three emails. Another bout of silence fell as I saw a sinking feeling grow in my heart. The two other offers were the same, in the same tone, in the same message. Only a few words were different. They were all from reputable labels too, which answered why.

"If you want to take chances with an indie or smaller label, give the video a few days to ferment. They have less resources and must consider their recruitment and scouting offers carefully." 

I gave a despondent sigh. "Yeah. You're right." 

My finger moved slow in clicking the last email. I was not expecting much from the offer until I read the name of the label on the subject line. 

Little Starlight Entertainment. 

My eyes widened. Progress. We made too much progress today.