Chapter 179 - A Young Band of Engineers

(cont'd from prev chapter) (Skip to next chapter if you want. This is just about percussive corrections.)

When it comes to the income the band earned in their headline gigs, they have earned much more than they had, had they played in the opening or supporting spots. After all, a headliner usually earns six times more than an opening spot, and three times more than a supporting act. +

Translating to figures, they were earning an average of 3,000 BGC (1500USD) each gig they headline. The band headlining twice a week, is earning them 24,000 BGC a month, and divided among the members, they earn around 4,000 BGC monthly. 

Another benefit to their increase in popularity, is the calls they received for private gigs. Since their appearance on Good Morning Ouigab, the band has performed at weddings all around Ouigab averaging twice a month. With their very diverse instruments, they have become a reliable live – band among wedding planners and wedding receptions.

Tayaw, in accordance to his assessment of the band's skills, has recommended the band to charge 3000 BGC per hour of performance. Unlike their gigs at the ROH factory, the band found it easier to perform at weddings as they did not have to do as much song arrangements, and can only practice the songs given by wedding planners. The combined income from their bar and wedding gigs prompted the band to finally decide to stop receiving 'allowances' from Tayaw. 

One last benefit to their increase in internet popularity, is the band's increased sales of their albums. 

"So.. You guys ready?" Bay-an says, with a smile.

The band has agreed to not look at their sales for surprises sake and to prevent it from distracting them in school and their practice. Even though they have sold physical albums themselves, they went out of their way of stopping themselves from tracking the numbers. Only Bay-an, who prints the CDs and monitors the digital sales, is in the know.

"Yep… Go ahead…" The band waits in anticipation. 

"Alright. First off. The digital sales. We have…"

The band has sold 700 digital copies of their albums, combined, from iTunes and Google Play Music which netted them 10,500 BGC (5,250 USD). The combined Stoppify streams of all their songs meanwhile, totaled to 207,000 since the band released it on the platform earning them a total of only 1600 BGC (800USD). 

"So… 12,000 BGC. In five months…" Inson sighs in disappointment.

"Hey… we crossed 100,000 streams though." Ike on the other hand, is optimistic at the result.

"I mean, it's our debut album. Considering we're unknown, we've done alright." Hoon says, pragmatically. 

After a few exchanges of opinions, the band finally settles down.

"How did we do with the CDs?" Ramil asks.

"The CDs…" Bay-an begins his report. 

The physical copies on the other hand, they have sold over 500. 100 copies came from the band personally selling the albums to other college students, and the rest sold in ROH Factory with Rudy's permission. The physical copies netted them 7500 BGC (3750 USD). 

"Hm. We sold that much, huh. Wow." Inson says, more impressed this time as he can approximate 500 physical CDs better than digital sales.

"Yeah. Like that's three CDs a day… Not bad." Jenna nods. 

"So… 1200 in total. It's like … 10 lecture halls' worth of people." Ramil says, helping the group visualize the number of people who bought the albums.

"Yes. We've done great, I think. And while the numbers are still growing, it's been almost 6 months. It's slowing down." Bay-an reports further. 

"Yeah. About that. Now that we're on school break, I can focus more now on writing songs again. I already have written some melodies. I'm not going back home this break." Inson says, excitedly.

"Yeah. I've realized listening to our songs what I could have done better. I'll ask for Tayaw's opinions on the songs I've been writing." Hoon also updates his song progress.

"Damn, I thought you guys were just playin around. Oh well. I've been learning how to make more up-beat songs with happier melodies lately. I can't wait to try them out." Bay-an says. 

"Hmm. How about you guys? Me, Hoon, and Ike are from Ouigab so we'll be here the entire break. Are you guys planning on going home?" Bay-an asks, hoping that Jenna and Ramil, who are not locals, are not going home.

"Unless we are also taking a break from our gigs, I don't think I'm going home. I already told my mom and dad." Ramil scratches his cheek.

"True. And. Wendy called me about a few weddings. It would be a waste to not take those." Jenna, the contact person for the wedding gigs, informs the group. 

Before their meeting can continue, they are interrupted by the door of the studio opened by a familiar face. 

"Fellas! Good Morning! Or is it lunch already?" Chala enters the studio with a stack of folders in his hand, and following him behind is Payew who is carrying two plastic bags of take-out food with him.

"Chala! My man!"

"What's up man?"

"Hey there."

"Yo! That's from that chicken place!"

"What are you doing here?" The band members ask their questions in quick succession.

"Oh. You hurt me, Hoon. Am I not welcome anymore?" Chala jokes.

"Nah. It's just a surprise, is all. Long time man." Hoon shrugs.

"Heh, it's been a long time indeed. Anyways. What are you guys doing on the floor? What have I walked into?" Chala asks as he notices the odd sight of the band sitting on the floor, in a circle.

"We just decided with each other not to go home for the break. We were about to talk about writing new songs." Jenna answers for the group. 

"Oh? Okay. Anyways. I'm here to give you guys something." Chala says as he joins them in their circle, passing the folders he is carrying to the respective recipients, he intended them for.

"What's this?" The band ask as they receive the folders but Chala simply lets them figure the matter.

"Internship?"

"Whoa…"

"Dude… three months internship!" The group realize the purpose of the folders and they are more than happy as they discuss the job offers they got with each other. Payew takes this time to quietly slip out of the studio.

After a minute or two, the band finally calms down.

"Is this why Tayaw asked for our transcripts?" Hoon asks Chala in realization.

"Yeah. Tayaw told me you were all in the dean's list and he didn't want to waste your great performance at school. So that leads to those folders in your hands." Chala says.

"Man. Tayaw knows people, huh? Internsh.i.p.s for civil engineering majors are … almost unheard of." Ramil says.

"But… Huh… this makes me feel guilty." Bay-an remarks, getting the attention of the group.

"Why?" Chala asks.

"I mean… NIE is the best engineering school in Ouigab… Do I really deserve this? Like Ramil said, It's already rare for students our major to get internsh.i.p.s, but me getting one, without an interview even … I don't know what I feel about this." Bay-an says, killing the excitement of the band.

"This…" Jenna especially is immediately infected by Bay-an's inferiority.

Chala almost slaps Bay-an and his inferiority complex. 

"Hey. Students from NIE just got in there with their performance using their high school credentials and entrance exams. After they made it in, all they have to do is to meet the minimum grade requirement to stay there. You guys are probably working harder than them and have higher grades than most of them. Do you think you still don't deserve this opportunity?" Chala says, trying to save the mood. 

"…That's true… I have something to say, guys." Ike says, getting the attention away from Bay-an.

"Before I even started college, my parents assured me a job in my uncle's company as long as I finish my degree. At first, I was happy. But as I really worked hard to achieve good grades, I realized how unfair it is to get a job that others might deserve… This though?" Ike raises his folder.

"I feel like I deserve this job. I've worked hard to be on the dean's list. You, Bay-an deserve yours too." Ike concludes. This consoles Bay-an and his guilt starting to be chipped away.

"What Ike said is true. You guys truly deserve these. Tayaw himself told me that he only applied on you guys' behalf to make sure that the people in charge of hiring in these companies will not overlook you guys. Ultimately, it was these companies that saw you guys' value and made the decisions to hire you kids." Chala adds.

This assures the band, except for Ramil.

"Hey. Are you sure Tayaw didn't pay this company for our jobs? He's rich enough. And… Look. All of us is hired in the same company." Ramil, asks for certainty.

"He didn't. You guys are actually accepted in two other companies. But only this company has enough vacancies to accommodate you six. Ike, even though you don't have the same major as them, the construction company still have needs for you in their heavy equipment department." Chala explains.

He did NOT however tell them that the company that hired the band is the same company that constructed Tayaw's film studio and the basic infrastructure in Tayaw's Nasiri Hill property, as it might cut away at the kids' trust and confidence.

"Hey. At last. I thought I was gonna intern alone too." Ike says.

"Heh." The rest of the band is amused and feel sorry at the same time. Ike after all, unlike them who study together, had to study solo in his major subjects, and now they are glad that he can finally be with them at something outside of the band.

"While this offer is great, and might be a huge opportunity … what are we supposed to do as interns?" Inson asks suddenly.

This makes the band enter a reflective silence once again. Chala also is almost stumped until his mind recalls his conversation with Tayaw about the matter. 

"Tayaw said that the company that hired you kids, are one of the companies that was contracted by the government last year." Chala begins.

"I don't know exactly what you guys are going to do, but I know that this company is going to work on the government's highway project." Chala explains.

"Oh! It's that one from up north to Nabla, right?" Bay-an asks.

"Yeah. And that's why they have a sudden demand for interns of your major." Chala says.

"I see…" Bay-an nods in understanding. Soon however, the mood still has not changed into a more cheerful one and instead entered an odd one. 

"What's the problem?" Chala notices the odd atmosphere.

"Nothing. It's just, we had our plans about our music." Jenna says.

"Mm. Even though we're busy with gigs, this is important too." Hoon nods.

"Look. This is a rare opportunity… I wanna do it." Ramil says, being the first one with resolve.

"I agree. And. It's not like we still can't gig this break. Look, f*ckin 44 BGC an hour? That's way more than minimum wage. Free lodging too!" Jenna says.

"GUYS…" Inson says, his serious mood getting the band's attention.

"Let's do it. Even though we're gonna earn a little less than what we earn at the bar, this has more weight. I think we can use this to get field experience units that might be useful once we get to our senior year.

"Not only that. A highway project will take years. If we do a greater job more than they expected, they might want to hire us again for another internship. And after we graduate, maybe we can even get a long-term job there." Inson says.

The group was not expecting that the member who was so excited to start making music again, easily lets go of his passion for a more practical opportunity. With Inson's words however, they now understand that the internship offer in their hands is not as simple as it looks, their folders suddenly becoming heavier. It is no longer just a temporary job, but a huge door to a future, stable one. 

"Hmm. Also, after you've all adjusted in your jobs, I think you can spare the time again to practice for gigs.." Chala says, making the group excited once again.