Trying - Part II

So, all of day one happened on a Friday, as I related. However, it was not a normal Friday, as Gordon and I were on our way to NYC to keep recording our album. And so Gordon became my de facto chauffeur on the ride down as I booked a plane, arranged to stay with my friend Bad Ass Billy Watterson, talked to Ladybetrothed Sarah, informed work that I wouldn't be in until the following Thursday, called Tim to tell him I was coming and then generally just pooped my pants with nerves.

Anyway, after much finagling we arrived in NYC and I called Tim again. You see, I hadn't been able to reach him on the phone earlier and I wanted to get the details of the audition down. This time he picked up:

Me: Tim, I'm psyched to come out. What songs in particular do you want me to know. I've worked through most of the new record so I'm cool with whatever (I'm a sycophantic piece of crap)

Tim: Cool. I'm glad you're coming out. You should learn these songs - (runs off four tunes)

Me: Cool. I'll have them down.

Time: Great. Also, do you play keys?

Me: Um....

My Brain: Hey asshole, the correct answer to this question is yes.

My Brain 2: But we don't know the first thing about playing keyboards.

My Brain: So what? He's obviously asking because they need a keyboardist too.

My Brain 2: But I'll never be able to learn the parts!

My Brain: Shut up, you goddamn pussy! Do you want this or not?

Tim: Um, Joe? You there.

Me: Oh, yeah, sorry.

Tim: So, do you play keys?

Me: Absolutely.

Tim (paraphrased): OK, learn the insanely complicated organ solo on this song and the weird Jamaican offbeat thing on this one.

Me: No problem.

Brain 2: Problem. Big fucking problem.

So there I was in NYC, with two and a half days to learn OKGo's songs on guitar, learn to play keyboards at a professional level, learn OKGo's songs on the keyboard and, oh yeah, record guitar for about ten hours a day.

Tomorrow - Trying, Part III