Talk to any entrepreneur, the best and worst part of working for yourself is the same thing. Freedom. You make your own schedule. You make your own successes, you make your own failures. And when you’re dependent on 4+ other people to keep the ball rolling, sometimes the roll slows.
After a tough trip to Germany, a lot of the wind in our sails was contributed to everything surrounding the music. The legal, the geographic, the emotional decisions can take it out of you. The mark of The Greats, for those who are not born prodigies in their given fields, is consistent drive, especially through tough or slow times.
So with that in mind, I took to the books. In the touring doldrum, I’ve never been so busy. Back in Colorado to prep for my sister’s wedding, the group discussed a management deal and the opportunity to move to Germany. We even hired a lawyer to help. Then after Megan’s wedding in September, I moved to Vancouver with Maria where as she followed her dream of acting, I spent every waking moment writing music. We made the decision to participate in the Sing Off after a few long discussions. Aaron and Jamal specifically did not want to do it. Their experience in 2011 left a bad taste in their mouths. On the other side, Christopher, Fredo, and I thought it would be a good idea for a group that had hit a lull in touring and could get some great exposure on national TV. Plus it sounded fun to go to LA!
It was difficult to get through the application while in Canada. I had to Skype the producers, fly to DC for a planning meeting, and even take the train to a FedEx just to get them the documents. But we were accepted! This could be a big break for us!
In the midst of the Sing Off talks we received an email from another group named The Exchange. They were claiming the rights to the name. Needless to say we don’t want to change our name, and began to make efforts to see how we could defend ourselves. There are dozens of other bands called The Exchange, and we’d never heard of these other guys. Cue the lawyer and a bunch of phone calls and emails. After the DC planning meeting, I decided to stop in Seattle to meet up with the other group and discuss face to face.
While that situation loomed in the background, we readied for the Sing Off. I got to spend a few weeks with Maria in Vancouver. Gym, wine, Interstellar at the IMAX for my birthday…I was ready for the SingOff, take 2.