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“The acoustic arrangement of ‘Fading Ink’ is trending on TikTok,” Hendrix adds. “Kids are trying to recreate it with their own bands.”
“Four different music blogs called it ‘the return of authentic rock,’” Wynonna says, scrolling through her phone. “Rolling Stone wants to interview us about the creative process.”
Dana opens her laptop, presses a few buttons and then Elle appears with her phone pressed to her ear, gesturing for us to wait.
“No, absolutely not,” she’s saying into the phone. “My artists don’t do reality shows. Try again.” She hangs up and immediately focuses on us. “Okay, here’s where we stand. The acoustic show has over ten million views across all platforms. Every major music publication wants interviews. Three labels are courting Plum specifically because of last night’s performance.”
“That’s incredible,” Priscilla says, looking dazed.
“It gets better,” Elle continues, typing on her phone. “Billboard wants to do a feature on the creative collaboration between the bands. Rolling Stone wants a joint interview about the acoustic performance and your relationship. And—this is thebig one—Saturday Night Live wants you both as musical guests next month.”
The table goes silent. SNL is the holy grail for musicians—the kind of exposure that can launch careers into the stratosphere.
“Are you serious?” Justine asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Dead serious. They want to recreate the acoustic intimacy of last night’s show, but for thirty million viewers.” Elle’s grin is infectious. “This is what we’ve been working toward. Both bands, top of the industry.”
Dana leans back in her chair, shaking her head in amazement. “A year ago we were playing small venues.”
“Six months ago, we were tagging along,” Wynonna adds, looking at her bandmates. “Now we’re being courted by major labels because of one night?”
“One perfect night,” Keane corrects. “That performance . . . you could feel the magic even through a phone screen. It was authentic in a way that’s rare in this business.”
“Which brings us to the important part,” Elle says, her tone shifting to business. “How do we handle the media attention around your relationship? Because like it or not, you two are now a package deal in the public eye.”
I look at Justine, and she meets my gaze with steady confidence. Gone is any uncertainty from earlier in the tour. We know what we want, and we’re not apologizing for it.
“Well, we don’t hide it,” I say simply. “We’re professionals first, but we’re also together. Anyone who has a problem with that can deal with it.”
“Agreed,” Justine adds. “We’re not going to pretend we’re just friends or make up some story about keeping things professional. This is who we are now.”
Elle nods approvingly. “Good. Authenticity sells, and you two have it in spades. The acoustic show proved that. Now we just need to be strategic about how much access we give.”
“But . . .” I look at my sister. “Someone out front asked about Nola. I don’t know whether I should make a statement or what.”
“What for?” Dana asks. “She hasn’t been seen on tour so it’s not like people are missing her. It was probably some QuinLa Stan.”
“QuinLa?” I raise my eyebrow at Dana.
She shrugs. “I figured since you wanted your niece named QuinnElla, you were into the couple names.”
“Like us,” Hendrix says from across the table. He blows a kiss at Dana. “Henda.”
Everyone at the table busts out laughing. Except for Dana. She glares at Hendrix. “No one, and I do mean no one ever called us Henda.”
“I did,” he says with a shrug and picks up his glass of water, taking a sip.
“Anyway,” Elle says, bringing the conversation back to her. “I think unless media outlets start posting about Nola, we’ll just keep the status quo. If things change, I’ll make a public post that you amicably ended your relationship before the tour, blah, blah, blah.”
“I particularly like the blah, blah, blah, part,” I tell her.
The conversation flows from there—tour logistics, interview schedules, the SNL appearance, which won’t happen until the tour is over. But underneath it all, I’m acutely aware of Justine’s presence beside me. The way she participates in the business discussions with sharp insight and the way she handles the attention with grace.
“There’s one more thing,” Elle says as dinner winds down. “The acoustic show has inspired something else. I’ve been getting calls from venues wanting to book ‘intimate acousticexperiences.’ Smaller arenas, stripped-down shows, the whole aesthetic from last night.”
“You mean more shows like that?” Hendrix asks.
“I mean a whole tour concept. Acoustic tours are usually for legacy artists looking to prove their songwriting chops, but you’ve created something new. Rock bands in their prime choosing intimacy over spectacle.”