27 Lumineer

"...I just came here to ask, are you interested?"

Jeremiah's gaze once again fixed on Ronan, brimming with anticipation. His enthusiasm radiated even without a smile.

However, before Ronan could respond, Maxim's voice cut in abruptly from the side. "Jeremiah, our captain is Cliff. He should be the one to decide on these matters."

Ronan was slightly taken aback, and his initial thought was: The band actually has a captain? The second thought followed closely: Isn't the lead singer usually the captain?

Before he could find answers, Ollie chimed in, diverting Ronan's attention. "If Ronan were in charge, our band would've fallen apart long ago."

Ronan felt like his back had turned into a pincushion, with imaginary arrows sticking out everywhere. "Hey! Do I look that incompetent?"

The words spilled out before Ronan realized it. He was gradually settling into the situation, becoming accustomed to this new identity and context.

Although he didn't understand why "Ronan Cooper" was disliked, he couldn't help but bristle. He playfully ran his fingers through his hair, clenched his fist, and jokingly raised it towards Ollie.

Wide-eyed!

"Hahahahaha."

Facing Ronan's "anger," Ollie burst into raucous laughter, rolling with mirth. His unrestrained laughter seemed to send shockwaves through the air, vibrating eardrums and creating echoes that lingered like a superhero's superpower from a comic book.

Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, Jeremiah maintained his composed demeanor. A faint smile still tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I understand, completely. Our lead singer is Wesley, but the captain's duties fell to me. Whenever something like this happens, either I step in, and they're baffled as to why a drummer is handling it, or they go straight to Wesley, who doesn't pay it much mind."

Jeremiah conveyed this to Cliff, wearing an expression tinged with a touch of helplessness—not because of the confusion regarding roles but more because of the humdrum nature of the captain's responsibilities.

In reality, the captain's role didn't involve leadership but rather shouldered the burden of mundane chores and hard work.

However, Maxim misinterpreted Jeremiah's intent. He assumed that Jeremiah focused on Ronan because of the captivating performance Ronan had delivered—the real essence of music.

That was the reason Jeremiah extended the invitation. In the end, the appeal of a performance was the key factor.

Jeremiah didn't correct Maxim, instead turning his attention back to Cliff. "So, are you interested in the full moon party?"

Cliff's emotions surged beneath the surface, his internal thoughts akin to bubbling magma. Yet, he made an effort to maintain a composed exterior.

"Of course, it would be an honor for our band to participate in the Full Moon Party's carnival. However, we missed the registration deadline, as you mentioned..."

"Missed the registration deadline," he chose this tactful phrase. But the true reason was that Tristan hadn't registered them at all. Perhaps Tristan's "abandonment" had begun sooner than expected.

Cliff didn't complete his sentence. Jeremiah, attuned to the unspoken truth, smoothly continued, "Our band is more than willing to provide you with a recommendation. We hope to see a diverse range of styles and performances at the full moon party. It's sure to be a remarkable event."

That wasn't all. Jeremiah understood the underlying meaning behind Cliff's words and offered more information.

"Our band, consisting of five friends, is called The Lumineers. We were fortunate enough to release our debut album three months ago."

"But it hasn't created much buzz yet, and we're currently on a road tour across North America. We've been in New Orleans for two weeks now."

Cliff, who had been seeking specific details, finally got the information he needed: the identity of the band that could recommend other acts to the Full Moon Party stage.

Otherwise, the unanticipated kindness from strangers could easily arouse suspicion. In this day and age, it was no longer the norm to praise and appreciate strangers who extended unexpected kindness.

Jeremiah responded empathetically to Cliff's question.

"'Ho, Hey (Ho, Hey)'?"

Ronan blurted out the song's title, surprise flickering in his eyes.

Jeremiah turned to Ronan once more, his smile genuine. "It seems that our band's road tour has made some progress."

The Lumineers, founded in 2005, initially comprised Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz. They embarked on their journey in New Jersey, toiled in New York, and finally found their breakthrough in Denver, Colorado, when cellist Neyla Pekarek joined as the third member.

In 2011, the band members recorded their first demo of the single "Ho, Hey" in a small apartment, which unexpectedly caught the attention of two music managers.

These managers generously financed the recording of an album and subsequently promoted it through underground performances and tours.

By the end of the last year, the TV series "Southern Love (南国恋医)" had chosen "Ho, Hey" as the theme song for its second season, propelling the band to new heights. This success led to their discovery by a record label, finally allowing them to release their album in April of the following year.

However, Ronan knew about The Lumineers not because of "Southern Love" but due to his memories from a previous life.

The Lumineers' debut album was a true example of "a good product doesn't need advertising." It was quietly released and gradually gained recognition and recommendations.

The album received widespread acclaim and critical acclaim, reaching second place on the Billboard Albums chart and earning the band two Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Americana Album.

Personally, Ronan was a big fan of this band.

The Lumineers were a folk-rock group known for their ability to play various instruments, including mandolin, cello, piano, ukulele, and more. Their music arrangements and lyrics were rich with life's wisdom.

It was worth mentioning that prior to recording their album, the original members of The Lumineers, Jeremiah and Wesley, had performed in various entertainment venues as resident singers for a decade, from 2001 to 2011. Their struggles, perseverance, and pursuit of their dreams in solitude and darkness were a testament to their dedication.

Ronan never imagined that he would meet Jeremiah of The Lumineers in person today.