Negotiation

The tour carried on, taking more from Ozean Horizon than it was giving. As the dog days of July rolled on, their motivation and energy levels became harder to maintain. Despite her initial concerns, Kiia was letting me spoil her every night.

Between a steady supply of sports drinks, popsicles, full body massages, being carried, and affirmations while she napped in the dressing room, she was holding up significantly better than the other members of her band. I expected them to object to it, but despite their fatigue, they knew the spotlight on her was much brighter, and the weight she carried was much heavier.

I could tell she felt bad that wasn’t providing me with anything besides her company and quick kisses throughout the long days, but she knew that bringing it up would be a waste of time and energy.

As we approached the show in Dallas in August toward the end of the tour, the media at large had calmed down significantly. This tour had grossed hundreds of millions of dollars, and Kiia and I were everywhere, but after eight weeks, there just weren’t any new headlines left to run.

The world had already seen millions of social media posts and pictures of Kiia and I together. We got asked the same questions about our relationship at every media stop, and gave them the same answers. That side of the job was getting easier for everyone involved.

Sitting in the dressing room before Dallas, we got a surprise visit from Borgen.

“Hey, Kiia, Cy, can I have a moment in private to talk business with you two?” He said, immediately drawing some awful looks from the rest of OH.

“Sure,” I said, rising from my chair.

Kiia didn’t say anything, but based on how she grabbed my hand, I was concerned. I’d never felt her tremble before.

As we stepped into a corporate suite, Borgen and his lawyer sat across from us at a table.

“So, this tour has been an overwhelming success, and I appreciate everything you two have done for us both on stage and in the press.”

We both sat in silence, waiting for him to get to the point.

“So, we’ve already confirmed that Cy’s new EP is releasing in September, and that Ozean Horizon will be in the studio with a new album scheduled for a March release, ahead of your next touring cycle, Kiia.”

I could tell he was getting frustrated as his volume was increasing. It didn’t help that I was genuinely uninterested in anything he had to say.

“For next year, I’d like to have OH do another North American arena run in the spring, a European run in the summer, with all of the major festivals, and a short fall tour in Japan…for Cy, I’d like to see a winter, spring, and summer headlining tour. Arenas in the winter and stadiums in the spring and summer.” His voice was delighted, dreaming of all the money he was going to make.

“No,” I said without any hesitation.

“What do you mean, no?” he asked.

“I won’t tour anymore without specific conditions,” I said, bluntly, my demeanor still uninterested.

“That’s preposterous,” he replied laughing.

“Well, as you know, touring contracts aren’t technically at the discretion of the label. My recording deal with Twilight Reverie runs through the end of this year, and my employee contract runs through 2027, alongside OH’s deal.” I said, as plainly as possible.

“Yes, all of that is correct,” his lawyer intervened.

“So, I refuse to do a tour that doesn’t feature Kiia Salo for every date that I play.”

My request sat between us for what felt like an eternity. Borgen didn’t like to negotiate, but for once, I had the leverage.

“That’s unheard of and you know that, Cy.” Borgen pushed back.

“Maybe, but there’s a simple solution: I won’t tour as often,” I was certain he was going to have a stroke. “At this point in my career, I can sell out anywhere, and every record label knows that. If I’m not enjoying touring by myself, I’m not going to do it, and I have no issue moving on to another record label if you’re not willing to agree to my terms.”

Borgen was angry.

“I made you what you–” his lawyer cut him off before he continued speaking.

“Cy, we will seriously consider your demands, knowing the value you bring to the record label. If this is the route you would like to go, I look forward to negotiating a new contract with you after the tour. Obviously, if your touring is less frequent and profitable for the label, would you be willing to make some concessions?”

The man seldom spoke, but he was talented to say the least.

“Yeah, if you’re willing to accommodate my tour scheduling requests, then I am aware that I will need to make a modest sacrifice on my splits.”

The Cy issue was settled, but it still left Kiia’s dates for the upcoming year.

“I appreciate the schedule, but I would need to look at it in more detail, Mr. Borgen. Cy did such a great job with the team on this tour, that I want to review with both him and legal that the planned schedule is in the best interest of both the band and the record label,” she said, playing with her hair to distract from her nerves.

“I assure you that a lot of research was done on this,” he pushed back.

“Yeah, but we haven’t played Europe since before the pandemic, and we also need to figure out which tours Cy is supporting us on…obviously, that wasn’t in the plans when the venues were tentatively picked, so we might need more seats for demand,” She continued, speaking entirely in facts.

Borgen’s lawyer intervened once again.

“Yes, Kiia, that is a good observation. After this tour, and following our negotiations with Cy, we’ll need to determine which tours he will join you for, but based on this conversation, I suspect he’ll join you for Europe and Japan.”

After almost fifteen years working with the guy, he did know my tendencies pretty well.

“Alright, if there’s nothing else to discuss, I appreciate you two for your time before your biggest show of the tour.”

“Thank you, there will be nothing else,” I said, standing up to leave.

Borgen was irritated. I figured he’d get over this eventually. He survived my hiatus where he was only making money on royalties from my recordings, so getting even thirty shows a year was more lucrative than that.

“Thank you, and I look forward to figuring out the touring schedule at a later date,” Kiia said, following me out of the suite.

***

“Wow,” she said, once we got closer to the dressing room. “I hated every second of that.”

“Yeah,” I said, pulling her closer, hugging her from behind. “Technically, your manager and I are supposed to handle that for you, but he had other ideas.”

“Is that right?” she asked, still breathing heavily from the stress.

“I’m surprised how poorly he read this situation,” I paused, collecting myself. “He knew I only agreed to tour because you were involved, and he authorized my EP release without actually hearing it… I’m only functioning because of the autonomy I have…once that’s gone, there’s no reason for me to be doing any of this.”

Kiia laughed, almost toppling both of us over.

“That’s funny. That’s why we stayed as an independent band for so long. Sure it wasn’t easy, but we had that freedom all the time…I don’t mind having our tours planned out for us now, though.”

She looked up at me, and we shared a more passionate kiss than we should have for such an open space.

“I guess I’m not as bothered by it because I have you at every show,” she said. “If you weren’t here, I’m not sure if I would be enjoying this so much.”

That was the crux of it.