A classic narrative that explores friendship, drugs, love, and the exacting price of fame
The excesses of stardom. The Rock N’ Roll lifestyle. A winding and treacherous path. Perfect Cadence charts the meteoric rise to the top of Gunnar and Shep, two Nebraskans who relocated to Los Angeles to break into the music business.
Gunnar Erickson is crestfallen by the loss of his job at the restaurant. The loss of income means a lot, but it’s the lack of band openings that has him questioning the wisdom of his move most.
While Gunnar is skeptical of his future in Los Angeles, his best friend Shep believes their big break is not too far away and that the opportunity to make music with the right band is approaching. While Gunnar soon finds another job, the first few auditions turn out to be unproductive. Gunnar possesses a voice that is sonorous and the envy of many, while Shep is a skilled guitar player.
When the boys’ audition goes well with the band Mississippi Delta, the future starts to look up. They play a few successful shows and even record an album with the band. However, sluggish sales of the album leads to the band’s label dropping them and the abrupt resignation of their manager.
Gunnar and Shep find themselves at a crossroads when the founding members dissolve the band. But a new opportunity arises from manager Vince Valentino who sees potential with Gunnar and Shep and introduces them to bassist Shawn and drummer Greg. The authenticity of a band’s origin story is credibly highlighted in the birth of Authentic Cadence.
The band’s success hinges on their ability to record an album with enough resonant tunes that will sell and tour relentlessly in support of that album. The band’s new manager, Vince, is a stern taskmaster who books Authentic Cadence on sprawling tours that are often grueling, and Gunnar experiences the thrill of performing yet appreciates the gratitude of returning home after a year-long tour. While his fellow members of the band embrace the limelight, Gunnar is often uncomfortable around the intense devotion of the band’s legion of fans.
While the band continues its ascent up the charts, the presence of drugs begins to have an effect on Shep and it places the band’s future in danger. The use of drugs leads to friction between Gunnar and his best friend, and Vince begins to question Shep’s usefulness to the band. The demons that affect Shep go far beyond the chemicals he’s consuming, and Gunnar’s concern over his friend surpasses the latest recording session or concert. The drama is amplified deftly by the author as the friendship between Gunnar and Shep is tested to its limits.
Perfect Cadence is a compelling, near pitch-perfect story about realizing one’s dreams and experiencing the fickleness of fame and fortune. The friendship between Gunnar and Shep forms the bedrock of the story, as, when the young men realize their stardom, they experience it both differently than they expected and differently from one another.
While Gunnar is the down-to-earth type, Shep is the eternal optimist and perpetual dreamer who encourages Gunnar not to quit even when things are at their bleakest. The members of the band are portrayed in a way that is both distinct and credible, normal but with a penchant for outlandish behavior, loyal brothers who occasionally fight each other.
Author Tamar Anolic has written something genuine that embraces the heart and soul of music and those who create it. This is a book that will rival your favorite episodes of “Behind the Music” for just how fascinating the behind the scenes story can be.
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