310-312

Chapter 310: The Nomination Effect 

Whether it was One-Day King or Shining Band, their feelings were the same—both bands were hoping to seize the opportunity that the Grammys offered, to break through in their careers, and to turn that dream into reality on the Grammy stage. 

As a result, while continuing their tour, both bands threw themselves into intensive preparations. Despite their packed schedules, they made time to rehearse—sometimes just one or two songs—because this wasn’t an ordinary performance. It was the Grammys. 

Amid the hustle and bustle, the two bands spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve together on tour. Both holidays were celebrated onstage with over 2,000 fans in the audience, becoming unforgettable moments along the journey. Before they knew it, 2013 had arrived. As the first rays of sunlight touched the Colorado Grand Canyon, the new year began. 

While One-Day King and Shining Band pushed forward on their west coast tour and worked tirelessly on their performances, the Grammy nominations started gaining traction in the public eye. The spotlight on the nominees and their works gradually intensified, drawing the attention of casual listeners and industry insiders alike. 

Especially when it came to the singles. 

Compared to full albums—whether digital or physical—streaming or purchasing a single is far more accessible, both in terms of cost and convenience. Naturally, most people start by listening to the nominated singles to see if they’re interested. 

The first real breakthrough came from Shining Band's “Ho Hey.” 

During the week the Grammy nominations were announced, “Ho Hey” broke into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, debuting at No. 8—a strong showing. And with the Grammy buzz, the single gained even more traction. Just three weeks later, during Christmas week, it reached its peak: 

No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. A historic high. 

It had taken 28 weeks from its initial release to reach that peak, but in doing so, “Ho Hey” made history as a massive success for an indie band, earning them a place in the spotlight. 

And it didn’t stop there. 

The song hovered between No. 3 and No. 4 for a full ten weeks, only dropping to No. 6 after the Grammy Awards aired. Such a strong and sustained chart performance was nothing short of phenomenal—it stunned the entire music industry. 

However, there was a downside: the success of “Ho Hey” didn’t automatically elevate Shining Band to the level of a top-tier act. 

In the second-to-last week of 2012, Shining Band released their second single, “Stubborn Love,” from their debut album. It had been seven months since the release of “Ho Hey,” so it was time for a follow-up. While it also charted—debuting at No. 85, a better starting point than “Ho Hey”—the momentum wasn’t there. 

“Stubborn Love” peaked at No. 70 and stayed on the chart for only 16 weeks before dropping off. Meanwhile, “Ho Hey” was still comfortably sitting in the Top 50. The contrast was stark and a little disheartening. It was clear that “Ho Hey” had been a perfect storm of timing, quality, and Grammy buzz—lightning that might not strike twice. 

Still, Shining Band had firmly planted its first step in the music industry. The road ahead was long, but they were on it. 

At the same time, other Grammy favorites—Fun., The Black Keys, Frank Ocean, and more—were enjoying similar boosts in public attention. Naturally, One-Day King was no exception. 

In fact, compared to Shining Band, One-Day King—the dark horse who stormed onto the scene during the nomination season—was receiving even more attention. As the band with the most Grammy nominations, they became a lightning rod for both curiosity and criticism. While skeptics questioned their worth, the public flocked to hear the songs behind the buzz. 

That scrutiny helped both their singles—“Chasing the Light” and “My Demon”—climb the charts. 

There were plenty of haters throwing mindless insults online, but just as many curious listeners clicked play to judge for themselves. Even if people wanted to mock them, they had to listen first—and that was enough to boost the numbers. 

First up: “Chasing the Light.” 

When “My Demon” was released as the second single, “Chasing the Light” had already made it into the Billboard Top 50. After dipping for a week, it started to climb again—but you could tell its momentum was slowing. 

By the time the Grammy nominations were announced, “Chasing the Light” had inched up to No. 32. Its slow and steady progress earned it the nickname “the snail song” online—stable, but sluggish. 

Then the Grammy nominations changed everything. 

With seven nominations fueling the buzz, the song surged. New listeners poured in, and its hashtag started trending again on Twitter and Facebook. 

The results? No. 29 → No. 24 → No. 20 → No. 16 → No. 12. 

By the time 2013 arrived, “Chasing the Light” was on the verge of breaking into the Top 10. Though it hadn’t soared to No. 3 like “Ho Hey,” its patient climb and never-say-die spirit resonated with fans—especially since, unlike “Ho Hey,” it hadn’t even gotten a TV performance bump yet. 

In the first week of January, the single held steady at No. 12. In the second week, it moved up again: No. 10. 

It had been 18 weeks since its release—a long, steady journey that mirrored the climb of “Ho Hey.” Like that song, “Chasing the Light” was still on the rise. 

In the four weeks that followed: No. 9 → No. 7 → No. 5 → No. 6. 

By the time the Grammy Awards aired, “Chasing the Light” was sitting at No. 6, and just three spots ahead was Shining Band’s “Ho Hey.” 

For two indie bands, finding themselves shoulder to shoulder in the Top 10 was more than just a charting milestone—it was a shared moment of triumph. 

Chapter 311: Rehearsals Ready 

Since the announcement of the 55th Grammy nominations, One Day King has become the biggest winner with a staggering seven nods, drawing massive attention from all corners. 

Just six weeks later, their single Chasing the Light broke into the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 10 for the first time. Buzz around the song reignited on Twitter and Facebook, and fans even began to revisit the One Day King universe, begging the band to release an official music video to expand the lore and see if their theories were actually on point. 

In the second week of February 2013, the Billboard Hot 100 looked like this: 

• At No.1: Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis 

• At No.2: Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars 

• No.3 went to Shout, Hey! by Shiny Band 

• And at No.6, Chasing the Light by One Day King held strong. 

Big names filled the rest of the Top 10—Justin Timberlake’s Suit & Tie at No.4, Taylor Swift’s I Knew You Were Trouble at No.5, and Britney Spears’ Scream & Shout at No.7, to name a few. 

What made this moment even more exciting was that two indie bands had broken into the Top 10—a rare sight. And they weren’t alone. 

Widen the view to the Top 20, and you’d also spot Imagine Dragons and Fun., both still charting strong. One Day King also had a second single climbing fast: My Demon. 

If Chasing the Light was a slow-burn success boosted by Grammy buzz, then My Demon exploded like a rocket. From their encore in Washington D.C. to Grammy nominations, it grabbed attention right out of the gate. 

In its debut week, My Demon entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No.89. The following week, it crept up to No.77. Critics feared the band’s momentum might split between two singles, hurting both. That didn’t happen. 

Unlike Shiny Band’s underwhelming second single, Stubborn Love, One Day King saw My Demon soar. 

Then the Grammy nominations dropped. 

With nods for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance, My Demon was instantly thrust into the spotlight—outshining chart-topping juggernauts like Youthful Days, Maybe Call Me, and The Most Familiar Stranger. 

People started asking: What is this legendary song? 

After all, how could a song sitting outside the Top 50 repeat Norah Jones’ miraculous Grammy sweep? 

All eyes turned to My Demon. 

From No.77 to No.63, then No.50, No.33, No.25, and No.18… For five straight weeks, the single soared. By the first week of January 2013—just seven weeks after its release—it had already reached the Top 20. The momentum was jaw-dropping. 

Given their modest fan base and limited mainstream exposure, One Day King’s chart performance was nothing short of a miracle. The single had become a bright highlight on the Billboard charts. 

After entering the Top 20, the song’s momentum began to level out, but it still held its ground. By the time the Grammy Awards rolled around in February, it had reached No.13. The question now was: Could it break into the Top 10? 

Could One Day King actually pull off the rare and difficult feat of having two singles in the Top 10 at the same time? 

That’s incredibly tough—even for superstars—since having two hits can split votes and streaming counts, causing both to drop. Beyond talent and fan support, it also takes a bit of luck. 

Still, One Day King was getting closer. 

But with My Demon stuck at No.13 and Chasing the Light slipping a spot the same week as the Grammys, the window might be closing. Could the band hold on? Or would they miss their shot by inches? 

That’s where the Grammys come in. 

Sometimes, the difference between making history and missing it comes down to one performance. And for One Day King, all they could do now was focus on their stage. 

With just one week to go before the Grammy Awards, One Day King and Shiny Band both arrived in Los Angeles. Their joint tour was temporarily paused so they could dive headfirst into Grammy rehearsals—preparing for the biggest stage of their lives. 

Ironically, the band had planned to wrap their bar tour and return home to L.A. last June. 

Then in August, their road tour reached Las Vegas—just a final stretch away from home. 

But twice, their “homecoming” was interrupted. They wandered North America, postponing their return again and again. Now, as January 2013 came to a close, they were finally back in L.A. 

Except this time, home wasn’t the destination—it was just the backdrop. Work was the mission. 

They didn’t even have time to unpack. 

Straight off the plane, One Day King headed to the Grammy venue. Because let’s face it, when you’re not a headliner, you don’t get to pick the schedule. Superstars’ calendars don’t bend—yours has to. 

So here they were: road-weary, jet-lagged, still carrying bags, and yet already marching into rehearsal. 

This was their first on-site prep. 

The Grammys were calling—and One Day King was ready to answer. 

Chapter 312: Dreams Come True 

Qiqi's Cat House 

By the time they arrived at the venue, the morning sun had already turned a bright orange, painting the eastern sky. The entire city still seemed half-asleep. 

The strong ocean breeze blowing in from above the Pacific forced them to pull their jackets tighter for warmth. Even in the city of eternal spring—Los Angeles—a hint of winter's chill was in the air. As they stepped out of the vehicle, fierce gusts of wind made it hard to stand steady, and their bodies swayed involuntarily. 

"Feels nostalgic." 

But for the members of One Day King, they had long become used to this in-between state of dreaming and waking—this was Los Angeles, after all. 

Over the past seven years, they had watched countless sunrises and sunsets in this city. They had trudged down its streets in the dead of night more times than they could count. Now, returning after a full year, the dry desert air hit their skin with a sense of familiarity. It wasn't discomforting—instead, it felt so welcoming that a smile naturally curled at their lips. 

Ronin, however, was probably the only exception. 

Yes, it was familiar—undeniably so. After all, this was Ronin Cooper’s home. Every inch of his skin could sense the familiarity of the city. 

But for Ronin, it also felt strangely foreign. Unlike other cities he had visited for the first time, where everything was new and fresh, Los Angeles gave him an eerie sense of déjà vu. The sights, the temperature—everything felt like a dream, drifting between mirage and memory. 

It was a surreal experience, one that filled his eyes with both nostalgia and curiosity. Alice and Ollie picked up on the subtle shift in Ronin’s mood, but they didn’t overthink it. They assumed, naturally, that he was just feeling emotional—after all, they were, too. They had planned to return home as early as June last year, but plans kept getting delayed. Now, they were finally back—but for the Grammys. 

It all felt magical, dreamy, almost unreal. 

Each of them was lost in their thoughts. 

“We’re here.” 

Cliff’s voice called out from the front. Ollie’s excitement surged—he bumped shoulders with Ronin and grinned. 

“Remember when we used to drive by here? We’d imagine ourselves performing on that stage… a sold-out crowd, tickets impossible to get...” 

He trailed off, his mind lost in the vision he’d just described. 

Ronin reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the towering palm trees and rolling horizon. Straight ahead, he could see a corner of the Staples Center peeking into view. 

As the home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, the Staples Center drew immense attention year after year. It was a shrine for basketball fans. But beyond the game, it was also one of L.A.’s most prestigious concert venues—on par with Madison Square Garden in New York. 

In terms of seating, both venues only held about 20,000 people, far fewer than massive football stadiums that could host upwards of 100,000. But what made Staples and Madison Square Garden special was their location—right in the heart of their cities, woven into daily life. That made performances more accessible, more frequent, and far more meaningful. 

These 20,000-seat venues were considered medium-sized, and not just any artist could fill them. Not even someone like Bruno Mars had that pull in his early days—let alone One Day King. Any performer who could headline these venues had undeniably earned major market recognition. 

Even more significant, both arenas were steeped in history. Madison Square Garden had hosted the legendary “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The Staples Center was where Michael Jackson kicked off what would have been his comeback world tour. 

And that’s not even mentioning the countless classic moments from the NBA, NHL, and other top-tier events. 

Each iconic event added another layer to the venues’ legacy, turning them into more than just buildings—they became symbols. 

Over time, Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center came to represent the pinnacle of live performance venues in North America. Their schedules were packed year-round. Booking a show required six months to a year of advanced planning. And even then, not every artist got the chance. 

For any performer, appearing at either venue was like a classical musician performing at Carnegie Hall—an industry stamp of approval and a testament to their star power. 

Naturally, these stages became the dream of countless musicians. 

For One Day King, this dream seemed far out of reach… until now. 

Luckily, ever since the 2000s, all Grammy Awards—except the 45th, held at Madison Square Garden—had taken place at the Staples Center. 

And this year, One Day King had finally earned the golden opportunity to perform there. 

As they stood watching the Staples Center basking in the morning light, its silhouette partly cloaked in shadow, the sheer scale of it loomed like a giant. It demanded reverence—so much so that they instinctively slowed their steps. 

“Are we really going to perform here?” 

Cliff’s voice held a hint of disbelief. The moment was becoming real. That excitement also brought pressure—the tension in their shoulders said it all. The dream they had imagined again and again… was it truly about to come true? 

Maxim and Ollie said nothing. They simply stared up at the Staples Center—eager, but clearly a little intimidated. 

Ronin was no different. 

In the silence, their emotions drifted between light and shadow, gradually swelling until a surge of ambition ignited in Ronin’s chest, powerful and unstoppable. 

Climb the mountain! Sail the seas! Reach for the stars! It’s the challenge and uncertainty that make the journey worthwhile—don’t you think? 

“This is just the beginning,” Ronin said softly. 

Maybe he was responding to Cliff, or maybe he was just speaking to himself. But his eyes were shining now—glowing brighter and brighter, reflecting the first light of dawn.