Wes had been wanting to start an alternative rock band for years. He had just turned 22 last month and decided that it might as well be now or never. He had been heavily influenced by some bands that his parents listened to while he was growing up such as REM and had even written some of his own songs. He just never seemed to be able to get the right group of people together to work with him. Now that he was 22 he decided he needed to forge ahead and maybe even start playing in clubs by himself. He also decided he needed a change of scene. He felt haltered by the town he grew up in and wanted to see more of the world. Then suddenly one moring he woke up and realized what he needed to do. Wes was going to move to Portland, Oregon and he was going to do it by himself.
He booked a week’s stay in one of the best Portland hotels and brought his best friend Tim with him to check out the city and find himself a place to live. It didn’t take Wes long to find a small apartment he liked and could afford and he put down his deposit. That left the rest of the week for the two of them to hang out and experience the city. They went to Dublin Pub for their Monday night open mic and had a great time. Wes decided that he would be back there and sign up to play once he was in town. The next night they went to The Secret Garden Pub and found out that the performers there actually competed to win a full show at that club. Both Wes and Tim like the place and had a good time so that was one more spot Wes put on his list. He also found a regular songwriter’s night at Artichoke Music and became more certain than ever that he had chosen the right city when he decided or rather instinctively knew he should move to Portland. Tim loved it too and decided he might like to move there as well, but Wes told him he had to wait until Wes was completely settled in and established because he needed to venture out and exist on his own for a while. Tim didn’t have a problem with that as he thought it would make it easier on his own move.