TikTok… Boom!
That’s not a typo. More like a pop culture mixed metaphor.
First let’s discuss Tick, Tick… Boom! — the Netflix biopic about composer, lyricist and playwright Jonathan Larson’s coming of age and how after years of trying to write a successful Broadway Musical he suffered a fatal aneurism the night before the premiere of Rent. He never got to see his show live or hear about what a phenomenon it became. Ugh.
From the looks of the trailer I thought sure it was gonna be total cheese. Au contraire. And I must have listened to “Come To Your Senses” 100 times the next day. Particularly the Jazmine Sullivan version. #Obsessed. I mean — the shape and phrasing of the melody on that hook is insane!
That’s Tick, Tick… Boom! Moving on to TikTok… Three friends sat me down recently (actually we were already sitting), and told me that I should “get on” TikTok. That I’d be so good at it.
What exactly is “good at it?”
I released my first and only album-to-date in concurrence with lockdown 2020 - when everyone thought it was only gonna last for 2 weeks.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunate.
I worked it via livestream from my living room. Over the last 2 years tho, I lost steam for sure and I do not want it take it to TikTok at this moment in time.
“Just talk about what you know,” my friends said. The hit songs you’ve written. How you did it. There are tons of ppl who are dying to know that stuff.
I don’t even know how I did it. I followed my heart. Became immune to rejection. Still am. How do you explain that except to say, make sure to read The Alchemist.
I tried to deny the concept of me + TikTok by putting my age up as a barrier. My friends point out that age is irrelevant — seniors (I’m not quite there yet) are rampant on the platform — sharing a new vision for what it means to live meaningfully with age. Still, I find it obnoxious and time sucking. Although I do like the 😸 videos.
My 20-something singer-songwriter pal Stacey said she didn’t want any part of it either. She said it made her feel self-conscious and inauthentic.
But last night I saw Stacey on TikTok! 😳
I get it. Her career is in front of her. (Me? I’m coasting. I have a choice). But if you want to crack the TikTok code on your new single, it’s the only game. Right now.
Labels are signing straight from the source. Thing is the manipulation of viral footage can be problematic after the signing. A colleague who shall remain nameless (one who’s often tapped to get in the room with these newly signed “artists” — to re-capture that viral pre-signing vibe), reports that often the special manipulated sauce that made the video go viral is ‘un-re-capturable’ and the label is left at a loss as to how to move forward with that “artist.” It doesn’t change their focus, though. It’s all about the virus. I mean the viral. (What’s on my mind?)
Halsey claims her label won't let her release a new song unless she can fake a viral moment on TikTok. Variety notes the irony of Halsey creating that viral TikTok moment claiming that the label will not release the song without a viral TikTok moment. 😳
Love Halsey. But Stacey was right, Inauthentic!
My friend Heidi (I changed her name cuz I know she’s reading this and I’m not judging... just observing the evolution of the music business in the 21st century), told me she has a TikTok coach! WHAT? Serious? Maybe I need a TikTok Coach. A TikTok Nanny is more like it — someone who can hold my hand, aim a ring-light and tell me what to do. Geez… I think I need a Life-Nanny too. I could use some direction.
Listen, I remember when I refused to participate in Facebook. And then boom! I was on it. I felt silly writing that first post (do you remember yours?) but then I got the hang of it. And I became a Pro! I even liked it.
Sigh.
So maybe I’ll grow to love “making TikToks.” My friends think so. I wonder if the Universe is trying to get me to do stuff I’m uncomfortable with because that’s how we grow? Shit. I don’t even want to trade my car in for a newer model cuz the thought of having to “learn” a new dashboard gives me anxiety. I’m fine with my icons right were they are, thank you very much.
What to do? All comments from the peanut gallery are welcome. My mind is open.
I’m a quick study.
But if I do it, I’m gonna need that nanny.
Thanks for reading my weekly musings. If you'd like to subscribe please click here. Listen to my album 2.0 etc…Follow me Insta. Visit my Serial Songwriter Facebook Page. Get a signed CD or a copy of “Confessions of a Serial Songwriter.” ☮️