Over time, the video-sharing mobile app TikTok has proven itself to be a hitmaker in its own way. From putting musical theatre songs into the mainstream to revisiting old hits, the app has encouraged people to reinterpret songs and even chart a new direction for careers.
Alabama native Natalie Taylor experienced one such change when her 2015 song, “Surrender,” started garnering more streams on Spotify. Curious about the sudden surge, she soon learned that the song had become viral on TikTok over the course of a few months.
“It’s a whole different ball game from what I was used to,” she said of the app, “I’m not a hundred percent sure how to work it yet, but it’s great. It’s another way to get music out there. I watched so many videos and it’s amazing because I got to see different interpretations of the song,”
The runaway resurgence of “Surrender” proved to be a massive blessing, as it helped her secure a deal with Sony Music. The song also received not just one but two remixed versions courtesy of Danish DJ Martin Jensen and Italian producer Kina, who were able to elevate the emotional beats of the song while still managing to keep all the elements that made it Natalie’s.
“I love the remix,” she gushed, “It was really fun to see a different take on the emotional side. It was cool to get that opportunity to have a new take on the song, and I love it,”
Despite her newfound success, Natalie states that she will not change her approach to music, reasoning that she wants to keep her music “true” to who she is.
“I think I would continue doing my own thing, I try to only release music that I believe in, and that’s who I am as an artist,” she said.
Raised in Alabama and currently based in Tennessee, Natalie “lived and breathed” country music, particularly 90’s country and R&B.
“I guess that’s my main source of influence, but I really listen to everything,” she said.
Inspired by the likes of Lionel Ritchie and Dixie Chicks, Natalie tried her hand at songwriting during her late teens, eventually discovering her talent for penning emotional, heartfelt songs.
“My natural way of writing songs is on the emotional side, but I would love to sing other styles,” she shared, “I’m totally open to that,”
After meeting her husband, former Paramore guitarist Jon Howard, they started doing music together, which put Natalie’s work into the public eye. Pretty soon, she started doing MTV shows and had her work featured on many TV series and films. Her genre-busting sound and heartfelt lyrics were perfect audio backdrops for popular TV series like Jane the Virgin and World of Dance.
With her sudden rise back into the public eye thanks to TikTok, Natalie Taylor says she’s now more inspired to create more music that will resonate more with music especially during rough times like this ongoing pandemic.
“Surrender” and its remix versions by Martin Jensen and Kina are available on all major streaming platforms.