If you know me at all (or maybe just follow me on Instagram: @evelynmostrom), you know that I'm a design and typography nerd. I can't seem to stop doodling my favorite quotes, poems and lyrics. It's gotten to the point where I can't hand write my class notes anymore, because the second I have a pencil and paper, I start drawing whatever's stuck in my head.
This week, of course, what's stuck in my head is Taylor Swift's new album, '1989,' which rapidly became one of the world's biggest albums in 12 years. I made a lyric edit, posted it on the popular blogging website Tumblr, and forgot about it ' until, of course, Taylor herself reblogged (the Tumblr equivalent of retweeting) it, adding, 'This is cool, I like this,' to my caption.
To say that incredible amounts of fangirling occurred in my apartment would be an understatement. She's huge'one of the biggest music stars in the world' but took the time to personally sit down and look at things fans made. It's genius.
Swift has managed to create an entirely new artist-listener interaction recently. Her first two singles off of '1989' have very publicly called out the media for the reputation she's been given, one that maybe she didn't quite deserve. At the same time, she's connecting with her fans on an all-new level. Before '1989' was released, she hosted 'Secret Sessions' in many cities, where a select few got to hear the album and simply hang out with the now-official pop star. Goofy polaroids were taken with every single person who attended, and Tay effectively took over Tumblr and Instagram with fans who now felt more like friends.
Since then, Swift has moved on to sending some fans Christmas presents full of personalized goodies and handwritten notes'yes, in November, because she's apparently 'lost all her chill.'
Until now, the power of personal interaction has been all but lost in the music industry, with artists maintaining distance even at meet-and-greets (Avril Lavinge, anyone?). Generally, artist's attempts to interact online with their listeners come across as insincere and strained.
Taylor's new approach to making fans feel special' which is also causing those who don't receive the attention to worship her more anyways' is refreshing. Shunning the media and it's portrayal of her and going straight to her fans is one of the best PR moves Swift could have possibly made, and it doesn't even come across as a marketing push.
Well done, Taylor. We can't wait to see what else you've got up your sleeve.
