Do you think of social media when you think of Classical music? Probably not – but this week’s podcast guest should change that! Episode #16 of the Wild Business Growth podcast is HERE and features ThatViolaKid, who’s championing Classical music in the social media era after graduating from the prestigious Juilliard School! Presented by Hippo Direct. Listen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and your other favorite audio platforms – subscribe and leave a 5-star review if you love music!
What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?
Hear how entrepreneurs & innovators unleash creativity to grow bigger and better businesses. Hear from an exciting new guest every single week who’s turning wild ideas into wild growth. Guests include startup founders, product inventors, social media influencers, and much more. Hosted by our digital marketing dude Max Branstetter – that’s me!
Episode #16: ThatViolaKid – Championing Classical Music in the Social Media Era
ThatViolaKid, the Violist, Rapper, and Social Media Superstar joins the show to share how he’s championing Classical music in the digital world after graduating from the historic Juilliard School. ThatViolaKid reached out to me on Instagram after I left a comment on one of DRock’s networking posts. When I looked at his profile and YouTube videos, I was absolutely blown away! ThatViolaKid is a super talented, authentic, inspiring, and friendly person who is on a disruptive mission with ambitious goals. This episode covers everything from how he plans to become the Neil deGrasse Tyson of Music to how to stay creative with your social media content. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:
- Why the arts are so important in our society today
- What’s involved in the Juilliard application process and how to transition from Juilliard to the real world
- Why Twitch and eSports are such growing giants in the entertainment industry
- ThatViolaKid’s experience recording with the late Mac Miller
- How to get verified on Instagram
- The importance of storytelling
- How to grow your social media following on any platform
- What Modern Day Renaissance Man ThatViolaKid idolizes
Connect with @ThatViolaKid on Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, and ThatViolaKid.com and check out his debut single “Duality” on Spotify.
Enjoy the show and feel the music! Check out the show notes below for much more detail.
Show Notes
- Intro
- [0:39] ThatViolaKid website, Instagram, and YouTube
- [0:56] The Juilliard School
- [2:32] Drock Instagram networking post
- [2:59] Neil deGrasse Tyson
- [3:34] ThatViolaKid’s background
- [4:00] Why the arts are so important in our society today
- [4:18] Uber, McDonald’s, Walmart
- [5:08] How old ThatViolaKid was when he started playing the viola
- [5:37] Mercer University, Robert McDuffie Center for Strings
- [6:29] Why ThatViolaKid got into social media
- [6:43] Why he moved to LA
- [7:27] What’s involved in the Juilliard application process
- [7:38] What percent of applicants does Juilliard accept
- [8:09] Concerto
- [8:15] Sonata
- [8:20] Bach Cello Suite
- [8:37] Contemporary, Avant-garde
- [9:38] What is the Juilliard audition like
- [10:06] Juilliard Acceptance Status
- [11:00] Where ThatViolaKid’s originally from
- [11:15] Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
- [11:26] Panda Express
- [11:39] Rewarding memories from attending Juilliard
- [13:00] Why watching others solve their problems can be valuable
- [13:57] Master class
- Transition from Juilliard to the Real World
- [14:28] How ThatViolaKid made the transition from Juilliard to the real world
- [15:00] Postmodern Jukebox
- [15:36] Logan Evan Thomas
- [16:01] What people care about in Pop music
- [17:10] Hyundai Sonata
- [18:14] I played the violin from 4th grade to 7th grade
- [18:30] What other instruments I play
- [19:17] When ThatViolaKid realized he was good enough to put music out
- [20:09] Vibrato
- [20:18] Law of Diminishing Returns
- [20:31] How to not be crippled by perfectionism
- [20:59] ThatViolaKid’s single “Duality“
- [21:46] His dating app experience that inspired him to start his YouTube channel
- Championing Classical Music in the Social Media World
- [24:45] When ThatViolaKid decided Classical music would be his platform
- [24:56] #PlayHomiePlay
- [25:20] eSports
- [25:37] Twitch
- [26:35] The GaryVee Content Strategy including pillar piece of content
- [27:25] Working with Mac Miller
- [28:15] Cardi B, Drake
- [28:33] Mac Miller: Celebration of Life at the Greek Theatre
- [28:47] Anderson .Paak
- [29:02] Swimming by Mac Miller
- [29:30] Mac Miller Tiny Desk concert
- [29:45] The Divine Feminine by Mac Miller
- [30:28] Mac Miller Instagram from the studio
- [31:04] ThatViolaKid’s time on a cruise contract
- [31:21] “2009” by Mac Miller
- [31:42] How ThatViolaKid got connected with Mac Miller
- [31:51] Jahaan Sweet, Scorpion by Drake, Kehlani, WondaGurl, 40
- [32:21] Aja Grant
- [32:39] Why it’s about who you know
- [33:30] Bringing together all different types of people and musicians
- [33:50] Why everything falls together easily when you have a collaborative mindset
- [34:52] Why everybody is an expert in something you don’t know
- [35:27] Albert Chang, SleightlyMusical
- [35:33] “Shape of You” Cover by SleightlyMusical ft. ThatViolaKid
- [36:08] Why you need to let ideas flow
- Unleashing Creativity
- [37:13] What ThatViolaKid does to stay creative
- [37:41] Why it’s important to consume other people’s content
- [37:58] Netflix
- [38:21] Game of Thrones
- [38:36] Why we’re in an opinion-driven society
- [38:58] Black Mirror
- [39:21] China points system
- [40:09] What it’s like being verified on Instagram
- [40:50] Nike
- [41:00] How to get verified on Instagram
- [41:54] ThatViolaKid’s favorite YouTube channels
- [42:03] Liza Koshy
- [42:31] Jake Paul documentary by Shane Dawson
- [42:46] Philip DeFranco
- [42:55] League of Legends, Fortnite, Black Ops
- [43:05] LegalEagle
- [43:22] Neil deGrasse Tyson, StarTalk Radio
- [44:12] Why ThatViolaKid follows each of those people
- [44:45] Mozart in the Jungle, Amazon Prime Video
- [45:04] Liza Koshy Dollar Store video
- [45:28] Why a background in improv is important
- [45:32] David Dobrik
- [45:47] Michael Scarn
- Wild Business Shoutout of the Week
- [48:46] The power of storytelling
- [49:22] Why the story needs to have a good fit with your brand
- [49:46] Oreo Super Bowl tweet
- [49:59] Doritos
- [50:12] Why you need to tell your story
- [50:53] Why people underestimate how hard it is to create content
- [51:28] How to grow your following on social media on any platform
- [51:38] Consistency and collaboration
- [52:06] Why collaboration is so important
- [52:38] Why podcasting is ultimate collaboration
- Rapid Fire Q&A
- [52:59] Snap, Crackle, Pop
- [53:04] Childish Gambino
- [53:15] “Not Going Back” by Childish Gambino
- [53:37] East Coast vs. West Coast
- [54:12] How I Met Your Mother
- [54:35] Johannes Brahms, Chamber music
- [54:58] Biggest pet peeve
- [55:44] Why you should always provide value
- [56:18] Favorite social media platform
- [56:40] Instagram vs. YouTube
- [57:55] “Down in the DM” by Yo Gotti
- [58:02] ThatViolaKid.com, “Duality” on Spotify, ThatViolaKid Instagram, YouTube, Twitch
- [58:57] ThatViolaKid’s final thoughts
- [59:30] Why consistency and patience are key
- [59:47] Why the moment you were about to give up could’ve been the moment you were about to break it
- [1:00:04] #PlayHomiePlay
- [1:00:43] Subscribe to the Wild Business Growth podcast and leave a 5-star review on iTunes (Apple Podcasts) and more!
- [1:00:56] Connect with Hippo Direct at HippoDirect.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube
- [1:01:04] Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter at @MaxBranstetter
- [1:01:10] Sign up for the Hippo Digest for curated creative marketing content from across the internet!
- Theme Song: Freestyle Percussion Magik – Jungle Tribe – provided by Jamendo
Aaaand voila, viola! Get ready for a new incredible guest coming every single week! Let us know any guests you’d like to see on the show and follow along for your favorite marketing tips and business tips on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube. Sign up for the Hippo Digest email newsletter for your weekly recap of creative marketing. Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!
