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Jorge Rivera Herrans unveils some aspects of the Epic: Musical. Last Christmas, he managed to dethrone Taylor Swift from the number one spot on the US iTunes album chart. The stakes are high as the final installment of his musical rendition of the Odyssey is set to release on Christmas Day.
Rivera Herrans’ project has already seen remarkable success, boasting 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, surpassing industry stalwarts like Morrissey, Liam Gallagher, and the Sex Pistols. In the last 28 days alone on the platform, he garnered 119 million views.
“I craved sword fights, the sea, gods, monsters, spells, love, lust, and revenge,” he expressed to the observer. “I want people to experience wonder and feel like kids again when they engage with it.”
Amazing is not just a musical but a 40-song concept album where Rivera Herrans takes on the role of Odysseus during his decade-long journey back to Ithaca post-Troy’s siege, with each step portrayed on TikTok.
Amazing caters to the fascinations of teen pioneers of Generation Alpha, blending Greek mythology and fan interaction.
Rivera-Herrans initiated the writing and recording process in his bedroom studio, later constructing a soundproof vocal booth with his father. While most artists guard their creative processes zealously, Rivera-Herrans takes the opposite approach, openly sharing everything from song motifs to orchestration choices and audition procedures.
“It was daunting initially,” he confessed. “The first time I shared a video on TikTok, I was so nervous that sleep eluded me that night. However, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Sharing the process online is fantastic because it’s a collective adventure. We can witness real-time feedback on what works and what doesn’t.”
The debut song was a solo effort, but Rivera Herrans later held auditions on TikTok, where interested candidates showcased their singing talents. “We were anticipating around 30 auditions initially, but by month’s end, we had received 1,000 video submissions,” he revealed.
Jorge Rivera-Herrans, the mastermind behind Epic: The Musical. “I craved sword fights, the sea, gods, monsters, spells, love, lust, and revenge,” he remarked.
Enthusiasts also have the opportunity to animate and breathe life into their interpretations of Amazing‘s songs, a prospect that Rivera Herrans relishes. “If I subtly hint at forthcoming events in earlier songs and embed numerous clues through musical motifs, will the audience catch on? When they do, it’s immensely gratifying.”
One of the most enigmatic leitmotifs fans have deciphered is a trumpet melody signifying Poseidon’s involvement in the storm that detained Odysseus and his crew at sea for years, without any deity visibly intervening. The theme resurfaces later, sung by a god.
“It’s truly astonishing how fans pieced this together,” Rivera Herrans stated. “We’re devising captivating storytelling techniques along the way. It’s truly invigorating.”
Claire Chandler, a senior lecturer in musical theater at the University of Lincoln’s School of Creative Arts, noted that fan engagement with musical theater has surged since composers began showcasing their work on YouTube circa 2015.
Jorge Rivera-Herrans: playwright, composer, lyricist, actor.
The pandemic has fostered the emergence of two other TikTok musicals. Firstly, Remy’s Delicious Restaurant originated from the online meme culture that sprouted around Pixar movies. Various TikTok users crafted songs, ultimately leading to a Broadway performance of Ratatouille for a charitable event.
Then Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear crafted an unofficial bridgerton musical after Barlow shared a snippet of her singing the piece. While they secured a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, they faced a lawsuit from Netflix for their attempts to stage the show.
Fans of Amazing inquire about the possibility of a stage adaptation.
Following the conclusion of the narrative on Christmas Day, they might receive an answer when Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca. Rivera Herrans and his team are in discussions with a “prestigious company” to produce an animated film and another entity for a live-action stage presentation. Three video games are in the works, with two already in development. The team acknowledges fans’ eagerness to participate in bringing these projects to fruition.
“What’s the next iteration of Amazing? What have we bequeathed to the world? I am receptive to all possibilities since each rendition can illuminate a distinct facet of the story,” Rivera-Herrans affirmed.
Source: www.theguardian.com
