Haiden
Talks TikTok Virality, New Single “Can’t Hurt Me” & Musical Inspiration
By Ken Tse
Eleven months, five singles, and a 54-second TikTok was all it took for Singer/Songwriter Haiden to become one of pop music’s most intriguing up-and-comers. The USC student had his viral moment less than two months ago, posting a personal original to his account @byhaiden. “Okay…Imagine Camila cheated on Shawn. What kind of song would he write?” the artist asks before teasing the infectiously catchy tune. The then-unfinished song, now titled “Can’t Hurt Me,” caught fire on TikTok’s For You page, earning him over 2.7 million views and a newfound fanbase.
“It was and continues to be the craziest roller coaster I've ever been on,” Haiden said. “It took me so incredibly long to get any kind of attention on there so this whole experience has been super satisfying.”
The artist, who is “currently being slept on,” may not have to worry about that much longer. A complete version of “Can’t Hurt Me,” released on January 21, 2022, celebrated a fantastic first week with over 60k streams on Spotify alone. Haiden showcases distinct lyrical ingenuity and perfect pop vocals, both of which Shawn Mendes would be proud of.
“This song is just as much of a rollercoaster as the platform that it was birthed from,” he added. “You will want to dance, tear up, and scream all within its 3:07 duration.”
We speak to the artist about all things “Can’t Hurt Me,” musical inspiration, and more!
Hey, Haiden! I hope you’re doing well, and congrats on all of your recent success. How did you get started making music?
Ahh, thank you so much! I started as a session guitarist but had to stop because of a hand condition that makes playing super painful after long periods of time. From there, I started writing songs as a way to fill the musical void that was left behind. Then, after not knowing how to get others to sing my songs, I began singing!
You made your debut last year with “Want to Want You.” What made 2021 the year to start releasing songs?
I had started writing songs in March 2020 and it took me a minute to find my voice, narratively speaking. I spent so long writing in the styles of my favorite artists not knowing what I wanted to say or how I wanted to say it. It wasn’t till I wrote “Want to Want You” that I felt like I was getting to know myself.
Last month, you went super-viral on TikTok – What was it like blowing up on the app? Where do you typically draw inspiration from when making your videos?
It was and continues to be the craziest roller coaster I've ever been on. It took me so incredibly long to get any kind of attention on there so this whole experience has been super satisfying. Even more so, talking to people in my comment sections has quickly become one of the most entertaining parts of my day. When showing off a new song, I want that song to be at the center of everything. Without planning it out too much, I also try to think of the people that might like the song and gear everything towards them.
As an artist with a growing social media fanbase, do you ever feel pressure to continuously put out content?
I tend to focus more on the quality of what I’m posting than on how often I’m posting. That being said, I definitely feel pressure. Less from the app or the people on it and more from the music industry itself. There’s is such a big emphasis on social media that half the time I feel less like a musician and more like a content creator.
What are some of the ways that you’ve learned to deal with this?
I’m still figuring out the balance. I’ve had a few meltdowns and moments of dread in the last month due to the struggle but it’s all been outweighed by the love I’ve gotten from followers and fans. For now, I’m taking it day by day and trying to remind myself that I got into this because I love writing songs.
With that said, let’s talk about the main event: “Can’t Hurt Me” gained over 12k pre-saves before its release last Friday. What has the reception been like following its release?
I’ve never experienced anything like it... People have been so warm and enthusiastic about the song. I was initially worried that because it went viral in its rawest and most acoustic form, fans would be shaken by the produced version. But at the end of the day, I wanted this song to be mine and mine alone. Lucky for me, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
For those who aren’t familiar with its backstory, can you walk us through what inspired the song?
I’d been seeing someone a while ago that made me so happy that I was willing to let them hurt me if it meant that I got to be near them. This meant ignoring the things that I knew were wrong including them not so secretly seeing someone else at the same time.
What is the perfect occasion to listen to “Can’t Hurt Me”?
This song is just as much of a rollercoaster as the platform that it was birthed from. You will want to dance, tear up, and scream all within its 3:07 duration. I personally love to crank the volume and listen to this on night drives.
How does the typical Haiden song come together? Is there any particular method you use to find inspiration?
Having started as a guitarist, I feel most comfortable when I have interesting chords to guide my way through the dark and mysterious writing process. I then sing melodies on top of those chords and fill them in with a story. I’m also always collecting little melodies and song ideas throughout the day so I typically consult my notes and voice memos apps for inspiration.
Who are some of the artists that have helped shape your sound?
For as long as I’ve been writing, I’ve loved Cautious Clay’s writing. The same goes for FINNEAS and John Mayer. They all find the most unique and profound ways of telling stories about the world around them. Inspires me to see the world in my own way and document it through song.
What is it like being a full-time college student while still creating music?
It’s a bit overwhelming at times and I often forget that I’m in school till I have half a dozen assignments due. I guess you could say that I’m looking forward to being able to focus on music full-time.
What do you feel has been the most surreal moment for you over the past month?
For those that haven’t seen it, in my most popular TikTok, I say that my song sounds like something that Shawn Mendes would write if his girlfriend cheated on him. Following the virality, I was reached out to by someone at his label and they said that they love the video and the song! Definitely blew my mind haha.
It’s a fact that you’re currently being slept on. What is one thing that you want the sleepers to know about yourself?
Sleep is for the weak. Come hop on the bandwagon!