Empty Pinata is back with his third single, “TikTok Girl,” a hazy, coming-of-age snapshot pulled straight from the messy, hilarious, and painfully familiar moments of his youth. The track dives into a world of trendy girls, late-night drives, substances, ghosting, and that all-too-real feeling of watching someone disappear into their phone. Blending mellow bedroom-pop energy with psychedelic touches, “TikTok Girl” captures the image of a girl fading away at night with a “bowl in her hand”—whether that’s weed or snacks depends on how you hear it.
Speaking with him, it’s clear the song isn’t tied to one specific person but to a moment—a string of memories that blur into a feeling more than a face. With his trademark mix of comedy and melancholy, Empty Pinata turns that universal young-adult confusion into something relatable, funny, and quietly tragic. And with his EP Nail Biter on the way, “TikTok Girl” is just a glimpse of what’s coming next.
What real-life memory inspired “TikTok Girl”?
Empty Pinata: Too many to count hahhaa
How did the title “TikTok Girl” come about?
Empty Pinata: I was originally going to title the song “Thotty,” but I figured, for marketing sake, I would go with the obvious and catchiest part of the song
Do you think this girl is truly “stuck” in her phone, or is that just where she chooses to be?
Empty Pinata: I think it’s definitely more insidious than this character realizes/ there’s definitely parallels from this story to real life people, but yeah, i would say stuck. Almost forced in a way, but that’s some self-inflicted punishment if you’re asking me lol
Is the song about a person or about digital culture?
Empty Pinata: More a moment. I’ve done this dance with a few girls, and at this point in my life, it’s a faceless memory, you know? Like a feeling more than someone in particular.
Besides your own experiences, what age group do you think will relate to this song the most?
Empty Pinata: Young adults probably. I can’t picture anyone else liking this song
How do you balance comedy with melancholy?
Empty Pinata: It’s the drama masks. Comedy and tragedy. It’s the great equalizer for me. Sad situation, humorous outlook or the laughable situation with painful perspective.
If “TikTok Girl” were a movie, what genre would it be?
Empty Pinata: Coming of age for sure.
What element in the production gives the song its ‘hazy, psychedelic’ feeling?
Empty Pinata: Maybe my oohs and ahhs. They act as a pad. Also, the delays Gamal added are sick!
What feeling do you hope the listener walks away with after hearing the song?
Empty Pinata: “I hope that manchild is alright?”
What’s the next chapter for Empty Pinata? EP or Album?
Empty Pinata: NAIL BITER THE EP COMING SOON
Message to fans and readers
Empty Pinata: God bless you, and I hope you and yours are well!
