Tiffanie DeBartolo has a creative soul. Whether it’s writing a screenplay, running a record label or launching her latest novel – DeBartolo does it all with the creatives in mind.
Her new novel was recently released on October, 20th 2020 and was inspired by the music of The National. SORROW, her first novel in a decade, expertly examines this idea through the lenses of art, music and love. The book is both a humorous and emotional assessment of the millennial generation.
You get a real sense that she cares more about the emotional aspect or quality of the project she’s working on moreso than popular or economic impact. While we both agree that trending #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list would be truly amazing, having readers come away with something special or personal from the book would be extremely satisfying.
I asked Tiffanie what she was hoping the reader would come away with after they close the back cover of her book. DeBartolo tells me, “I always want to connect with people and I want my books to feel to people what my favorite songs and books feel like to me. And that is making me feel less alone. I hope that I create characters that feel real and somehow resonate with readers in a way that they will feel less alone. And feel like, “Wow! Somebody out there understands this experience that I’m having of being a human“. Because I think sometimes people get lost in their aloneness and it’s a dark place to be. Nothing, in my life, has meant more to me in those moments than books and music.”
I found her words to be inspiring but as we got deeper into our conversation, I found her to be just as inspiring, as a person. The emotion or lonesome feeling that she’s hoping reader will find comfort for, from her words isn’t a work or something contrived. It’s from a personal space of feeling and fortunately she’s been able to transfer those emotions into chapters and hopefully made someone feel comfort, even if for a few moments. That is inspiring and powerful stuff.
DeBartolo also co-founded the record label Bright Antenna with Sep V in 2007. Since the company’s inception, they have helped bands and artists launch their creative voices into the world.
You can hear the passion for music in her voice as we discussed not only band’s she’s worked with but bands that she (and I) absolutely love like Pearl Jam and U2. After she takes me through the company’s early days she says, “For someone that had spent a decade playing with imaginary friends all day, going back into the world and having co-workers and working with artists.. it’s really been a gift. There’s so much magical stuff working with musicians and working in the music industry and watching bands from, zero to selling out the Fillmore in San Francisco and just feeling so proud in moments like that. It’s definitely all worth it but it is a lot of work and a lot of banging your head against the wall!”
Heck, I’m just excited to see what’s next from her.
You can hear my entire conversation with Tiffanie DeBartolo by clicking on the link to your favorite place to listen to podcasts. There’s many more stories and sources of inspiration. You won’t be disappointed.
-Tommy Marz
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You can check out SORROW on Amazon by clicking HERE
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