Alex Thomen Turns Satire into Song on "Where Did They Go Wrong?"

With “Where Did They Go Wrong?” Alex Thomen takes a bold step into satirical rock, with a single that blends sharp social commentary with the polished musicianship of a seasoned composer.

The Nashville based multi-instrumentalist has already built a reputation for cinematic trailer scores and intricate piano work, but here he turns his lens on something far more immediate: the strange, ironic paths that people take in a hyper-connected, social media driven world.

The song’s premise is deceptively simple. Through three verses, Thomen tells the stories of fictional characters who each represent a real world cultural phenomenon.

Danny, the boy who once struggled with self-image but has reinvented himself as a self-proclaimed “alpha male” online; Carly, an ambitious young woman who ends up recruiting friends for a multi-level marketing scheme; and Michael, a med student who drifts into alternative medicine and pseudoscience.

Each vignette is instantly familiar because it reflects the kinds of transformations we all witness. Sometimes in friends, sometimes in ourselves in an age of constant rebranding and online grifts.

What makes “Where Did They Go Wrong?” so effective is how it balances humor with empathy. Thomen doesn’t only mock his characters. He sketches them with enough detail and humanity that their choices feel understandable, even if misguided. This nuance keeps the song from turning into a polemic. Instead, it lands as a kind of self-aware portrait of a society where people’s identities and values can flip overnight, often in pursuit of validation, status or quick cash.

Thomen’s approach to recording mirrored the song’s narrative diversity, pulling together contributions from different locations and times.

The drums, played by Aaron Walters, were recorded at Electric Wilburland in New York, the piano was tracked by Thomen himself at Colorado Sound Studios in Denve, guitars came courtesy of session guitarist Ryan Casey from his Nashville home studio and bass was performed by Tim Dolquist.

Vocals were all recorded and produced by Thomen. Despite being recorded in different locations, the final mix is cohesive and alive showing Thomen's skill as both arranger and producer.

The accompanying music video is directed by longtime friend and collaborator Chase Bartholomew. It mimics the look and feel of a live, in studio performance, a clever move from an artist who identifies more as a studio musician than a live performer.

Thomen understands that irony is often best communicated through subtle expressions and body language, and Bartholomew’s framing, lighting and editing captures those nuances. For the two friends, who began making videos together in high school, the shoot was a full circle moment.

Together, the song and video offer a satirical yet poignant snapshot of our times. In a culture flooded with self help gurus, pseudo science cures and influencer run “business opportunities,” “Where Did They Go Wrong?” feels like a mirror. It's funny, a little uncomfortable, and sharply observed.

Thomen weaves social critique into a rock driven groove that sets him apart as an artist who can both entertain and provoke thought. It is a sign that his storytelling instincts are only getting sharper.

"While the characters in this song are all made up, I think it speaks to a true, cultural experience. The 3 topics covered in the song are grifting schemes that are ongoing in modern culture. I wanted to write a song that touches on these topics because, especially in our internet/social media-dominated society, these types of grifting schemes are extremely prevalent.

I originally approached the composition as if this song were going to be performed live. However, I rarely perform live these days - it's hard to when I have a full-time job already. So, it made sense to me to record a studio version of the song (I work in the recording industry, after all) and make a music video for it. The music video is kind of my replacement for a live performance."

In short, “Where Did They Go Wrong?” is a statement about the cultural moment we’re living in, wrapped in clever wordplay, meticulous production and a sly sense of humor.

For listeners who appreciate music that makes them think as much as it makes them nod along, Alex Thomen has delivered something special here.

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