by Cari Cole
Can you do music at any age? Well as long as your fingers can hit the strings and your voice doesn’t give out – then yes. But if you are trying to make it in today’s industry, you have to consider that just like fashion, there is such a thing as being age appropriate for your music.
This is a bigger conversation than just this blog, and we can continue the dialogue on social media, because there’s a lot to this -and a lot of differing opinions on the subject. I’m interested in hearing yours in the notes below!
As I see it, great music, like fashion, has a good sense of timing, a relevancy to what’s going on in the world, and an age appropriateness. People who dress well, dress well for their age. Musicians who age well keep our attention. They are “age-
appropriate”. Recently I saw Blondie on a daytime talk show singing one of her hits from when she was in her prime (in her 20’s.) She was dressed pretty much the same only she is in her late 60’s, and well, it didn’t work so well. That happens a lot as people
age – they continue wearing clothes they’ve always worn and don’t know to change their hemlines or tailoring to better suit them as they age. Who wants to see a 70 year old in a mini-skirt? Not really, well, maybe Tina Turner! And even she is retiring. But oh –
them legs!
So should musicians be concerned about their music having an age appropriate-ness?
Here’s my short answer to our Facebook fan Jill Haarlander who posed this question:
The great thing about music today is that no matter how young or old you are, you can build a brand for yourself. Since you don’t need the nod of a label, you can get out there and get heard. However, it’s important that your music and brand are a match for your age or you could be hurting more than helping yourself.
How?
Let’s start with genre. If you are under 30 or even 35 you have more room to choose from, but if you are in your 40’s you want to look at the genres that tend to transcend getting older.
Ageless Genres: New Age, Spiritual, Kirtan-chant music, Gospel, Inspirational, Children’s music, Jazz, Blues, World, Folk, Classical and some Singer-songwriter and some Country. Lucinda Williams was in her late 40’s when she “made it big” on the country scene . Kathy Mattea was in her 50’s. The genres above have an ageless-ness to them. And being a songwriter is 100% ageless – you can do that all of your life.
Next thing is to act your age musically. If you are not out in the clubs, then why is your music? Madonna is aging herself. She’s no longer on the scene but is trying to keep her music there. Doesn’t work.
Then take a look at your brand. You want to be sure that your brand matches your music and your age.
The main thing is to have an objective eye, or get someone who will be objective for you. Most artists have trouble “seeing” themselves from an objective point of view and it can be detrimental to their brand. This is tricky tricky stuff. Branding will definitely
hurt not help your business if it is not representing you well.
I recommend working with a stylist (or a fashion forward friend.) One of my favorite stylists is Elsa Isaac. I love Elsa’s styling first and foremost because she makes you look like a better you first. Elsa’s clients do not “look the same” because she is not a cookie
cutter stylist. Each client has their own look and signature. Secondly, because she makes you look good for your body type (and that goes for guys too)!
A good stylist knows how to dress you for your age and when it comes to your music – it’s trickier as you age. You can’t wear the same thing at 40 you wore at 25 and look good. Also aging rockstars are different than artists who haven’t made it. It’s even trickier if you are not out there and are trying to get attention later in life. It can be done, but all the more important to work with a styling team who knows what they are doing.
For those of you on a budget, shop a lot, take pics, research fashion trends and build your own look – or work with a clothing salesperson at your favorite store and learn how they put things together. Do your homework and use your Inner Circle of Friends for real, honest feedback. Be sure to tell them you won’t hate them if they tell you the truth!
Want to see what I would say about your music and brand? Book a Cole Power Hour and I’ll help you figure it all out!
Let’s keep this conversation going here and on social media. Post your thoughts below!