Evolving with the Times: How Musicians Can Adapt to Trends Without Losing Themselves - Daniel Siegel Loanso

In music, fads come and go faster than a catchy riff. One second, it’s all about lo-fi beats; the next, everyone’s experimenting with AI-generated tracks. As a musician, it can feel like you’re stuck at a crossroads: remain with your tried-and-true sound, or board the latest trend train?

The trick isn’t to choose one or the other but to balance both. Embracing new trends doesn’t mean losing your musical identity. If done right, it can enhance who you are as an artist, allowing you to evolve while staying true to your core. Daniel Siegel Loanso shows how to navigate new musical trends while maintaining yourself in the process.

Trends as Tools, Not Definitions

Siegel Loanso urges musicians to think of trends as creative tools. They’re not meant to define you but to expand your possibilities. Let’s take autotune as an example. When it first hit the scene, it was polarizing — some artists used it as a crutch, while others, like Cher, used it as a creative flourish to add a whole new texture to their sound.

The key is to approach trends like ingredients in a recipe. You wouldn’t dump an entire spice rack into a dish just because it’s trendy, right? But the right dash of something new can elevate the flavors you’re already working with. The same goes for music. If you’re a jazz musician and everyone’s into electronic beats, you don’t have to abandon your saxophone for a synth, but blending a bit of the electronic vibe with your jazz roots could create something fresh and exciting.

Know Your Sound (and Why It Matters)

Before incorporating new trends, you must have a strong sense of your core creative identity. Who are you as an artist? What message are you trying to convey through your music? Knowing your “why” is essential because it gives you a foundation to build on.

Without that basis, jumping on every musical trend could confuse your audience about who you are as an artist. Trends can be fun, but your core identity keeps your music authentic. If you’re transparent about the essence of your sound, you’ll find it easier to incorporate new elements without losing the heart of what makes your music unique.

Blend, Don’t Borrow

A familiar misstep musicians make, Siegel Loanso says, is copying what’s hot at the moment without making it their own. This usually results in sounding like a watered-down version of someone else. The goal isn’t to borrow trends but to blend them with your style.

For example, if you’re a folk artist but find yourself drawn to the minimalist sounds of modern pop, consider how you can merge those influences into your own sound, rather than just slapping a pop beat onto your acoustic track. It’s the difference between being influenced by a trend and allowing that trend to overshadow your unique artistry.

Stay Flexible and Open

The music industry evolves constantly, and so should you. Staying flexible and open to new trends doesn’t mean abandoning who you are — it means you’re willing to grow. Look at iconoclasts like Bowie or Madonna, who consistently adapted to new trends throughout their careers yet always maintained a strong sense of identity. They didn’t fear reinvention because they knew who they were at their core.

Remember, it’s not about chasing every fad, but keeping your ears open for what resonates with you. If something new sparks excitement or curiosity, explore it. If it doesn’t, move on. Not every trend is worth your time, and that’s okay.

Authenticity Is Key

Daniel Siegel Loanso points out that the musicians who stand out are the ones who are true to themselves. Your audience can tell when you’re being genuine and when you’re just trying to fit in. The beauty of music is that it allows you to connect with people on a deep level, and that connection comes from authenticity.

New trends can be exciting and offer a chance to innovate, but the core of your music should always come from a place of truth. Trends may help you enhance your sound, but they should never drown out your unique voice.

Embracing new trends as a musician doesn’t mean abandoning your identity. It’s about using those trends to broaden your creative horizons while remaining true to who you are. Remember, trends will come and go, but your core identity is what will stand the test of time.