For Colie Hutzler, the frontman of the rising emo-rock band Beauty School Dropout, music and business are two sides of the same coin. “A lot of people forget that there are two parts to the phrase ‘music business,’” Hutzler says. For him, the business side of music isn’t an afterthought — it’s all calculated. A modern-day entrepreneur with a rockstar edge, Hutzler seamlessly navigates the worlds of music and business, blending his passion for creativity with a sharp entrepreneurial spirit.
“Friends work with friends,” Hutzler explains, emphasizing the tight-knit ethos that fuels both his music and business endeavors. From touring with Beauty School Dropout to designing limited-run apparel collections for HOMETOWN ZERO, it’s rare to find an artist who thrives equally as both a rock star and as an entrepreneur.
While balancing a dual passion for music and fashion is no small feat, Hutzler spends his time wisely. Focusing on strategic, limited releases for HOMETOWN ZERO in 2025, Hutzler plans to roll out new pieces “around springtime.” But before new clothing, the main priority of Hutzler is wrapping up Beauty School Dropout’s album rollout — including music videos and merchandise. Once the album and its related projects are finalized, Hutzler will have a clearer vision of where he will take HOMETOWN ZERO.
THE BUSINESS
Inspired by his roots in fashion and art, Hutzler launched HOMETOWN ZERO with his bandmate and guitarist, Bardo Novotny, as a platform for self-expression. “Not many people know, but I almost went to fashion school. I’ve always been super enthralled with making clothes, art magazines, and everything beyond music,” he says. While juggling the demands of the band and the brand isn’t easy, Hutzler sees it as another avenue for creativity.
Recently collaborating with Hayden Alexander — a fashion designer in L.A. who personally sews each piece himself — has allowed for a creative and strategic approach to HOMETOWN ZERO’s growth. “I think that’s the beauty of where we’re at right now. We get to kind of litmus test all the different options,” Hutzler says. With Alexander’s expertise in clothing design, Hutzler says that the collaboration enabled them to put out products without the strain of handcrafting everything themselves. “We didn’t have to bend over backwards to hand make these pieces,” he says. “Also because we’re not necessarily a fraction as talented at making clothes as Hayden is.”
With that in mind, he’s exploring ways to give back to supporters by creating anticipation for each release, emphasizing desirable consumerism over simply producing more. Looking ahead, Hutzler is also considering the possibility of introducing pieces into brick-and-mortar stores as part of the brand’s evolution.
While the brand is still in its early stages, Hutzler is focused on dropping limited runs of specific garments — including cut-and-sewn tops and bottoms— in 2025. He aims to intentionally tie each release to larger creative rollouts. “You can only ask people to buy so much,” Colie explains. “I don’t want to be the guy who’s constantly putting things out without giving anything back.”
By fostering anticipation and emphasizing thoughtful releases, he’s paving the way for the brand to grow in an intentional and authentic direction. “New HOMETOWN ZERO, I think we’ll probably start rolling out around springtime of [2025],” Hutzler shares.
THE BEATS
Of course, music remains at the heart of everything Hutzler does. Beauty School Dropout’s electrifying sound, which Hutzler describes as “fun, loud, alt-rock,” is shaped by the band’s diverse influences. Hutzler brings a background rooted in heavy music, hardcore and punk, while the band’s bassist, Beepus, leans into emo and pop-punk and guitarist, Bardo, adds a unique twist, drawing inspiration from country and EDM, creating a dynamic blend of styles that collide to form their signature Beauty School Dropout sound.
Despite the large influences, Hutzler insists that their primary inspiration comes from peers rather than legacy artists. “I feel like we’re more inspired by our peers than we are a lot of bigger artists, because we’re always trying to think of how to be innovative and how to be fresh,” naming peers like sace6, FREAK and jxdn as direct influences.
That innovative spirit fuels their mission to revitalize the rock genre. “We’re all in the market of bringing rock back to the mainstream,” Hutzler explains — or at the very least, “to the front of pop culture again.” While incredible music has emerged from the scene over the years, Hutzler notes that no one is truly capturing the younger crowd right now. Many fans are drawn to the nostalgia of the “elder emo” movement and events like When We Were Young Festival, but they’re also eager for something fresh—something that pushes the boundaries of what rock can be.
Finishing off last year with a one of a kind event in Nashville, Ceremony Festival, Hutzler says that one of the most exciting aspects of this festival was the line up full of “young and talented and hungry” performers. In addition to the hunger, Hutzler says that this new wave of emo has great potential.
Hutzler sees this wave of nostalgia as an opportunity to foster a new wave of discoverability, creating music that satisfies that hunger for what’s next. “There’s been amazing music to come out of the space and amazing accolades and great things happening.”
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Colie Hutzler: Instagram // TikTok
Beauty School Dropout: Instagram // X // Spotify // YouTube // Website
Hometown Zero: Instagram // Website