Podcast Summary:
Design Better — "Fitz and the Tantrums: Finding your creative voice in your 40's and why success feels different than you think"
Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Eli Woolery & Aarron Walter (The Curiosity Department)
Guest: Michael "Fitz" Fitzpatrick (Fitz and the Tantrums)
Overview
This episode explores the unconventional creative journey of Michael "Fitz" Fitzpatrick, frontman of Fitz and the Tantrums. Hosting well into his 40s before achieving commercial breakthrough, Fitz discusses how age, persistence, and self-discovery shaped his career and creative process. The conversation delves into the parallels between songwriting and design, the essential role of constraints, the impact of parenthood, and the surprisingly complex feelings that accompany “making it.” Fitz’s honest storytelling offers inspiration and reassurance to late bloomers and creative professionals from all backgrounds.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Fitz’s Uncommon Path to Success
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Background & Family:
- Born in France, raised in LA, Fitz grew up immersed in art and culture. His dual cultural identity exposed him to diverse influences ([04:22]).
- “I never saw myself as completely American or completely French. I’ve always sort of been in this middle place…” ([04:34])
- Parents actively encouraged artistic pursuits; his father's work in opera and classical music deeply influenced him ([19:23]).
- Born in France, raised in LA, Fitz grew up immersed in art and culture. His dual cultural identity exposed him to diverse influences ([04:22]).
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Early Struggles:
- Despite a privileged arts background and schooling, Fitz endured over a decade of rejection in the music industry. At 29, he repeatedly heard he was “too old” from record executives ([04:22]–[10:30]).
- “Ten executives from record labels listening and they're like, 'he's too old, he's too old, he's too old.' And I was 29 at the time, mind you.” ([06:38])
- Shifted gears to work in music for advertising and film, eventually starting a successful company with a producer partner before returning to his dream ([08:00]).
- Despite a privileged arts background and schooling, Fitz endured over a decade of rejection in the music industry. At 29, he repeatedly heard he was “too old” from record executives ([04:22]–[10:30]).
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Betting on Himself (and the Band):
- In his late 30s, driven by an itch to be a true artist, he started Fitz and the Tantrums, investing $250,000 of his personal savings to keep the band afloat. It was an all-or-nothing gamble that paid off when they landed a record deal at SXSW ([10:30]).
- “I have this money I saved from being successful for the last few years...I’m going to bet on myself.” ([08:47])
- In his late 30s, driven by an itch to be a true artist, he started Fitz and the Tantrums, investing $250,000 of his personal savings to keep the band afloat. It was an all-or-nothing gamble that paid off when they landed a record deal at SXSW ([10:30]).
The Magic of Creative Chemistry
- Band Formation & First Gig:
- Fitz describes the serendipity and instant connection when assembling the band, especially his partnership with singer Noelle Skaggs ([12:05]).
- “We played one song where Noelle and I were just facing each other. And instantly our voices blended, which is not a given.” ([13:32])
- The group’s high skill level meant instant synergy—a result of “Malcolm Gladwellian 10,000 hours” of practice among members ([13:55]).
- Their first show at LA’s Hotel Cafe was a catalyst, receiving overwhelming approval from the local music community ([14:50]).
- Fitz describes the serendipity and instant connection when assembling the band, especially his partnership with singer Noelle Skaggs ([12:05]).
Persistence and Authenticity
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Refusing to Quit:
- Creative drive was innate and necessary for Fitz’s wellbeing. He likened his musical compulsion to a form of “keeping sane” ([15:46]):
- “I'm a creative person, and if I'm not expressing that creativity or unlocking that part of my brain on a frequent basis, I can feel myself start to get out of alignment.” ([16:13])
- Work for advertising and others felt like a “modified” version of his dream—fulfilling in some ways, but always second-best ([17:00]).
- “Can we have it speed up? ... speed up, but slow down...make it more yellow. I'd be like, yellow, you got it.” ([17:19])
- Creative drive was innate and necessary for Fitz’s wellbeing. He likened his musical compulsion to a form of “keeping sane” ([15:46]):
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Age and Industry Barriers:
- Fitz’s rise in his 40s—an age when most artists are dismissed—defied industry norms ([18:20]):
- “It’s basically like me and Willie Nelson might be the only two dudes that have ever made it in their 40s.” ([18:55])
- Now in his mid-50s, he continues to find new success and meaning through music ([19:08]).
- Fitz’s rise in his 40s—an age when most artists are dismissed—defied industry norms ([18:20]):
Discovering His Unique Voice
- Struggles with Imitation Versus Authenticity:
- Fitz explains his early shapeshifting across genres, always chasing trends—until a vintage church organ, gifted from his ex, sparked a breakthrough ([19:57]).
- “I just let myself just sing in this way that was fully, just authentically me, and it felt so right.” ([22:25])
- He decided to focus his songwriting into a clear Motown-inspired lane, setting aside anything that didn’t fit—a form of self-imposed creative constraint ([22:45]).
- “If it doesn't fit within this lane, I don't care how good the song is, it's out of here. And I was just hyper focused to keep the guardrails this way.” ([23:10])
- Fitz explains his early shapeshifting across genres, always chasing trends—until a vintage church organ, gifted from his ex, sparked a breakthrough ([19:57]).
Skills Development – It’s Never Too Late
- Learning Piano in Adulthood:
- Fitz openly discusses starting piano lessons in his 30s—dispelling the myth that it’s ever “too late” ([24:52]).
- “I have a natural ability… but I didn't put in the work. So I always sort of just got to this one level.” ([25:11])
- Adult study gave him the skills to better realize the music in his head, even if he’s “still a pretty crappy piano player” ([26:00]).
- Fitz openly discusses starting piano lessons in his 30s—dispelling the myth that it’s ever “too late” ([24:52]).
Influence of Family & Parenthood
- Family as Anchor:
- Classical music, a childhood annoyance, became cherished as an adult—and now, something he passes on to his kids ([26:31]):
- “Now I have this very twisted, weird soft spot for it. I play classical music for my kids...” ([26:36])
- Fitz and the hosts explore how having children reoriented his priorities, giving deeper meaning to life—and suggesting that true happiness transcends professional success ([00:01], [27:05]).
- Classical music, a childhood annoyance, became cherished as an adult—and now, something he passes on to his kids ([26:31]):
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Attaining His Exact Dream:
"When that actually comes true, not a modified, but your exact dream on steroids comes true. You get there and it's a very strange feeling because you don't feel any better. And finding my wife and starting a family saved my life."
— Fitz ([00:01]) - On Creative Compulsion:
“I didn’t ask to be a musician. I was born a musician...for me, it’s never even been a choice, really. It’s just something I knew I always had to do to keep myself sane.”
— Fitz ([15:46]) - On Age & Success:
“We didn’t get our first record deal till I was 40, 41. We didn’t have our first hit song on the radio till I was 42. I didn’t have my biggest song of my career till I was 44.”
— Fitz ([17:33]) - On Finding His Voice:
“I just let myself just sing in this way that was fully, just authentically me, and it felt so right.”
— Fitz ([22:25]) - On Creative Constraints:
“If it doesn't fit within this lane, I don’t care how good the song is, it’s out of here… And that was the thing that—finding my voice and having that ability to focus...those two things converged.”
— Fitz ([23:10]) - On Pursuing Skills Later in Life:
"I'm still a pretty crappy piano player, but it just gave me that one next level..."
— Fitz ([26:00]) - On the True Meaning of Success:
“The crazy part of having your dream come true is when you get there, what it does to you.”
— Fitz ([27:05])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:01 – Fitz on Personal Fulfillment and True Happiness
- 04:22–10:30 – Early Career: Bouncing Between Cultures, Facing Rejection
- 10:30–12:05 – The Birth of Fitz and the Tantrums, Betting on Himself
- 13:32–14:50 – Band Chemistry, First Show, Community Impact
- 15:46–19:08 – The Relentless Call to Create, Ageism in the Industry
- 19:57–23:10 – Discovering His Unique Voice, Power of Constraints
- 24:52–26:00 – Adult Learning: Piano Lessons and Skill Development
- 26:31–27:05 – Classical Music, Fatherhood, and Shifting Priorities
Tone and Language
Fitz’s language is candid, sometimes self-deprecating and warm, offering a clear-eyed view into the peaks and valleys of creative life. The tone throughout is conversational, honest, and frequently humorous.
Final Takeaway
Michael Fitzpatrick’s story is a testament to persistence, authenticity, and the creative power of constraint. His journey reveals that success rarely feels as expected, and that finding fulfillment—creatively and personally—may require letting go of old ideas about timing, age, or what dreams “should” look like in adulthood.