Kohl Almire Launches Under Color
Maddie Medley, Kohl Almire and Charlie Holt. Photo: Curtis Wayne Millard
Following seven years of experience in artist management, A&R and digital marketing, Kohl Almire has launched a new artist management company called Under Color. His roster includes Kobalt singer-songwriter Maddie Medley and Charlie Holt, former bassist of Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
As one of the few transgender artist managers in the music industry, Almire is passionate about building a home for artists that celebrates identity and protects creative freedom, a unique viewpoint that earned him a spot in the highly competitive 2025 Equal Access cohort, an accelerator program led by mtheory.
“Under Color translates to ‘under belly’ – aka the underbelly of an animal. To me it means practicing the ‘soft side’ of artist management,” Almire explains. “The projects I do best on are the ones where the artist has a strong creative vision and pulls me in to supplement it. It’s about meeting artists where they are, helping them orchestrate dream projects, and finding meaningful ways to connect with their audience.”
“Kohl brings seven years of deep, varied experience in the music industry—and with Under Color, he’s channeling that knowledge into something powerful,” says mtheory’s CEO, Cameo Carlson. “As a trans man and a strategic, creative force, he’s redefining what leadership looks like in Nashville. His perspective isn’t just valuable—it’s vital. mtheory is proud to be part of his journey through the Equal Access program and beyond, and we believe his voice will help shape a more dynamic and forward-thinking future for our entire industry. Under Color reflects the future of artist management: fearless, visionary and unapologetically original.”
Prior to launching his own company, Almire spent over six years at Red Light Management, where he served as a day-to-day manager and helped shape digital campaigns for major artists including Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Brent Cobb, Moon Taxi, Jessy Wilson, Grouplove, 99 Neighbors and Maddie Medley.
