5 Q&A With Viola Hutchinson
What was the creative process like for this particular "Ruby Moon?"
Ruby Moon was a very reflective, nostalgic process for me. After moving back to Los Angeles when I finished college, I was flipping through my old journal entries from when I was a teenager (I have journals and poems going back to 2014) and that is how I ended up writing the song! It was a messy, yet wonderful trip down memory lane and I really loved writing “Ruby Moon”, particularly because I was able to see how much I’ve grown as a writer from when I was a teenager to now.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for "Ruby Moon" to life?
My collaborator, Robbie Nevil, played a pivotal role in actualizing my concept for "Ruby Moon." In terms of sound, our aim was to immerse the listener in a psychedelic yet sentimental experience, a vibe that becomes particularly pronounced in the Atmos version available on platforms like Apple Music, Amazon, and Tidal, thanks to the work of Adam Kagan. I think that the shared passion we all had for "Ruby Moon" and its story was instrumental in bringing the song to life.
What did you enjoy most about making "Ruby Moon?"
This is a tough one! I think what I enjoyed most was the moment I had with Robbie at a random diner in the Valley. After the first writing session for “Ruby Moon”, we sat in a booth and ordered tuna melts. We looked at each other and we were both like, “This is it.” That moment felt like an accomplishment, but simultaneously, a moment where we both realized we were embarking on this crazy new adventure.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
I've always had a deep love of music. Even as a child, I couldn't resist singing whenever and wherever I could. I just wanted to perform and to share my love of music with the people that I love. My serious journey into music began during my first year of college. After I recorded my first single, I thought to myself, “wait… I should learn how to play guitar.” This decision marked a huge turning point in my life. I ended up transferring to NYU to study music and feminism and would write for hours on end in my tiny Chelsea apartment. Music has always been a part of me, but I think only recently I gained the confidence to call myself a musician. “Ruby Moon” gave me that confidence.
Are there any specific artists or musicians you dream of collaborating with?
I would love to collaborate with Cherry Glazerr and Wolf Alice. I love Clem and Ellie and think both bands, in their respective ways, are incredibly creative when it comes to genre-bending and lyricism. In middle school, I used to listen to “Teenage Girl” on repeat– Cherry Glazerr was the first band I ever really fangirled over. I have also been reading Viv Albertine’s memoir and would love to somehow time travel to take part in one of the Slits rehearsals and be involved in the British punk music scene…
