Tuta Interview

Conducted by Bethany M

My name is Tuta. That's my artist project as well. I'm an artist and I recently released my debut EP called Back Pain, which is mainly pop. I am also a writer and I write for other artists that are mostly my friends or sometimes artists. I write from all kinds of genres because I'm from Argentina. I also speak Spanish very fluently, because I lived here my whole life until I went to study music in the US. I studied at Berklee College of Music. I did songwriting and a production major as well. So I also produce. I kind of do a lot of things. But my favorite thing ever is writing for myself or for others.

What is your goal?

My goal is to shine a light on mental health as well, especially when it comes to anxiety and depression.

Why do you make music?

I make music to self-soothe myself, in times where my anxiety needs to speak but I can't put it into words. But the reason I put it out is for others who can't voice it themselves, to help them understand different parts of their being.

What artists inspire you?

Clairo inspires me a lot, especially as she also has been highlighting queer stories as well as anxiety-related ones.

What inspired you to start writing music and wanting to pursue it further?

The first thing I had that I've ever written, I was like six. So I don't think it was something that inspired me to do it consciously. I think I always listened to a lot of music because of my family. They played music in the car and it was like my favorite part of the day, so I just gravitated towards it. I actually wasn't gonna study music, I was gonna study sociology, because I'm also quite a big nerd. I just started it in the pandemic and I just like I can do this, because music is just like my love.

If you have a set songwriting process, like what would that usually look like?

I remember when I was growing up, I would watch videos and not know what everyone would say, like, there's no fixed process. And I would be like, can someone tell me? And it's true. There's no fixed process. Sometimes it's inspirational. Sometimes I can't write. And then sometimes something happens and I need to write it all. I'm writing quite often because of my job and also because I just need it. But essentially, I try to see it as seasons. Like sometimes you're processing something and you need to write. And, you know, it's always like it's always useful to write regardless if you have a goal or not, because you may use it for something else later. Sometimes I have things that I'm like, I'm never going to use this. And someday I'm not inspired and I find something and I create the spark again.I wish I could explain what the process is, but it just kind of depends every day .I'm trying to do it with paper now, very recently, instead of on the computer, but it's hard.

What's one of, like, the most surprising things that you've learned about yourself through songwriting or releasing music?

it's hard to release stuff. That it's a process now that I've done it and I did my first EP. I think I'm getting more comfortable with it but it's still something nerve-wracking.

Do you face any challenges as a smaller singer songwriter?

I have to do everything. Thankfully I have great friends that help me out sometimes, even the writing sometimes. I don't know what I would do without them, because you just have to do everything. You got to be your own business person, your art person, your everything, but I mean it's like what I love to do so you know can't nothing's perfect.

What's your favorite part about being like an artist?

Working with my friends just like having that excuse is great, because they're awesome. Like most of the people that were in my debut ep that collaborated with me are my friends like all of them actually. It's a good excuse to hang out.

If you could collaborate with any artists like dead or alive who would it be?

I was thinking about this. I was probably like Justin Bieber. I still listen to his new album. I only wish there were more women working on it. That would be great. Probably because he's a real yearner.

If you had any piece of advice for your younger self or like other people that wanted to start pursuing music what would it be and why?

I would say just start with whatever you have and stop waiting. I waited a lot. I mean, not a lot. I'm 24. But I waited quite a bit for what. I just kept postponing it. And it doesn't matter, the stuff you do at the beginning. You're never going to be like, oh, this is perfect. Maybe you will. I didn't. And I still don't. Just start with whatever you have.