By: Sadie Christine
Robyn Ottolini has been no stranger to viral songs and moments throughout her career, and her new release, “Growing Down,” is no exception. We had the privilege of sitting down with her to discuss this newest single, what the song means to her, and her upcoming projects.
When “Growing Down” was featured as one of the demos in her kitchen demo series last December, fans immediately loved the track and wanted more. When asked why she chose to release the song as a demo first before releasing the fully produced version, Robyn explained, “Initially when it went viral, I was like ‘Oh, I really want it to come out quick, but to fully produce a song after it goes viral, it does take couple months for the actual production, then getting it mixed and then getting it mastered and making sure everyone gives the stamp of approval. That’s a long process, and I feel like when something goes viral, you don’t always have the luxury to wait. The new team we’re working with suggested putting out the demo first, which is how people fell in love with it, and I know there’s a trend of songs going viral and then people putting out a produced version and people not liking that produced version and wishing they just put out the acoustic they fell in love with. So, we’re doing both, and I’m really excited. This is how people first heard it, how they fell in love with it, and it’s able to come out quicker this way.”
Robyn shared that this demo is her first producer cut and that she handled all the production herself. The demo features her on guitar, a kick drum, and her vocals, creating an intimate, stripped-back sound that highlights the song’s emotional core.
The fully produced version, which is coming out shortly, is already sounding great, according to Robyn, who tells us she loves how it turned out. “I feel like we’re getting the best of both worlds by doing the demo and having it how people heard it, like it and love it, but then also honouring my creative process as an artist and putting it out how I envisioned it.”
When asked about the inspiration behind the song, Robyn shared, “My last EP was called ‘Growing Up To Do’ and since that EP, I left that distribution service, my management and I got a new management, who asked me, ‘Where do you go after ‘growing up’ which is what the EP is called, and I was like ‘well, I guess I’m growing down’.”
She continued, “I feel like I have always been a really big people pleaser, and I’m like, ‘Yeah! Whatever works for everyone, it will be okay,’ and I’m coming into an era in my life where I’m like, no, I don’t actually want to do that. I’ve started speaking up and learning who I am and growing deeper into myself, being proud of where I’m from and loving all my quirks and how I go about the world. I think it’s all about learning what works for me and who I am and being confident in it. This song is about sticking to who you are and being proud of it, and not letting anyone shame you into being something you’re not.”
In 2023, Robyn opened for country legend Shania Twain on tour, and when asked who she would love to tour with in the future, she immediately named Kacey Musgraves. “Kacey would be number one on my list. I love her so much. A lot of my early writing, when I was 17 or 18, was inspired by her first and second albums, and I just love how smart and witty she is and how much she cares.”
To wrap up, we asked our signature question: “What is your era?” which explores which song from her discography resonates most with her today. Without hesitation, Robyn landed on “Growing Down.”
“Genuinely, I am in my ‘Growing Down’ era, I’m in my healing era, and I feel like I’ve shed a lot of habits and choices this past year. I’m really hunkering down into my bare bones era and really stripped back to just Robyn. It’s been missing these couple of years, so I’m really excited, and I’m back, baby! In my Growing Down era!”
“Growing Down” is just the beginning of what’s ahead. Robyn shared that she is currently working toward her debut album. “I am very excited. It’s a little on the low low, but it’s coming, and it will be my debut album, which is crazy, and now that I’m in my “Growing Down” era and I’m locked on me, I am excited for the new music that is coming!”
Be sure to stream “Growing Down,” the demo, wherever you listen to music, and don’t miss the official music video, out now.
Stay Wild, Stay Creating, Stay Country
