Gracie Nash on Miss Tutti And The Fruity Band’s Inspiring New Back-to-School Album

Music educator Gracie Nash, also known by her alter ego Miss Tutti, believes you can’t judge a fruit by its cover. That’s why she’s all about turning back-to-school season an inclusive, lyrically stimulating musical party. With the release of Miss Tutti And The Fruity Band’s second album, she throws everything but the kitchen sink — funk, psychedelic rock n’ roll, boss nova, you name it! — into one place. The result: A big, grand City of Fruits.

Kicking off with “Pronoun Party” and the message that “there’s room for us all,” City of Fruits is upbeat, fun, and edgy, with an all-star lineup that includes lots of NYC creatives, such as Emmy-nominated songwriter Emma Jayne and Broadway performers Lauren Marcus and Laura Dadap.

But what truly sets this record apart for young listeners is the relatable moments amid the layers of lush harmonies. And the humous, honest songwriting.

“When I’m writing songs, I find it’s really important to start by being honest with myself and identifying what I need more of these days,” Nash tells Rockmommy. “For instance, when I wrote the song ‘Faces,’ I was in the middle of having a really painful acne flare-up, and I was feeling super insecure about my face. I started thinking about all the various unique facial features that can be a source of insecurity, while also being a source of beauty.’

To learn more, Rockmommy caught up with the self-described theater nerd.

Rockmommy (Marisa Torrieri Bloom): Gracie, congrats on releasing City of Fruits! For those who aren’t familiar with your music, can you tell us more about how you created Miss Tutti And The Fruity Band? Is it your alter ego?

Gracie Nash (Miss Tutti): Hi Marisa, thank you so much! Miss Tutti is somewhat of an alter ego! When I was little, I was bullied a lot in school for my appearance and my differences. However, I was able to find a safe place in the music classroom. Now, as an adult, I teach music and work with kids all the time. Miss Tutti and the Fruity Band is a vibrant, heightened world of my own creation where I can be the safe music teacher. 

Fun fact: the woman I was named after went by the name Tutti! I also love that “tutti” in Italian means “all” — and that’s exactly the vibe I want to bring to the table: a place where we can all be ourselves.

Rockmommy: What was your background in music pre-Miss Tutti And The Fruity Band?

Gracie Nash: I started playing guitar and writing songs when I was 11 years old. I was a total theatre, a cappella, and choir nerd. That eventually brought me to NYU, where I studied voice and musical theatre. I then got my master’s degree in songwriting from NYU and spent several years recording an EP and gigging around NYC with my solo singer/songwriter project. For the past 10 years, I’ve been a private guitar, voice, and songwriting teacher, and I’m a teaching artist leading opera-writing residencies at PS58K in Brooklyn!

Rockmommy: You’re big on self-acceptance, diversity and emotional well-being. What do you think your listeners need more of these days, and how does that inspire your songwriting?

Gracie Nash: When I’m writing songs, I find it’s really important to start by being honest with myself and identifying what I need more of these days. I find that the most uncomfortable truths are often the things we all have in common. 

For instance, when I wrote the song “Faces,” I was in the middle of having a really painful acne flare-up, and I was feeling super insecure about my face. I started thinking about all the various unique facial features that can be a source of insecurity, while also being a source of beauty. I think kids especially need more spaces where they can acknowledge their insecurities and uncomfortable feelings without immediately being told to push them away. Sometimes self-acceptance starts with simply being able to say, “This is hard for me,” and realizing you’re not the only one who feels that way.

Rockmommy: Some of your songs sound like a Broadway musical! How do you approach songwriting?

Gracie Nash: As I mentioned, I grew up a total theatre nerd … so no surprise there! I think the theatrical flair comes from my storytelling approach to songwriting. I like to make every song feel like a little movie or adventure. At the heart of every song is a story with a message, and I like to wrap that in a colorful package of a catchy melody, nostalgic harmonies, clever lyrics, and really killer live musicianship.

Rockmommy: What was the main inspiration for your latest album?

Gracie Nash: This album felt like a pretty natural continuation of our last album. Whereas Confidence Juice hones in more on — well, confidence, of course — this album continues that thread while bringing in ideas about community, empathy, and emotional resilience. 

One thing I love about living in NYC is how such a wide array of people from various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences come together to make one beautiful city. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable to take in new ideas or imagine others’ experiences, and I think kids and adults can benefit from exploring these themes. Ultimately, I wanted to celebrate coming together in our unique forms, even if that can feel messy or emotional at times!

Rockmommy: You’ve got lots of cool collaborations on this record! How did you pick your musician pals to sing and play with you?

Gracie Nash: Finding collaborators has been a really organic process, and I’m incredibly grateful that the universe put these creative souls in my life. I met my co-producer, Charlie Rosen, at summer camp in 2007. I’m super lucky to have come across not only an incredible lifelong friend, but also the best producer a Tutti could ask for.

Emma Jayne and I found each other’s music at the same time in 2018. They had stumbled across my singer/songwriter NPR Tiny Desk Contest video, while I had seen their name on a poster and listened to their music. We added each other on Instagram and pretty quickly became friends. They’ve been with me since the beginning of this Tutti adventure, and it’s pretty rockin’ to co-write with one of my favorite songwriters.

For the most part, every musical collaborator on this record started as a friendship, and it felt like a no-brainer to bring them all into the Tuttiverse!

Rockmommy: What’s the most important message you hope to impart on young listeners as they go into the new school year?

Gracie Nash: When you bring your zany, weird, and unique self into the classroom, it helps everyone else feel safe to do the same and shine a lil brighter. Celebrating each other’s uniqueness is what creates the strongest communities!