"Different from those around me", Red Moon spoke several languages from a young age,"Music became my language of choice" She says of the time." It enabled me to truly express myself".
RED MOON alias Joanna-Deborah Bussinger (born in Basel, Switzerland) , known under the stage name Debrah Scarlett for Eurovision Song Contest in 2015, is a Norwegian-Swiss artist, singer, songwriter and producer. She has been releasing music as RED MOON since 2020. Her previous two EP’s, “PHASE I:XI” and “PHASE 2:22” were released in 2020 and 2021. Her latest single, "I Run," released on July 12th, 2024.
"This song is an ode and love letter to my amazing friends, family, and soul family who have been my support system over the last three years."
Being one of the many casualties in the music industry and the uncertainty of COVID, of course, made me reflect on how and with whom I want to release my new music. It’s been important for me to take a pause, create out of a new desire, drive and find inspiration from working with people I felt so connected to."
"My intention for this song was to capture the emotion of how someone close to you can enhance and elevate the different and unique sides of you. I think friendships have been a true mirror and also the ones who inspire me to become more of myself. In the end, the song can be whatever it is for you—it could be about your best friend, someone you’re in love with, or even a mantra to yourself. I’d love for it to connect with others in the way you can dream big with your best friends."
FASHION AND MUSIC
Do You Think Fashion is About Finding Something that Expresses Your Identity or Just Buying an Expensive Item?
RM: I think clothes have different meanings for everyone. For me, they explain who I am; they enhance how I want to be seen and how I feel that day. I enjoy experimenting with different styles, textures, shapes, and eras. They can put me in a different shape or mood. I don’t think clothes have value just because they cost a lot or have a big designer’s name on them; I value clothes because I genuinely like them and can see myself in them. I often find clothes and items at flea markets, vintage shops, and from emerging designers whenever possible.
I see many young people want to move away from buying fast fashion, because they understand the impact it has on the people creating the garments and the environment. That’s why I find trends to be dangerous because of the pressure they put on people but especially younger ones. In recent years, I have tried to narrow down my wardrobe to only clothes and items I truly love and can combine.
ROTP : FASHION IS INFLUENCING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, BUT ALSO MUSIC IS INFLUENCING THE FASHION INDUSTRY.
BACK TO THIS ICONIC MOMENT IN 2012 FOR EXAMPLE. FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE'S SINGER ( FLORENCE WELCH ) WAS THE MUSE OF KARL LAGERFELD FOR CHANEL AND CLOSED THE CHANEL RUNAWAY SHOW .
FOR US, WHEN WE CHOOSE AN ITEM FROM A DESIGNER. IT TELLS US A STORY !
IN FACT, THE STORE IS LIKE A STORYBOOK. EVERY SEASON, MANY ITEMS ARE WRITING A STORY FOR US. IN SEVERAL CASES, IT COMES NAMES IN OUR MIND ( CLIENTS, ARTISTS...), AND WE IMAGINE THEM IN A DRESS HERE.
STORY SHORT ! YOUR NAME CAME MANY TIMES ON THE PAPER (LAUGH) AND WE WERE PLAYING YOUR MUSIC AT THE STORE. WE WERE LIKE, “OH MY GOD, THIS IS VERY RED MOON”.
ROTP: What Do You Think About Fashion Now? Does It Mean Something to You? Do You Think Getting Dressed is a Way to Express Yourself or a Way to Communicate?
RM: Fashion, to me, isn’t about following trends but finding and creating your unique self-expression. It’s a playground to reinvent styles from the past and present. Right now, I love creating looks that seem like I came out of a renaissance painting, who also is a mermaid.
Some ways of dressing make me feel dreamy, romantic, or very strong. There are days I don’t feel good at all, and putting on a bold red lipstick and a cute outfit just puts me into a new mood. Styling yourself to me is just an other way I put love into the details, much like making a delicious dinner. Just in the same way I add sounds and vocal harmonies where every element is thoughtful and intentional. Fashion is intuitive, like choosing a perfume—currently, my favorite is Santal 33 from Le Labo. Some days I want to look chic, other days edgy or colorful. I love being playful, and wearing braids. I adore multiple necklaces, wearing blazers with big pointy shoulders, long gloves, and various shades of sunglasses.
Self-expression is deeply personal. Everyone should express themselves however they feel, without societal constraints or pressure. When someone asked what the perfect woman is. For me, it's simply every woman. Each person’s style reflects their journey, and honoring that individuality makes fashion meaningful and impactful. It would be boring if everyone looked the same! Moreover, a woman's body is her own, and neither men nor society should hold power over her choices.
LUXURY….
This topic comes often to the table. Everybody associates luxury with material goods, but we are curious to know what is luxury for you?
RM: Oh, okay. Let me have a quick think. 💭... Luxury ? Well, luxury to me is probably “time.” And also the way that you can spend it, and how and with whom you spend it. Maybe it's about finding joy in the things that you really care about. I think luxury is definitely feeling safe and having the feeling that you can decide what you can do maybe in the week without asking yourself, "How am I going to pay my bills and groceries?"
THE REBIRTH
ROTP: We know from experience in the store that people are always striving to be the best version of themselves. This could also be part of a "REBIRTH" process in a way. But nowadays, the world is becoming more and more spiritual. We believe that data makes the society even more sensitive to this, and some people are losing themselves. That explains why more and more people no longer have references around them. We are like a walking closet in a way. The store offers a new shopping experience. It's like trying on a dress with our kind of friends. Not as a client but as a friend—this is how much we want everybody to feel comfortable in the store. It's like coming to rebirth again.
ROTP: What does rebirth mean to you?
RM: Hmm, interesting… Well, I have different things we could debate about, but the first thing that comes to my mind—actually two things for rebirth—is: There's this aspect of "self-awareness." And for me, one thing that stands out the most is maybe… "ego death" and understanding that there is something bigger that you are part of. For me, it's nature, connection, and humanity. If I could try to translate it, it's like we are a big “net-work” and everything we do affects ourselves and others energetically. In nature, just like trees are connected above and below ground, mushrooms send information to each other which serves the forest and its ecosystem, or like jellyfish communicate in the water. There are so many different ways the world and nature show us how they work together.
How is it that humans seem to make things worse when they think they are so advanced? When the focus is only on me, me, me—“I want to have this, I want to do that.”
I hope "rebirth" can be something that gives me more empathy and understanding for others and finds ways to make life more magical.
FREEDOM
ROTP: When did you have your first performance on stage?
RM: I was around six years old. The first time I sang in front of an audience was at a summer party at the school I used to attend in Norway. It was a small town, and there were about seven hundred people at the event. They had a small stage, and a musician performing some songs with a guitar. Later, he asked if anyone wanted to come up and sing a song. I remember I didn’t hesitate to go up on stage and sang a Swiss preschool canon song. My mom was a bit too shy to join me when I asked her from the stage. so I sang a cappella. Haha.
ROTP: So, you started singing around five years old then?
RM: Yeah, probably even earlier :)
ROTP: Do you write all your songs?
RM: Yes, but I don't always write them alone. I really enjoy collaborating with other songwriters and producers because it feels like having a conversation. Collaborating always takes me out of familiar ways of playing on the piano, they bring a fresh perspective with their own musical taste and allow me to discover new styles and genres with my own flair.
ROTP: What is the importance of being part of a song competition or TV program? Was it just to have an experience, to test yourself? We know that you were part of the Eurovision Song Contest representing Norway in 2015. What did it bring to you?
RM: I didn’t have a specific intention of winning; it was more about gaining a new and exciting experience. It definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone and offered a unique opportunity to grow as a performer and vocalist, especially since I hadn't released any music of my own at that time.
Participating in The Voice of Norway was incredibly rewarding. I met some amazing people, including my mentor Sondre Lerche, and had the freedom to choose my songs from the blind auditions to the semi-finals. The team fully supported my visual visions for each performance, elevating my professionalism to a new level.
This previous experience was instrumental when I later entered Melodi Grand Prix and represented Norway at Eurovision together with Kjetil Mørland. Singing to a global audience of nearly 200 million viewers and performing in front of several live, sold-out crowd of over 16,000 people was truly surreal. It gave me a confidence that made me feel like I was meant to stand on a stage this big.
ROTP: Why the name Red Moon?
RM: This journey began with my previous artist name, Debrah Scarlett, which I carried from the age of 17 for nearly a decade. Over time, my music evolved, and with it, so did my relationship with that name. Starting with a fresh canvas was a bit scary but very freeing, especially given how many knew me under my former identity.
Photo Credit Anika Zachow
The name Red Moon emerged from a personal connection I've always felt with the moon.
"I was looking for a name that was memorable, clear, and sounded like the music I’d been creating—something you could visualize and understand its essence before seeing me.”
Just as the moon reflects sunlight on Earth, I aim as an artist and songwriter to reflect what I see and feel.
We felt very honored to have a little exchange with Red Moon. What an identity and inspiration for all of us. We are naturally glad to give her the space that she really deserve, and that´s in the heart of everyone in love with music. Pretty exciting to see Red Moon Live on stage !