HUTCH INTERVIEW: VIPER PRESENTS [FEATURE] BOLD ENGAGING INTERVIEW 2026
For 24-year-old singer, songwriter, and pianist Hutch, music isn’t just a career—it is a method of survival and a medium for clarity. Hailing from the suburbs of Brighton, his journey to this moment has been defined by what he describes as “obsessions, healthy and unhealthy.” While jazz piano—specifically the legendary Oscar Peterson—was his first love, the turbulence of addiction during his adolescence threatened to derail his path.
A pivotal move to Crawley at age 21 provided the clean slate he desperately needed. In that space between the rush of the city and the stillness of the countryside, Hutch began to dismantle his past and rebuild it through song. His debut single, ‘Never Like The First Time’ (Deep End Recordings), introduced a voice that is as technically precise as it is emotionally raw.
Now, Hutch is stepping into his most significant year yet. On 26th February, he dropped his new single ‘Coasting’, accompanied by a visual masterclass directed by Edem Wornoo (the creative mind behind visuals for Dave and Stormzy). To cap off a landmark week, he took to the stage at The Lower Third for a London show as part of the BBC Introducing Ones To Watch 2026 series.
Drawing influence from the vulnerability of RAYE and the rhythmic flow of artists like Little Simz and Loyle Carner, Hutch creates a sound that is “mental, soulful, and reflective.” We caught up with the rising star to discuss the therapeutic power of songwriting, crowd-surfing at seventeen, and why sometimes the best tracks start in the kitchen.
What five words describe your sound?
This interview is part of our Viper Presents long-form series, now hosted exclusively on our Substack. To read the full conversation with Hutch and gain access to our archive of deep-dives into the architects of Hip Hop and global culture, head over to the Viper Substack.
[READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE]
