Chiara diGrazia Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Chiara diGrazia is fresh off the release of her debut single, "miss the ocean", which is one you won't want to miss! I was so excited she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical goals, and more!

So, let's see what happens when Chiara diGrazia visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely adored your debut single, “miss the ocean”. What can you tell me about it?

I wrote miss the ocean almost exactly a year ago, when I was experiencing my first east coast winter. I grew up in Northern California, where it rarely drops below 50 degrees so it was a definite adjustment. As I returned to school in January, I had my heart broken. The results were a few very cold months of loneliness, until my friend had a house show, and me and two friends bought cheap wine, rode the green line out, and had a night of light and love. I wanted the song I wrote about it to capture how I was feeling, but without it feeling hopeless, i.e. the bridge about loving my friends and lines about being tipsy on the green line and feeling the love. I brought it to my producer Wyatt Peers and he brought it to life, keeping the pop beat and synth that I wanted while keeping it folk-y(and very Bostonian in my opinion haha).

Did you have a favorite part of the recording process?

The studios at Berklee are crazy. I've recorded before, but this time I felt like a real pop star which was so cool. Plus, whenever I got a mix back and got to know that this song I wrote in my room on my guitar was materializing into a real thing; it's the most special feeling in the world.

You attend Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?

I went to a private catholic all girls high school, and I was the only musician. I wanted the furthest thing from that, and that led me to Berklee. To be able to have friends who love what I love and to be able to study what I love in such an immersive way has made it a great fit.

Who or what would you say are your biggest musical influences?

The person who made me want to be a singer has always been Lana Del Rey. I think every word she speaks is like poetry. As I've gotten older, I would say my biggest songwriting influences are Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, but I love the idea of mixing folk songwriting and pop production in the recording process, which is when I turn to artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams.

What is your biggest musical challenge?

Separating myself enough from an experience to be able to write about it. When I'm feeling something so deeply, I find everything I write about it comes out cheesy, like "I can't believe you did that to me, and I hate you forever". I'm trying to learn that sometimes I have to wait months before I have enough space from something and can write in an honest way.

What are your immediate music goals?

Keep releasing! This was my first single, and it's been surreal to have music out in the world and to know that instead of only my closest friends hearing my songs, hundreds of people have. I'm already starting on the next project, I have more I want to say.

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Definitely excited to hear more of her music!

As always, I want to thank Chiara for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Chiara, and good luck reaching your goals!