Olga Prepis Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music had another visitor! Olga Prepis has an upcoming single, Meraklina, that I am incredibly excited about. I am so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Olga Prepis visits Section 36 Music!

I’m incredibly excited about your upcoming single, “Meraklina”. What can you tell me about it?

‘Meraklina’ is a song that’s really close to my heart. The word itself comes from Greek, and it captures that deep, untranslatable feeling of doing something with passion, soul, and love. The track is based on a traditional Greek folk song that I reimagined - the lyrics talk about roses and lilies, and how a spirited woman, a meraklina, should be with a man who shares that same passion and zest for life. For me, it was important to honor the tradition and beauty of those lyrics while giving them a fresh sound that feels both nostalgic and modern. At its core, it’s about carrying forward culture and identity, while letting it breathe in a new way.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

I recorded it with my team of fellow Cypriots, which made the process even more personal and meaningful. When we started layering the vocals over the traditional-inspired instrumentation, I remember getting chills - it felt like the old and the new were finally speaking to each other. That was the moment I knew the song had found its soul. We all just started smiling, and I thought, this is exactly what the song is supposed to feel like.

You graduated from Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing Berklee did for your music career?

The biggest thing Berklee did for me was show me that everyone’s on their own journey. I was surrounded by people from every corner of the world, each with their own sound, background, and story. At first it can feel overwhelming, but what I learned is that there isn’t a single formula for success in music, what matters is staying true to your own path. That lesson gave me the confidence to embrace my identity and lean into my heritage in my artistry, which is a big part of why a song like ‘Meraklina’ exists. Instead of comparing myself to others, I started focusing on what only I can bring to the table. That shift in perspective has shaped everything I’ve done since.

What do you consider your biggest challenges with your music career?

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing authenticity with the pressure to fit into certain industry expectations. It’s so easy to get caught up in what’s trending or to compare yourself to other artists, and I’ve definitely felt that pull at times. But I’ve learned that if I chase what’s popular instead of what feels true to me, the music loses its soul. Staying grounded in my own voice, even when it feels risky, has been the most important lesson. Another big challenge has been patience. The music industry doesn’t move in a straight line - there are moments of excitement and momentum, but also long stretches where things don’t happen as quickly as you’d like. Learning to keep creating and believing in my vision, even during the slower times, has taught me resilience. Those challenges haven’t always been easy, but they’ve made me more determined and ultimately brought me closer to who I want to be as an artist.

If you could cover any Disney song, which one would you choose? Why?

I’d choose ‘Speechless’ from the live-action Aladdin. I love that it was written specifically to give Jasmine her own anthem, one that showcases her strength, independence, and determination to be heard. The message of refusing to stay quiet and standing up for yourself resonates with me on so many levels, especially as a woman navigating the music industry. There are times when you feel pressure to shrink yourself or fit into someone else’s expectations, and ‘Speechless’ is the exact opposite, it’s about claiming your space unapologetically. That’s something I try to do in my own music as well: to write songs that tell my story while encouraging others to embrace their voice and identity without hesitation.

What are your immediate musical goals?

My immediate musical goals are all about continuing to develop my artistry. I want to keep refining my sound, writing as much as possible, and experimenting with new influences. Each project is a chance to grow creatively and get closer to the most authentic version of myself as an artist. Collaborating with other musicians is also key, because every perspective helps me evolve. Ultimately, it’s about building a strong foundation for long-term artistic growth, not just focusing on the next release.

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I'm a big fan of "Speechless" as well!

As always, I want to thank Olga 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, Olga, and good luck reaching your goals!