Friday, August 22, 2025

LEIA Visits Section 36!

Section 36 Music has another visitor
LEIA has a recent single, "Like A Song", that I can't stop listening to. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

I absolutely love your recent single, “Like a Song”. What can you tell me about it?

“Like a Song” is really special to me because, even though it’s one of my newest releases, it’s actually the oldest song I’ve released so far. It’s the first one I wrote with a real focus on the bass line and the groove, which was a big shift from how I usually write — before, I was more in a singer-songwriter mode. I wanted something where I could feel completely comfortable singing and playing bass at the same time, and where the rhythm had its own life. In a way, it’s a mix of my melodic, songwriter side and my rhythmic, groovy side, which was really fun to explore.


The lyrics are about obsession, being caught in your own thoughts about someone: their presence, their body, over and over, like a song that keeps repeating in your head. There’s also a little spoken part in Catalan, which is my first language and makes it feel really personal and grounded in who I am, it’s the first song ever I’ve introduced Catalan.


I worked on it with Berklee Revelation Records, and Dephrase produced it. We clicked creatively from the start, and it was amazing to collaborate with him and see the song fully come to life. 


That was your third release this year. How would you say the three songs compare to each other?

Each song has its own vibe and shows a different side of me I think. They’re different but similar in a way. Sola en mi habitación is more intimate, very personal and soft, fully in Spanish, and it’s about a brake up. Wet Dreams is more playful and cheeky, a little darker but fun, where I could really experiment with sounds and production, and bass lines, more “sexy". And then Like a Song ties it all together in a way — it’s groovy, melodic, and personal.


I love that even though they’re all different, together they show a bit of the spectrum of how I write and what I like to explore as an artist. Each one has its own mood, its own energy, and I feel like they complement each other really well.


Which Disney song would you most want to cover?

Definitely something from The Lion King! For one reason or another, I’ve already had the chance to sing two songs from it in different situations — the last time was at the Berklee Performance Center — and it’s always such a joy. There’s something about those songs that’s so epic and emotional, and I’d love to put my own twist on one of them, maybe make it a bit groovier or more stripped down, but keeping all that magic and feeling. Singing a Disney classic is just pure fun, and The Lion King will always be one of my favourites.


You are currently attending Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?

Berklee has always been kind of a dream for me — both my parents studied there, so I grew up hearing about it and imagining what it would be like. Honestly, for a long time I thought it would never be possible financially, and I didn’t believe I could ever get a scholarship. But when I was 25, one day I just woke up and thought, “I have to try, even if it seems impossible.”


So I went for it, applied, and somehow it all worked out. Being here feels amazing — it’s inspiring to be surrounded by people who are all so passionate about music. Every day I’m learning something new, not just about music, but also about myself as an artist. Berklee is the place where I can really grow, experiment, and push myself in ways I never imagined, and on top of that I got to meet so many incredible people from all around the world, learn their music, their different cultures, it’s an amazing place to open your mind and meet amazing incredibly talented people.


What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Honestly, the hardest part is doing it all by myself. I love creating music, but there’s so much more than just that — managing social media, handling everything behind the scenes, planning releases, coordinating with collaborators, basically all the non-musical stuff. And on top of that, I’m studying full-time at Berklee, which is amazing but also really intense. Balancing school, music, and everything else can be exhausting, but at the same time it makes me feel proud because it’s all my vision, my decisions, my work. It’s definitely challenging, but it’s part of what makes this journey so real and rewarding.


What are your immediate musical goals?

Right now, my main goal is to keep writing and creating, and eventually put together my first full album. I’ve released singles so far, but I really want to create a whole world that people can dive into and connect with. I also want to keep performing live as much as possible — there’s nothing like the energy of playing with my band in front of people.


At the same time, I’m focused on growing as a musician and producer, experimenting with new sounds, grooves, and styles. Basically, I want to keep learning, pushing myself, and sharing music that feels authentic to me.


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I definitely want to be part of that world!


As always, I want to thank LEIA for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview. All Photos by Clara Ruiz


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 and visit her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 


Thanks again, LEIA, and good luck reaching your goals!


Thursday, August 21, 2025

Perri Hinton Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor
Perri Hinton has an incredible single, "
Only You Would Know", releasing on Friday that you have to stream as soon as you can. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Perri Hinton visits Section 36 Music!

I am incredibly excited about your upcoming single, “Only You Would Know”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much!! "Only You Would Know" is (surprise, surprise) written after a breakup - songwriting is cheaper than therapy! Do not fear, however, the song isn’t about heartbreak. I aimed to make it about finding hope again because that’s what music does for me. It’s an uplifting pop song with hip hop elements (including Rukundo’s incredible rap verse).  


Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

Yes! The moment I realized the song actually worked with a full band. I had been sitting on the couch in Perth, writing and producing the track in GarageBand (of all DAWs), when it dawned on me that I had real musicians at Berklee to bring it to life. Working with such talented people was truly an amazing experience.


Which Disney song would you most want to cover?

Probably ‘Let It Go,’ because I’ve been holding grudges since high school, and I feel like Elsa’s trying to tell me something. It’s also a fantastic song that completely captures the moment of finally being your authentic self. 


You are currently attending Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?

Funnily enough, I was doing Criminology as a pathway into Law, in the University of Western Australia, when I suddenly realized that I’d rather be a starving artist than a well-fed lawyer! Jokes aside, music was my passion and when I searched up “best music school in the world” - Berklee caught my eye. The rest is history and I am having an incredible experience.


What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Convincing my family that “streaming royalties” is not code for unemployment. But honestly, the hardest part for me is patience. Everything in music takes time. It’s a lesson in trusting the process and not giving up, even when the progress feels invisible. I have such great admiration for anyone courageous enough to put themselves out there. 


What are your immediate musical goals?

World domination. However, I would settle for people following me on Instagram and Spotify!


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Hopefully we can all help with the second part of that goal!


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


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


Thanks again, Perri, and good luck reaching your goals!



Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Alexis Bleu Is "Kinda Funny"

 


Be Inspired!

“Kinda Funny” represents an important chapter in Alexis Bleu’s evolving journey as an artist, continuing her commitment to writing, singing, and producing her own music. The track was recorded in her bedroom, with mixing and mastering handled remotely by Juan Canteli, a collaborator she met through a
Berklee Online course. Juan, who also worked on her earlier track “Summer of ’21” brought the song to life with his polished touch—something Alexis says was essential to making "Kinda Funny" what it is today.

The song was written during a major transitional period in Alexis’s life: she had just transferred from Berklee’s Boston campus to Berklee Online and moved back in with her parents in North Carolina. Struggling with FOMO and feelings of falling behind, she decided to channel those feelings into something uplifting. Drawing instrumental inspiration and lyrical depth from Em Beihold, Stela Cole, and Katie Lynne Sharbaugh, Alexis created a track that’s both emotionally honest and uptempo.
Alexis reflects, “When I was a little girl, I wanted to be this larger-than-life singer... With this song being out, it helps me remember that no matter where life takes me, I know I'll be okay, either way.”

"I hope this song is able to connect with others, and if it does, then I hope it puts a smile on their face, just as it does mine."

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Alexis Bleu is a 21 year old folk/pop singer-songwriter from Michigan. After spending some time studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Alexis is once again based in Michigan, continuing her studies with Berklee Online as she works towards a B.A. in Songwriting and Music Production. Alexis strives to bring a sense of joy and belonging to listeners through her music. She hopes to be an inspiration to others, whether through writing about her own struggles with mental health, or simply creating songs to dance to.


Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Mari Aoki Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor
Mari Aoki has an amazing recent single, "Behind My Eyes", that I love listening to. I was thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Mari Aoki visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely adore your recent single, “Behind My Eyes”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! Yes, this song is about the tug of war between the memories about your ex that made them your lover at one point and the realities that make them your ex right now. 


I still have fantasies of bumping into him or any of my exes really. So it brings into question what if we made those fantasies a reality. That’s always the point of tension right? I think ultimately I enter a lucidity in the chorus, acknowledging, we really shouldn’t be anything close in reality. So I’ll keep seeing him or any of them behind my eyes. 


You also made a fantastic music video for the song. What was it like putting that together?

I went from putting aside a hefty budget for a hi-def music video vibe to now, where I’m around more DIY oriented artists. I think it’s unfortunate that music, which is art, WHICH shouldn’t have anything to do with capitalism, is basically a reluctant sibling to capitalism now. So my DIY approach was not only out of necessity, but an exploration of anti capitalism. 

Visually, I’m very interested in Y2K, Japanese girl next door vibes recently so I had lots of fun exploring that. I’ve been around so many Japanese people including Spookytatu, now roommate and incredibly intuitive visual/tattoo artist inspiring a lot of “Mari Aoki” visuals. So you can see a lot of their influence on my narrative lately.


What do you enjoy most about performing on stage in front of an audience?

Well it’s the whole point. 


All of the stuff, the content, visuals, even songs themselves are setting the stage for the MEAT of it all which is performance. 

You gotta be there to say you have experienced it right? Live performance? 


It’s pretty spiritual and intimate to look people in the eyes and to be myself in this way.


Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Perfume, Japanese EDM trio.

Sheena Ringo, also Japanese songwriter and path paver honestly! 


I think Perfume exudes this Japanese cuteness that unfortunately, the world sees purely in a stereotypical way.

But their cuteness expresses this unapologetic femininity and youthfulness that’s never tries to be sexy. It’s surprising to see that as an American, since our music industry banks on the sexualization of female artists.


Sheena Ringo on the other hand DOES exude a sexiness that I’m very interested in.

It’s not on the nose though which I like.

It’s just a contrast from Perfume because Sheena Ringo expresses a sense of maturity, sometimes a more pessimistic perspective.


I love taking inspiration from these two contrasting artists.


What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Art vs. Business.

Hands down.


I’m a Capricorn so, I think about money a lot.

But it’s not about being someone with lots of money (well okay sometimes, admittedly it is lol).


It’s about stability as well as being able to proudly say what your profession is. And how proud would I be if I said I eat from ticket sales? 


Art that pushes boundaries, therefore, creating a new future of art, is so inconvenient for our money making machine. And that’s the sort of movement, I’m interested in, as far as existentially fulfilling some sort of purpose as someone who was born into this time and place as an artist.


But that’s so antithetical to the practical goals I have in my life.


How y'all juggle it yourselves? I’m talking to the artists out there! Ugh.


What are your immediate music goals?

This year, my goal is to reach the folks out there that are
looking for me...


In business terms, one could call this group of people my "niche" or "target audience", sure. 


But all I want to do is reach those who are looking for a new pop, disco, R&B sound intersecting with J-pop! 


In other words, I want to curate a genuinely Japanese American pop sound and find the people looking for it. 

I know they are out there, because I know I'm looking for it. And I'm trying to create it! (keyword being "Trying"!)


I want to work on curating live sets and projects (singles, EP's, films even) that bring these people an experience that they can't get through any other artist. 


In this economy, a $20-30 ticket is a big ask. 

Time and energy to listen, watch, and immerse myself in my story is a big ask. 


My goal is to make it a no brainer. 


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That's definitly a goal I can appreciate!


As always, I want to thank Mari for visiting with us, and for sending along the picture 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, Mari, and good luck reaching your goals!




Monday, August 18, 2025

Nicole Ash's 36 Favorite Things!

Photo: Sube Films
I imagine that you know Nicole Ash from her
 amazing music, including her recent single "Seeing Signs", which I hope you've listened to over and over.

To go along with that release, I thought we should learn a little bit more about this artist, by learning a few of her favorite things! Let's see how it goes.

What is her favorite...

Animal? Cat

Disney song to sing? Go the Distance or I'll Make a Man Out of You

Crayon color? Red violet

Coffee order? Iced coffee with caramel and almond milk

Baseball team? Red Sox

Vacation spot? Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Place to shop? Vinyl shops or retro game stores

Star Wars character? Yoda

Winter activity? Sledding or baking

Beverage? Coffee

Restaurant? I don't eat out often, but anything with a good pad thai

Book? The Catcher in the Rye & Harry Potter

Song? Helena by My Chemical Romance

City? Boston

Ice cream flavor? Cookie dough

Shape? Heart

Article of clothing? Band tees

Place to walk? The beach

Season? Fall

Cookie flavor? Chocolate chip

String instrument? Guitar

Color rose? Red

Superhero? Elastigirl

Body piercing location? Cartilage

Candle scent? Vanilla

Thing you did in the last 24 hours? Blasted My Chemical Romance in my car

Cheese? Pepperjack

Female musician? Jenna McDougall

Disney character? Megara if we're going classic, otherwise Captain Jack Sparrow

Social media platform? Instagram to post, YouTube to watch

Type of big cat? Lion

Summer activity? Swimming & concerts

Toy as a child? Lego

Smell? Anything fall scented or desserts baking

Souvenir to bring home? Christmas ornaments

Section? 36!!


That was fun!


As always, I want to thank Nicole for taking the time to do this with us. It's always nice to be able to learn a bit more about a favorite artist.


Be sure to listen to Nicole and follow along with her to see what she's up to. I would definitely follow her on Instagram, and/or Spotify. In fact, go do both right now! 


Thanks again Nicole!