New Music From Lucia Dostal, Mori, Girl Annual, Tiril Jackson, and Alaina Margaret Droog!

 

"Wild Child" - by Lucia Dostal

Release Date: October 4, 2024

What You Should Know: "The inspiration for this whole project began during a backpacking trip in The White Mountains of New Hampshire, where I wrote Wild Child. Spending that trip outdoors made me realize how disconnected much of our society is from the natural world. This EP features my awesome friend & co-writer @jacob_redmusic on Little Island: Our song about our own Prince Edward Island."

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Other Noteworty Releases: Lucia Dostal

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "What 2023 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Lucia Dostal Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"the hill i die on" - by Mori 

What You Should Know: "i have a few gifts for you and here is the first of them. i wrote hill back in december at 4 o’clock in the morning. i was bothered and restless, so i sat down to write what i thought would be yet another song about the same person i’ve been writing about for the last three years. instead, the first words out of my mouth were finally what i’d needed to say and never wanted to.

i wrote the first verse and chorus, recorded a voice note to listen to while i thought of more ideas in the shower, walked into the bathroom of my lonely little apartment and cried and cried and cried. my first attempt at loosening my grip on a person i held so dearly before. and here it is."

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "What 2023 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Mori Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Ember" - by Girl Annual

Release Date - September 27, 2024

What You Should Know: "it’s called «ember» and it’s about rationalizing feelings, calculating your way in and out of love. it‘s also about being unintentionally mean, and then being intentionally mean. and it was inspired by diane from bojack."

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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"Who Are You" - by Tiril Jackson 

Release Date: September 26, 2024

What You Should Know: "I want those who connect with my EP to feel okay being vulnerable and honest. I want to create a space where people can feel safe to embrace their whole selves, including their inner demons, and remind them that change is only natural and part of the journey :)"

Find It: Spotify or Apple

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"Rabbit Hole" - by Alaina Margaret Droog

Release Date: October 11, 2024

What You Should Know: "The lyrics of “Rabbit Hole” explore the universal experience of using the Internet to cope with heartbreak, eagerly seeking a glimpse of closure, and coming to terms with no longer being a part of someone’s life. Alaina Margaret describes the song as “edgy with a mountainous wanderlust vibe---only this kind of wanderlust travels through the depths of your heart, and of course, down a rabbit hole.”

Find It: Spotify or Apple

Aasmi Visits Section 36 Music!

We have another visitor to Section 36 Music! Aasmi is an incredible artist, whose debut single Khoj is simply a masterpiece. You should really check it all out. I was thrilled Aasmi was willing to visit with us to discuss her single, her musical goals, and more!

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

I really enjoy your recent single, “Khoj.” What can you tell me about it?  

*Khoj* is a Hindi word that means "discovery" or "searching for something," and that's exactly what this song is about. I worked on it for a whole year with my friend Taraksh as the recording engineer. It all started in July 2023 when I woke up from a vivid and intense dream. As a way to remember and process the dream, I designed the first synth that plays in the track.  

The idea began in Logic, but all the recording, foley, and mixing were done in Pro Tools.  

It’s an intricate blend of electronic sound design and Indian classical vocals, much like modern and traditional elements dancing together.

Do you see more studio work in your future?  

Yes, of course! *Khoj* is only the beginning. I’ve just started
expressing myself, and it’s truly a blessing to be able to observe and learn about life through art.

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

I’ve been involved in music since I was two years old, and I always knew I’d end up in music school. As the years went by, my interests evolved into interdisciplinary fields. I’m an Independent Recording Production major at Berklee with a minor in Health and Wellness. In addition, I’m taking a class at MIT this year with Harvard, Berklee, and MIT students, where we’re working on creating VR experiences. I’m sure no other place could offer me such a holistic approach to my passions while keeping my roots grounded in music theory and jazz.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?  

A few of my absolute favorite artists are FKJ, Bruno Major, (((O))), Anoushka Shankar, MARO, and Esperanza Spalding.

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

It’s a very healing experience. Not only do I get to relive my own creative imagination on stage, but I also get to share it with people, which is a liberating experience.

What are your immediate music goals?  

I’m currently working on an EP and making sure I collaborate with all my friends, having a lot of fun in the process. Music is a lens, and my goal is to view life through it.

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Definitely excited to hear that EP!

As always, I want to thank Aasmi 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. And, be sure to listen to "Khoj" wherever you usually find your music.

Thanks again Aasmi, and good luck reaching your goals!

New music from AYĖL, Zara, and Wendy Wang

"R.A.F." - by AYĖL

Release Date: September 27, 2024

What You Should Know: "To those who feel different, out of place, searching for where they belong— « R.A.F. » is for you (link in my bio). This song was born from solitude but also from strength."

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "AYĖL Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Back to Mars" - by Zara

Release Date - October 4, 2024

What You Should Know: Another outstanding addition to this artist's library of work

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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"Songs Inspired by My Pets Vol 1" - by Wendy Wang 

Release Date: September 27, 2024

What You Should Know: "this project was so special to me because it’s the beginning of my animal series. So so grateful for everyone who was part of it. hope you guys love it as much as I do"

Find It: Spotify or Apple

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Sunlight", "If I Told The Truth"

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Wendy Wang Visits Section 36 Music!"

Singing the Anthems at Fenway Park by Rebecca Soul

Most people who follow my music journey on social media would never guess, but I deal with intense imposter syndrome and performance anxiety. It’s ironic because performing is my lifeline, and my main source of happiness, but it’s also what terrifies me the most. The passion that fuels me can sometimes feel like a double-edged sword, driving me to give everything I have and leaving me overwhelmed in the process. I’ve been working on myself for years and seeking help through therapy to learn how to manage these feelings. 

This summer, I faced one of the biggest challenges of my life: singing at Fenway Park in front of 37,000 people. It was a dream come true, but it also ignited a firestorm of anxiety inside me. I knew I had to confront this fear head-on. When I found out in May that I would be performing at Fenway, I was filled with a mix of excitement and sheer panic. The enormity of the event weighed on me, but I was determined not to let fear win. For two months leading up to the performance, I dedicated myself to mental preparation as much as vocal training. Every day, I would sit down with my journal and vividly imagine the performance. I wrote down every detail—how I would feel, the sound of my voice resonating through the stadium, the audience’s reaction. I created a mental blueprint of success, a “fake memory” that I could cling to in the actual moment. 

Learning the national anthems was also a new challenge for me. I wanted to respect the tradition while also making it my own. I received all sorts of advice; some people told me not to do runs and sing it exactly as written, while other people told me to add my flavor and go crazy with it. I ended up listening to my gut and just stayed true to myself. I knew some people wouldn’t like my version, and that’s okay; I wasn’t there to please everyone, I was there to be authentically me. The day of the performance arrived, and surprisingly, I felt more excited than anxious, because I had done the work. However, when I arrived at soundcheck, I was really thrown off balance. There were no monitors or in-ears available, and the echo in the stadium meant I could only hear my voice trailing behind me! I panicked. For a moment, it felt like all my preparation was slipping away. When I got home, my roommate tried to reassure me, but I was terrified. I worried that I would mess up in front of thousands, that all my hard work would be for nothing. Yet, I knew I couldn’t let fear take over. I took a deep breath, gathered my strength, and decided to simply trust myself. Walking onto that field was surreal. It felt like stepping into a dream. I knew those who mattered most to me—my parents, my best friends, my cousin from Spain and his wife and my voice professor from Berklee were all there. I felt an overwhelming sense of support and love. And in that moment, I wasn’t thinking about the 37,000 people watching. It was just me, doing what I love, as if I were singing in a small, intimate venue. My heart raced as I started to sing, but my mind was calm. It was an incredible feeling—being nervous yet centered, vulnerable yet strong. And when I finished singing, a wave of relief and pride washed over me. I did it. I smiled, knowing that I had given my all, even without the usual comforts of monitors or in-ears. As I walked off the field, people stopped me to congratulate me. I felt a deep sense of happiness, not just because I had faced my fear, but because I had connected with the audience. 

That’s why I do what I do—to make people feel, to bring a moment of joy into their lives.

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This story has been posted simultaneously here and on the Section 36 flagship blog. To learn more about Rebecca, be sure to check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Drew Alexa Visits Section 36 Music!

It is my privilege to say that Section 36 Music has another visitor! Drew Alexa is an amazing artist, with a fantastic body of work. You should really check it all out. As a way to get to know Drew a little better, I was thrilled she was willing to visit with us to discuss her recent single, "Digging You Up", her musical goals, and more!

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

What can you tell me about your recent single, “Digging You Up”?

My recent single is about trying to reconnect with someone from your past and realizing they’re just a stranger who knows you a little too well. I had a stripped back approach to this song because I wanted the main focus to be on the words and the story being told. I feel like this is a situation many people will be able to relate to on a deep level. One of my favorite lyrics is in this song and it’s “you’re just a stranger who knows a little too much about me”. 

What was your favorite part about the recording process?

I loved every part of recording this song. I feel like my producer and I are finally honing in on a sound that truly feels like me. We decided to keep the instrumentation very minimal by sticking to a nylon string guitar, acoustic guitar, and some nice guitar slides on an electric. It really felt like every part of the song came together beautifully to capture the sadness of the story. 

You graduated from Berklee College of Music. How did your time there help your music career?

I think Berklee definitely helped when it came to my songwriting. I had so many helpful songwriting classes during my time at Berklee, it’s like I’m a completely different writer than when I first started. I also think being surrounded by so many other talented artists and writers is something really valuable at Berklee. Hearing feedback and suggestions from my peers was the best thing for me. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences are Bon Iver, Sara Bareilles, Phoebe Bridgers, and Justin Furstenfeld. All of their music has played a big part in the music I write and produce. 

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

I love performing and being able to connect face to face with people through my music. I feel like it’s so vulnerable to get on stage and pour your heart out through a song, and I think there’s magic in sharing that vulnerability. I also love to see people’s reactions to my songs in live time, and getting to talk with people about how they relate to my music after the performance is done. 

What are your immediate music goals?

My goal is to continue becoming more and more vulnerable and open in my music. I want to reach people and have them feel understood through my songs. I’m going to continue developing my sound and find myself through my writing/production. 

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That is definitely a great goal. Can always support being true to yourself!

As always, I want to thank Drew 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. And, be sure to listen to "Digging You Up" wherever you usually find your music.

Thanks again Drew Alexa, and good luck reaching your goals!