Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Lucy Frost Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 
Music has another visitor! 
Lucy Frost is a fantastic singer, whose recent single, "Amnesia", is simply outstanding. I was so excited that she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, future goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

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

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

I wrote Amnesia about 2 years ago. I came across this melodic line on the piano that I was absolutely obsessed with, so I recorded myself playing it over and over again. I think the fact that I listened to this one line so much until it was totally stuck in my head, made the lyrics just flow right out. It basically took me a day to then write the rest of the song, and now I’m super excited to be sharing it with the world!


What is your favorite memory from the recording process?

I recorded Amnesia with my producer, Doc, over the span of two days in New York. This was one of the fastest sessions I’ve done; a lot of just writing and thinking on the spot but it goes to show how cemented Amnesia was as a concept for me, and Doc was able to perfectly produce it out. And we did it all while watching Star Wars in the studio, which of course, makes everything more fun! 


You also compose scores for films and television. What do you enjoy about that creative endeavor?

I’ve always been a huge movie fanatic ever since I was little. I would figure out movie scores by ear on the piano and then play them for my family. This love and fascination with soundtracks ultimately led to me studying film scoring at Berklee for 3 years. The thing that captivates me the most about composing for film and TV however, is the storytelling. It’s all about using music to communicate a time, place and raw emotion that otherwise words cannot describe. This same concept has started to play into my songwriting as well; I think I've learned how to be relatable to my audience through the power of storytelling. The fact that your music can have such a strong effect on someone just from them watching a scene or listening on the radio, is the reason I continue to create art everyday.


Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

I would say Billie Elish has been a top candidate for me for years. The intimacy of her voice and lyrics has been a major inspiration for sure. That said, I’m not someone who sticks with just one genre or artist. My music is constantly being influenced by rock, movie scores, country, latin pop, everything. Right now, I’m especially into singer, Jesse Jo Stark, as well as 60's French music by Françoise Hardy. I don’t know why.


What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?

I think in this day and age, especially as a musician trying to get your foot in the door, social media is really constricting. I can’t deny that it is an incredible tool that can get your song heard by more people than ever before, but as an artist, it definitely forces you to put your music in a box in order to get even remotely recognized. Everyone can get heard these days, everyone can get a million views, but identifying that truly timeless aspect of your music and having that heard by the world, has to be the most challenging part about this. I’m constantly striving to find and share that authentic sound only unique to me, that will hopefully have an impact on others for a long time, not just a short minute of fame. 


What are your immediate music goals?

I have so much to share and so much I want to do, so right now it’s about getting my vision seen and continuing to release as much music as possible! Consistency is key, and I admit, I'm definitely the type of person that wants to do like, ten things at once, so just trying to focus on getting my music out to listeners like you one song at a time is my goal for right now.


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I can definitely relate to those challenges. How about you?  


As always, I want to thank Lucy 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 of. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify as well as bookmark her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 


Thanks again Lucy, and good luck reaching your goals!




Monday, December 4, 2023

Savoir Faire Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 
Music has another visitor! 
Savoir Faire is an amazing singer, whose recent single, "Machine With a Dream",has a beauty and power to it that you just have to experience for yourself. I was so excited that she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, future goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

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

I absolutely love your recent single, “Machine with a Dream”. What can you tell me about it? 

Thank you! This is a song about women's reproductive rights. I'd actually sat on the lyrics for quite some time, but I didn't have a melody or chord progression of it for quite some time. Lyrically, this song addresses some of the antiquated ideas concerning women's right to choose: that it's a woman's biological duty to become a mother, that she leaves no legacy on this Earth if she doesn't leave a bloodline, that child free women are selfish. Woman have a right to be mothers if they choose, but there are so many other ways to leave a lasting impact on our world. Living for our own bodies is enough.


What was your favorite part of the recording process? 

The collaboration. It's such a different way to build a song. I used to evolve my songs through live performances before Covid. Now, songs develop through the recording progress. I will record a demo and send it to Dave (Brophy, producer) and then he will send an idea back, etc. I can get really stuck in my head about ideas and it is helpful to have other people weigh in and help to push me in new directions.


The song also has a video to accompany it. What did you enjoy about putting that together? 

I had never done one before! Making a video for a song gives another medium to help set the tone and tell the story of a song. I hope that my music takes my listeners to another place and time, even though the lyrical content is always very present and pertinent to today. With the video, I was able to extend that: we took inspiration from aesthetics in Blade Runner, Twin Peaks, and even a little bit of some Broadway musicals like Chicago. Those influences gave the video, and therefore the song, a bit more of a "noir" feel that feels like it's from another time.


Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences? 

Fiona Apple is definitely one of my biggest influences, as a songwriter and a singer. I am also heavily influenced by jazz artists: Ella Fitzgerald is the person that inspired me to start singing when I was studying jazz guitar. I discovered her duets with Joe Pass and started learning the guitar/vocal duets and performing. I think these singers also resonate with me because of their vocal range: I am often most comfortable in a low alto range, and those singers really rock that. I also grew up listening to a lot of artists that wrote about social issues, and carried that with me into my young adulthood in regards to who would inspire my own songwriting: Jewel, The Police, Muse, Radiohead, and of course, again....Ms. Apple.


What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career? 

It's so  much easier now to put music out there, but it's a lot harder to get heard. Personally, I have my hand in a lot of careers, so it's often hard to balance it all! I am a full time educator, a part time adjunct professor, a part time music education consultant, and THEN I am a performer/songwriter. I care a lot about these other aspects of my life, but I am trying to honor the artist in my more, and find a balance. 


What are your immediate music goals? 

I want to connect with more people. I know I can't be the only person feeling these things! I don't write love songs, and I am well aware that those types of songs connect with lots of audiences. My music, however, is moreso the existential crisis of a millenial, wrapped up in nostalgia. Lovely, huh? But I do think that there is a generational collective of these types of thoughts, and musical connection, though it won't solve these issues- it can be comforting to know you aren't alone.


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Definitely listen to her music, and start making those connections!  


As always, I want to thank Savoir Faire for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview (photo credits Sasha Pedro).


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


Thanks again Savoir Faire, and good luck reaching your goals!




Friday, December 1, 2023

New Music: from Trinity Mei, Yella Stone, Sierra Levesque, and Jackie Therrien

 

"More Time" - Trinity Mei


Release Date: December 1, 2023

What You Should Know: "I'm so excited for this one! get ready to cry and reminisce your youth with me"


Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and 
Spotify

Pervious Notable Releases: "Ever Be Right"

Previously on Section 36: "Trinity Mei Section 36 Music!"


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"Evergreen" - Single by Yella Stone


Release Date: December 1, 2023

What You Should Know: If you enjoyed her previous release, "And the Sky Blooms" (which you do) you'll love this one as well!

Find It: Everywhere, like 
Apple or Spotify


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"Run Rudolph Run" - Single by Sierra Levesque


Release Date: December 1, 2023

What You Should Know: Start your Christmas season off on the right foot with this amazing holiday offering.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and 
Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Get Off My Stage"

Previously on Section 36: "Sierra Levesque Visits Section 36 Music!"



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"The Thieves of Love" - Single by Jackie Therrien


What You Should Know: "i wrote this one and it felt like i was emotionally vomiting. Everything that had been piling up for so long just all came out in one big, frustrated, heartbroken mess of a song. i wrote a million verses and handfuls of lyrics that have now all been watered down to this, what you have now.

when i wrote this song, i never thought id release it, yet here it is in all its vulnerability rawness. I’m able to look at this song now from an outside pov. I’ve grown and healed in many ways since it was written.

not only was this never planned to be released, but i never planned on it being a single, either. it was written for me and my healing heart. I didn’t write it with others in mind.

i love this song. it use to hurt me, but it doesn’t anymore.

i hope you love it as much as i do."


Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify


Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Acrobat", "Temporary Needs", "Bubbles (Demo)", "Unlove You", "Johanna", "Night Music", "I Tried Too Hard", "No Parties"


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


Previously on Section 36: "Jackie Therrien Visits Section 36 Music!"


Thursday, November 30, 2023

Lucia Dostal Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 
Music has another visitor! Lucia Dostal
 is a fantastic singer, whose upcoming album definitely needs to be on your radar. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us and discuss her music, future goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

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

I am incredibly excited for your upcoming self titled album. What can you tell me about it?

LUCIA DOSTAL the album is a collection of memories and raw emotions from the past 3 years of my life. It weaves through heartbreak, love, loss, jealousy and so much more. The oldest song on the album, Lost, was written in 2020 when I was a senior in highschool. I began the album release plan on December 16th with the release of Groove Pants, then Stuck in Time (May 6th), Lost (July 28) and the full album on December 8th. 


I wasn't aware of this during the writing process, but all of these songs are in vastly different genres. Groove Pants is funk, Stuck in Time is bossa nova, Lost is pop, and the album itself also encapsulates rock, pop punk and jazz. 


What is your favorite part of the recording process?

The recording process for this album was so much fun. My band and I took 5 days and recorded all of the instrumentals at Howie's Loft on Prince Edward Island, Canada. As for the vocals, I think I collectively recorded them in 8 different places around the world: Howies Loft (Recording Studio), The closet in an Airbnb (in Seattle Washington), my dorm room (in Berklee Boston), A recording studio (in Berklee Boston), my mom's backyard recording studio (in western mass), The Charlottetown public library isolation room (on Prince Edward Island), A practice room (in Berklee Valencia) and a recording studio (in Berklee Valencia). My favorite part of this process was learning how to record vocals wherever I was whenever I wanted to.


You are studying at Berklee College of Music in Valencia Spain. What is that experience like?

Being in Spain has been a dream and nothing less! Growing up, my mom worked as a Spanish teacher so I had some Spanish in my back pocket when I arrived here. I feel so lucky to be able to study music and be in Spain and Europe. I have been doing a lot of traveling and exploring and I am trying to make the most out of every weekend before the semester ends! :-)


Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

This is a tough question because as someone who writes in a lot of genres I take inspiration from many musicians. If I could pick a few people I would say Eloise for her fusion of pop and jazz, Stevie Wonder because he put the soul into my music, Chet Baker because I am obsessed with his energy and Sarah Barellies because when I first started writing songs in middle school I knew her discography like the back of my hand. 


What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?

I think the biggest challenge for me is honestly having a good balance in my music career. When you turn the thing you love into your career it's often hard to draw a line on how much you should be working. Sometimes it's really hard to put equal time into my career, my school, my friends and myself. But I am learning how to find that balance!


What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goal is to effectively promote and share this album with you guys! As someone who is minoring in music business I have been digging a lot more into how marketing works and how I can get this music out to people who will love it as much as I do. :)


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I am so excited for that album!  


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


I'm sure you’ll all want to follow Lucia and be ready for that new music. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 


Thanks again Lucia, and good luck reaching your goals!


Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Alexis Bleu Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 
Music has another visitor! Alexis Bleu
 is an incredible singer, whose latest single, "Summer of '21", should already be on your playlists. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us and discuss her music, future goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

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

I really enjoyed your single “Summer of ‘21”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! I actually didn’t write “Summer of ‘21” with the intention of releasing it. During my gap year after high school, I took a few classes through Berklee Online. The final project for one of the classes was to create a song from start to finish in groups. I was on lyric duty and I did what I always do: write from what I know. It couldn’t have been done without the help of my classmates Juan Canteli (production and mixing) and Chad Lee (guitar melody). In a nutshell, “Summer of ‘21” is a nostalgic pop song that talks about that summer (whatever that may be for you) where everything felt like a movie.


Not long ago you performed at Rockwood Music Hall with Kai Wilson for your first Boston 

show. What was that experience like?

Honestly it didn’t even feel real until I got on stage that night. The Boston location is a great venue with amazing energy. Whether the venue is packed or not, it’s a very comfortable environment, and all the staff I’ve encountered thus far have been so kind and accommodating. I want to thank Adam Greenberg, as he reached out to me to get me on the schedule for that night. I feel so grateful that Kai was willing to have me at his show. He and Ezra Kruzich (another opener at the show) are such talented guys and I highly recommend their music, too. I hope to have many more shows at Rockwood as my career progresses!


And other live performances I should be on the lookout for?

Yes! I have a show on December 15 at Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, MA. The show is called Minifest, since it’s basically just a mini-scale music festival if you think about it! I’ve never performed at Cantab Lounge, so I’m excited to perform at a new venue and meet the other artists.


It is a ticketed event, whether in person or live-streamed, so I’ll put the link for y’all here: Tickets


I’d love to see some new faces there, so don’t forget to snag a ticket!


You just started studying at Berklee College of Music. What do you see Berklee doing for your career?

Berklee has been such a great experience so far! I’m planning to major in professional music, which is basically like one of those “choose your own story” books. It’ll allow me to simultaneously study songwriting, music business, and music production. I can see Berklee taking my production and performance skills to the next level, for sure. I also think Berklee provides some great networking opportunities and I’ve already learned so much from being around other musicians all the time.


What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?

My biggest challenge at the moment is comparison. I have this tendency to compare my voice, goals, and accomplishments to that of my peers. I definitely think that holds me back at times. Another big challenge I have though, is marketing. I am definitely a musician first, content creator second. Learning the ropes of social media and how to get people to actually engage with what I’m posting is certainly no easy job, but I’m learning.


What are your immediate music goals?

Well… I do have a new single that’s not yet announced, but will be soon! So marketing and releasing that is on top of the priority list at the moment. I’m also just trying to get through the first semester of college and work on posting as much as possible to my social media accounts. Posting has been something I’ve gotten behind on, so working on that is a big goal for me right now. 


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I need to hear that new single, like, now!  


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


I'm sure you’ll all want to listen to Alexis and be ready for that new music. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify. You should also bookmark her webiste to make sure you don't miss a thing. 


Thanks again Alexis, and good luck reaching your goals!