Sarah Lampsa Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music had another visitor! Sarah Lampsa is fresh off the release of her debut EP "Something Blue". I certainly imagine you've all been streaming that non-stop. I'm thrilled that Sarah wanted to visit with us to discuss the EP, her music, and more! I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Sarah Lampsa visits Section 36!

I am absolutely loving your debut EP, “Something Blue”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! My goal as a songwriter has always been to help my listeners feel less alone in their feelings, so my songs are intimate, honest, and oftentimes evocative. I like to say that “Something Blue” contains my most prized pieces of my heart from the past few years. The EP revolves on themes of love, whether in relationships, friendships, grief, or family. The songs are most easily labelled as alt-pop, but span the genres of pop, alternative, contemporary, and rock. Thank you again for listening and I’m glad you enjoyed it! 

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

My good friend, Isa Abadia, produced the EP, so the whole recording process was a fun time! My favorite memories were made in the studio recording vocals. Isa and I have a great banter so we basically laughed our way through, even with technical hiccups or late night recording sessions. I love working with my friends whenever possible, so this whole process felt like a big group hangout, and I think that that collaborative energy reflected in the songs! “Something Blue” is a culmination of the hard work of so many talented musicians and I’m so lucky to have had the team that I did. 

How did you come up with the cover art?

My sister took the cover photos. Her and I are five years apart, but we’re practically twins. We run marathons together and share a social media account (@lampsarunningsistas), so we’re used to working together! I played a few songs for her and described my general vision. I knew it needed to be blue (of course), and wanted to include a grand piano. From there, we collaborated on a Pinterest board to narrow down our idea. We took the photos at the Palmer House hotel in Chicago. I’m super super happy with how they turned out!

What was your biggest challenge with the creation of the album?

At times, my songs feel like my children, and bringing them into the studio feels like dropping them off on the first day of kindergarten! I knew the songs would have to change, but a lot of the development was out of my hands. I touch on this in “Dirty Laundry”, but I’m admittedly a bit of a control freak, so my biggest challenge was letting them grow without being a helicopter parent! Luckily, my producer Isa is fantastic and she did a great job of sharing my vision and adjusting based on my wants. I think we raised a great kid! 

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

Growing up, I always had a natural inclination to the arts and to writing. I learned to sing and play violin, piano, guitar, and bass while in high school, and started writing poetry as a kid. I was really active in my high school’s arts department and started releasing music when I was seventeen, so no one was surprised when I decided to pursue music as a career. My family has always made education a priority, so Berklee was the perfect place to get a degree while studying the arts and working towards my dreams! My best friend from childhood also studies in Boston, at Northeastern, so she was a major help in preparing to make such a big move. I’ve met so many incredible people at Berklee and I’m so glad I made the choice that I did!

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

I absolutely adore “When She Loved Me”, from Toy Story. I’ve been compared a few times to Sarah McLachlan, and I’m really inspired by her storytelling ability. “When She Loved Me” is similar to my music in its emotional authenticity and intimacy, so I think it would be a cool cover!

What are your immediate musical goals?

I’m graduating Berklee in spring of 2027 and am planning to move out to Los Angeles. Until then, I’m going to do lots of co-writing and, of course, release more music! The songwriting talent at Berklee is truly insane and I have so much to learn from my peers. In Los Angeles, my goal is to have a calendar packed full of songwriting sessions, studio time, performances, and collaboration. I like to say that I’m happy doing whatever I can with a pen and a piano. To me, a successful life is a life that contains music in any way possible. 

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That sounds successful to me! 

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

Ceci Reyes Talks About "Monterey"!

In January, Ceci Reyes released her incredible single, "Monterey". It's a beautiful song that I can assume you've listened to multiple times since then. I thought it would be fun to learn more about this release, and thankfully Ceci was willing to answer some questions for us to help with that.

Let's see what she had to say!

What do you want listeners to know about “Monterey”?

I think I want people to know that “Monterey” isn’t about a place— it’s about someone you love making a place feel like it belongs to them. I’ve never been to Monterey, but through them, it started to feel like a memory I didn’t actually have. This song is about the push and pull of wanting to hold on to something, but also knowing you have to stay away from it to protect yourself. I think “Monterey” is for anyone who’s ever felt tied to someone through a place, a song, a smell, or a version of the future that never ended up happening. Writing this song was my way of moving forward when things still felt unfinished.

Do you have a favorite lyric from the song?

“Never cared for California, now it’s a thought I can’t escape. You made it sound like forever, but forever couldn’t wait.” 

How did you come up with the cover artwork?

Since I’m nowhere near Monterey, I had to settle for the next best thing; Miami. The cover was actually shot in my backyard by my amazing mother, Marinet. I wanted it to feel really simple and nostalgic, and I had just been gifted a digital camera, so we made a nice morning out of it and just captured what felt right to us. 

What was the biggest challenge when creating the song?

The biggest challenge was writing about a place I’ve never been to. Monterey only exists to me through someone else’s eyes, so I wasn’t just writing about Monterey itself— I was writing about their version of it. It was really hard to make that feel real without having experienced it myself. 

And because the song is about a real person, I was really trying to approach it with care. I was trying to be honest about what Monterey meant to me, while also respecting someone else’s space. I didn’t want to misrepresent something that wasn’t just mine. It came from a place that was so meaningful to me, and almost felt like a conversation of sorts. The challenge was being honest about my feelings while still honoring that connection.

Do you have any favorite memories of the recording process?

Honestly, my favorite memory from recording “Monterey” is just being in the room with everyone. I was really lucky to work with a band and engineers who I trust and care about, and that made such a difference. There’s something really special about being surrounded by people who understand what you’re trying to say and who care about the song just as much as you do. It felt like a shared experience rather than just my own song.

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Where to find Ceci Reyes:

    Spotify

    Apple Music

    Instagram

    Section 36 Interview

    Elsewhere on Section 36

Ren McLean Releases "Telescope"!

"‘Telescope’ is one of the first songs I wrote once I got back home after leaving college due to mental health struggles. I felt like I failed, everyone knew that I failed, and I could no longer hide my inadequacies behind my accomplishments. In the lyrics, I envision myself as a star blowing up in the sky, scrutinizing my perceived failures through a telescope. Crushed drums and dirty guitars clash with spacey reverb and lush strings to materialize the angst of everything falling apart around you while you’re in free falling limbo. I hope it helps people feel less alone with whatever they’re struggling with, and serves as a reminder that you are worth more than your successes.” - Ren McLean

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A songstress of foresty indie/folk, Ren writes music to say what isn’t said but needs to be heard. Rather than shy away from the messy stuff, she embraces it. 

Influenced by singer/songwriters Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzy McAlpine, Ren paints vivid pictures through allegorical—yet relatable—lyrics, attracting those who yearn for a daily dose of whimsy. Through rich acoustic guitar tones, haunting string arrangements, and atmospheric vocal layers, Ren crafts the perfect soundtrack for staying inside on a rainy day or going out to grab a cup of tea at your favorite local cafe. She wears her heart on her sleeve, prioritizing authentic storytelling and raw catharsis as heard in her gut-wrenching vocals. 

Whether attending a concert or listening from the comfort of your own home, you will find that Ren creates a space for your most honest self to be seen, and you’ll be coming back for more.

Where to find Ren:

    Website

    Instagram

    Spotify

    Apple Music

Elliana Releases Adolescence!

 

"Adolescence" - by Elliana

Release Date - April 17, 2026

What You Should Know: Did you ever have that one person in your life that just literally has everything? Maybe even a friend of yours? The look, the money, the charisma, the kindness, and the talent. You cannot help but be a little bit jealous of them? Even thought you're grateful for your own stuff, you still kind of envy this person? Then this album is for you. Including Elliana's amazing single "Suburbia", the 12 tracks on the "Adolescence" album will create the soundtrack to your day. You'll want to have it on repeat for a very long time. 

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Ren McLean Releases "All I Want"!

Ren McLean wrote ‘All I Want’ while reminiscing about her childhood before going off to college. It’s an indie/folk song about growing up, and how the things you want most in life change as you get older.

‘All I Want’ encapsulates the feeling of nostalgia, complete with layers of finger- picking on acoustic guitar, wistful vocal arrangements, and a folksy string quartet. She hopes it inspires people to look back on their own childhood, hold their memories closely, and to relish in the little things in life before they’re gone.

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A songstress of foresty indie/folk, Ren writes music to say what isn’t said but needs to be heard. Rather than shy away from the messy stuff, she embraces it. 

Influenced by singer/songwriters Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzy McAlpine, Ren paints vivid pictures through allegorical—yet relatable—lyrics, attracting those who yearn for a daily dose of whimsy. Through rich acoustic guitar tones, haunting string arrangements, and atmospheric vocal layers, Ren crafts the perfect soundtrack for staying inside on a rainy day or going out to grab a cup of tea at your favorite local cafe. She wears her heart on her sleeve, prioritizing authentic storytelling and raw catharsis as heard in her gut-wrenching vocals. 

Whether attending a concert or listening from the comfort of your own home, you will find that Ren creates a space for your most honest self to be seen, and you’ll be coming back for more.

Where to find Ren:

    Website

    Instagram

    Spotify

    Apple Music

Isabelle Gitlin Talks About "Running Circles"!

On March 6, Isabelle Gitlin treated us all with the release of her single, "Running Circles". It's an incredible offering that I assume you've listened to multiple times since then. I thought it would be fun to learn more about this release, and thankfully Isabelle was willing to answer some questions for us to help with that.

Let's see what she had to say!

What do you want listeners to know about “Running Circles”?

I just want listeners to know how much I love to create. Singing, writing, editing visuals, those have always been such important pillars in my life and my hope is that my love for it is evident in “Running Circles” (as well as all my other work, both released and unreleased).

Do you have a favorite lyric from the song?

My favorite lyric is probably “I, I, I well I’ve been here, wasting away I hope I don’t disappear.” 

How did you come up with the cover artwork?

We actually shot the cover at my friend’s house. Her mother is an incredibly gifted artist and has so much of her beautiful artwork around the house which I wanted to include. I really wanted to lean into this visual arts theme because I’ve always been very shy and not entirely comfortable expressing myself with words. With visuals, a photograph, a painting, a statue - these works speak for themselves. Many have withstood the test of time and are immediately recognizable hundreds (if not thousands) of years later.  As a visual person, art has always spoken to me especially in its expression of deep sadness, despair, and confusion. This song for me, really touches on not being able to express difficult emotions, and no matter how hard you try, there’s no resolution. I wanted to almost pose as an immortalized version of myself in that moment with what I was experiencing.

What was the biggest challenge when creating the song?

The biggest challenge for me was (and always is) in the actual recording of the lead vocal because I always believe I can do better or achieve a better sound. I’ll re-record lines constantly and be incredibly nit-picky with each of the takes. It can definitely be exhausting and I’ll need to take breaks from listening to myself haha

Do you have any favorite memories of the recording process?

My favorite memories are probably when everything finally started to come together; that usually happens when we begin working on the background vocals. It’s actually always been my favorite part of recording because to me, backgrounds add so much depth and color to a song. But overall, recording and building a song, it is such an outlet for me. It brings me a lot of joy, even when I’m stressed about it, it’s just something I really love to do.

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You can definitely feel that love!

As always, I want to thank Isabelle for taking the time to share this with us. It's always nice to be able to learn a bit more about a song.

Be sure to listen 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 Isabelle Gitlin!

Sarah Suarez Visits Section 36 Music!

So glad Sarah Suarez was able to visit Section 36 Music! I'm sure you have all listen to her fantastic single, "Front Row". If not, you'll want to listen as soon as you can. It's so wonderful that she wanted to visit with us and discuss her music, challenges, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Sarah Suarez visits Section 36!

I really love your recent single, "Front Row." What can you tell me about it?

I wrote "Front Row" early in 2025, coming off of a break from school that I spent in central Florida with my family. I've found that the longer I've lived away from home, building my own life, the harder it is to go back, although I love spending time with my family. I get really horrible writer's block in my childhood home, and that silence has a way of making me question whether I'm a songwriter at all…like the distance from my routine is enough to convince me the whole thing was a fluke. Coming out of that experience and returning home, back to my routine and my found family, found myself airing out all of the frustrations I'd been carrying: feeling stuck in fear, and realizing I had actually been preferring to live in that fear, watching my own life from a distance rather than taking risks and being an active participant in it. This song ended up being the first I ever performed at a writer's showcase, as well as my first single. It feels good to be disproving the very feeling I had while writing it, simply by putting it out into the world.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

My incredible producer and close friend, Ellie Schubert, has since made the "fuck-it take" a tradition in all of our sessions with players, and it was born during the recording of "Front Row." As far as I know, it's something Ellie came up with herself, and it's exactly what it sounds like: the final take of any session where everyone is encouraged to leave everything on the floor, mess around, have fun, and play as though it's the last song they'll ever get to perform. When we give players free reign to experiment, we often get some wonderfully chaotic results, but when we listened back to "Front Row"'s fuck-it take, we found some genuine gems, some of which actually made it into the final mix.

You're attending Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?

I've been so grateful for the opportunity to study at Berklee. I'm actually a double major in Songwriting and Music Therapy, which is an unconventional combination that keeps me incredibly busy, but when I was applying to music therapy programs, many were at conservatories that wouldn't have allowed me to pursue an education in popular music alongside it. Berklee gave me the chance to study not only music therapy, but also songwriting and music production, all while being in an environment where I could explore every aspect of my musicality, including how it connects to my cultural background. Berklee's diversity made it the perfect fit for my diverse pursuits.

What do you enjoy most about performing live?

For me, music is fundamentally about connection and community, and there is nothing quite like what live music creates. One of my favorite facts from my music physiology studies is that when people listen to music together, their heart rates actually begin to sync, an entrainment effect where the heart aligns with the rhythm of the music (the same innate pull toward synchronization that makes us want to dance). Every time I'm on stage and I feel the room lock in, when the audience goes quiet in exactly the right place, or the energy shifts all at once, I think about that. I can't think of a better way to describe the feeling of togetherness I experience, not just with the band, but with the audience. It has always been the place where I feel most like myself.

If you could cover any Disney song, which would you choose and why?

A Disney song that has always meant a great deal to me is "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas. The film has been widely criticized for its romanticized and inaccurate portrayal of Indigenous people and history, and rightfully so, but the song itself has always struck me as a genuinely beautiful call to action, and one that remains, unfortunately, deeply relevant. The imagery in the lyrics is breathtaking, and the way the harmony moves creates tension in exactly the right places. I've always been drawn to the Disney music of the '90s, as I watched those DVDs on loop when I was young, and that song in particular holds a special place for me.

What are your immediate musical goals?

I'm so excited for everything I have coming up. The songs on the horizon deal with themes that are very close to me: the kind of feelings that are easier to bury than to say out loud, and what happens when you can't keep doing that. I want to keep creating and writing as I have been, but my next goal is to invite people further into my world, whether through live shows or connecting online. I'll also just say: we recently recorded our first Spanish-language song, which feels like a really significant moment for me. Many more songs are on the way, reflective of my journey over the past year, and I hope listeners are able to connect with them, and with me. Stay tuned.

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I am most definitely staying tuned! 

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