Mehlani Unveils Tracklist for Debut EP "Hurt People," Featuring Collaborations with Ryan Hall and Lavend3r's John Raidt, Alongside Music Video for "Just Like This"

Boston, MA – Mehlani, ready to make a significant mark on the music scene, has unveiled the tracklist for her highly anticipated debut EP, "Hurt People'' which she has announced to come out Friday, May 3rd. This 6-song EP promises to showcase Mehlani's raw talent and emotive storytelling, with each track offering a unique glimpse into her personal journey of love, loss, and resilience.

The tracklist for "Hurt People" is as follows:

1. Sober

2. The Breaking (ft. Adam Hirose)

3. Anyone Else

4. i believe You

5. If I Could I Would

6. Just Like This

Collaborating primarily with hyperpop artist Ryan Hall, Mehlani infuses her signature vocals with Hall’s unique production techniques, resulting in a sonic landscape that is both captivating and evocative. The pieces on this EP are the perfect representation of the two artists' versatility. Additionally, it is expected to see singer-songwriter Adam Hirose on Track 2, “The Breaking”.

Stay tuned for more updates on Mehlani. For more information visit www.linktr.ee/mehlani and follow @mehlanip on Instagram.

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Be sure to stream Mehlani's latest single "If I Could I Would" wherever you can. And be on the lookout for her EP "Hurt People". You won't want to miss it. To learn more about Mehlani, check out her November 2023 interview with us here at Section 36 Music.

Mehlani: Behind the Music

Almost every single one of my songs stems from personal experiences I have had. Most of the times that I have motivation to write is when I am sad or angry about something, but one thing I am trying to expand on as an artist is writing about the beauty in the little things. Especially in the Hurt People EP I have coming out this May, you will notice happier themes as the EP goes on! A lot of people ask me what I usually start with, the lyrics or the melody? And honestly my answer is different every time. For example, there is a song I am working on right now where I just randomly shouted out the lyrics with the melody while I was alone in my room before I moved to Boston. Other times I will beat myself over the head because I can’t think of good lyrics to a melody that I hummed. I will say however, that since my recent projects where I’ve collaborated with Lavend3r, I have found myself starting out a lot more songs with a topline & coming up with lyrics as I go since they tend to hand me a beat instead of my usual method of playing around on the guitar!

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Be sure to stream Mehlani's latest single "If I Could I Would" wherever you can. To learn more about Mehlani, check out her November 2023 interview with us here at Section 36 Music.

GIGI Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! GIGI is a wonderful singer whose debut single "Won't Be Me" is definitely one you want on your radar. I was thrilled 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 GIGI visits Section 36 Music!

I am incredibly excited for your upcoming debut single. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much, love to hear it! I am thrilled to finally be able to have it out in the world. The title of the single is “Won’t Be Me” . It is an upbeat trap pop type of vibe. Definitely a song you would wanna dance to but also something that could play in the background while you’re getting ready to go out with your girls. I was inspired to write the song after an experience I had while out at the club. Now let me just say,  I don’t go to the club to talk to men. I go to have fun with my friends, dance, and most importantly NETWORK. Believe it or not, the club is a great place to network if you’re a musician. On this particular night, the moment I walked into the club, I had this one guy lurking around me. I kept brushing him off and ignoring him because I truly just wasn't interested. After about 2 hours of me ignoring him he finally got the message. This really made me think to myself, why is it that women can simply just exist and men will STILL be all over them. The recurring motif in the song is the idea that just because I’m a pretty girl doesn’t mean that I want to talk to you. There are guys out there who have that mentality of “I can have anyone that I want to”...well so can I, and at the end of the day you can flirt as much as you want, but no matter what you do…It won’t be me. It’s so cheeky and fun and I really hope people will resonate with the message and have fun singing along. 

What was your favorite part of the recording process?

Without a doubt the late night recording sessions. There were times when my team and I were laid up in the studio all night and I would have to take little power naps on the floor. I absolutely adore that creative energy that forms when you find a group of people that work well together. Since we were all spending so much time together in the studio,  there was this natural flow and we were able to create this really great vibe in the work environment that helped foster my creativity, even when times were tough. There were lots of nights where I would start getting really sleepy in the booth and it was obvious to my producers, so whenever this would happen we would have mandatory dance parties just to get the blood flowing and the good energy up.  It sounds cliche, but magic really does happen in the studio. Since the song is finished I have been much more focused on the business side of things, which is very important, but I truly cannot wait to get back in the booth. 

You’re attending Berklee College of Music. What makes Berklee the right place for you?

The reason why I feel so good about being at Berklee is because of the strong sense of community that I have built here. My song is fully produced and engineered by Berklee students. Being able to work and grow with others is the most rewarding part of attending school here. It pushes me to work harder and become the best version of my artistic self. There is also something to be said about the plethora of opportunities available here at Berklee. I have made more industry connections in my 2 semesters here than I have my whole life before attending. Berklee is what you make it. I have taken every opportunity presented to me and that is why I find myself to be successful here. That and a whole lot of hard work. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Right now I am loving Sabrina Carpenter. I think she has done a beautiful job of building her brand. She has this really fun cheeky element to her music that I am super inspired by. I also love Kendrick Lamar. I remember my older brother would always play his stuff while growing up so his music has always been a part of my life. Though our genres are different, I think it is amazing how poetic he is in his songs, they really do tell a story. I’m inspired to be a storyteller like that and really get through to people using my music as a medium. I also love his flow. It is just so satisfying to me. I truly think that he is one of the best lyricists of our generation.

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

I grew up in the world of classical music, particularly in the world of opera. My whole life I was put into this box musically. Since I was a little girl, I was told that the only way I would ever make it in that industry was if I were to “tone down my personality.”  I studied classical voice and opera at The Boston Conservatory for a semester. It was during my time there when I truly came to terms with the fact that I was completely neglecting my true passion for writing my own songs and performing music in a contemporary setting. Dropping out of Conservatory was the best thing I ever did to myself.  I needed some time to reflect on what I really wanted. Walking away from something that was once a dream come true was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but I am so grateful every single day that I trusted my gut and did what I felt was right for me, and now I am doing what I’ve always wanted to do in the way that I want to do it. At the end of the day, my classical background taught me so much about hard work and discipline…but the most important lesson I learned from my experience is that I am not willing to change to uphold the standards of others. In the contemporary world, my outgoingness and bubbly personality has gotten me so far, and I am so grateful that I get to do what I love and be my true self while I'm doing it. 

What are your immediate music goals?

I really just want my music to resonate with others. There are so many artists that are motivated by acquiring fame and fortune. I’m not saying that those things aren’t lovely and wonderful things to want, but for me it’s more about personal fulfillment. After pretending to be somebody I wasn’t for years and years, it feels so good to put out the kind of music that I want to make. I want to start playing more live shows in the coming months because I love performing for an audience. I want people to sing and dance to my music and just love it as much as I do.  The ultimate goal for me in my journey is to be able to support myself and my family while doing something that I love, everything else is just considered a bonus!

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I can't wait to hear that single!  

As always, I want to thank GIGI 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 to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again GIGI, and good luck reaching your goals!

New Music: From Alex Skye, Elliott Woods, Trinity Mei, and Sayaka

"Medicine" - by Alex Skye

Release Date: April 12, 2024

What You Should Know: "This song I began working on last year and brought to a producer at Berklee who helped bring the entire idea and image to light! It’s been a really fun process seeing this song transform into something I’ve never done before. I’m primarily a jazz and R&B artist and this single definitely took a turn from my usual writing style which has been a very fun change for me!"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

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

Previously on Section 36: "Alex Skye Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Your Soul" - by Elliott Woods

Release Date: April 12, 2024

What You Should Know: "MAYBE ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS I'VE WRITTEN???"

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Call My Name"

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

Previously on Section 36: "Elliott Woods Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Temporary" - by Trinity Mei

Release Date: April 19, 2024

What You Should Know: "this song is so special to me not only because of its meaning but because of all the incredible people who helped make my vision a reality! From the 2-4am sessions with @keeferofficial to the international calls with @joshbroughster this song wouldn’t have been possible without my amazing team!"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

Pervious Notable Releases: "Ever Be Right", "More Time"

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

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

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"Bite By Tongue" - by Sayaka

Release Date: April 19, 2024

What You Should Know: "this song is the first one @madirindge and I worked on together and I fell in love with it immediately. I had just gotten back from my Japan trip and I was telling her about it and how the Japanese culture is soooo different from that of American culture and that while I had a great time, it was definitely an adjustment lol I won’t disclose what exactly inspired the song but i’m positive all of us have had people we couldn’t totally be ourselves around!"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Would You Stay", "Will I Be OK?"

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

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

Mehlani: The Business Side

The business side of being an independent artist is SO time consuming! Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but reminding yourself why you started doing music in the first place is something I try to do whenever I find myself getting stressed out when sending out emails, etc. Something I do to help expand my audience is I try to post content as much as possible 4 weeks leading up to, and 4 weeks after my release. Though I have struggled with posting daily in the past, a good example of a work of mine that did well was Down Bad. I posted every day for 4 weeks leading up to the release and I got so many streams and even made it into a few magazines like the Capital Gazette and the Daily Voice! I did however get very burnt out after that so I held off on posting for a while, but I think something that I took from that was having 1 big content day in a months and brainstorming as much content ideas as I could and filming big chunks of my music so that I had clips ready to post when I needed to. This helped me avoid the mindset of “ugh I need to post again today.” You can view the mentioned articles here: https://www.capitalgazette.com/2023/02/13/from-thai-nursery-rhymes-to-producing-a-spotify-single-glen-burnie-teen-dreams-of-making-it-big-as-a-singer/

https://dailyvoice.com/maryland/anne-arundel/news/maryland-teen-making-it-in-the-music-industry-with-release-of-second-single/857186/

In addition to content, I send out a lot of emails almost every week to different playlists, articles, and companies talking about my music in hopes to gain a new collaborator! This usually works and I have since been able to build more of a presence for my music. Making music as an independent artist is very difficult especially when you are first starting out, so recognizing that music is an investment has helped motivate me to start finding income in other areas to go toward my music and personal expenses. Ever since I got my first job at 15, I have been putting music aside for my music if I were to ever need it! I think it’s important to recognize different organizations/companies like Section 36 that are constantly looking to represent fresh artists. These are the people that play a big role in advancing your artistry and it creates a relationship with your audience on another level.

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Be sure to stream Mehlani's latest single "If I Could I Would" wherever you can. To learn more about Mehlani, check out her November 2023 interview with us here at Section 36 Music.

Ceci Reyes Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Ceci Reyes is an incredible singer with upcoming music you won't want to miss. 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 Ceci Reyes visits Section 36 Music!

You’ve had the opportunity to perform at many live shows. What do you enjoy about sharing your music with an audience?
I’ve been lucky enough to have some amazing performance opportunities and I always have so much fun performing live. I think what I love most about sharing my music with an audience is having people relate to my lyrics. I’ve had people come up to me after a show and tell me that they relate to a certain song and that always means so much to me. My goal has always been to make music that people can relate and connect to!

Do you see any studio work in your future?
I definitely do! I’m set to record my first single soon and it’s one that I’m really excited about.

You’re currently attending Berklee College of Music. What makes Berklee the right choice for you?
I would’ve been happy to study music anywhere, but Berklee gives me the opportunity to study music therapy which is something that I have known i’ve wanted to do for a long time. Berklee has also helped me meet a community of passionate and well rounded musicians, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by people who love music as much as I do.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?
Of all time? Probably The Beatles. Paul McCartney is such an amazing writer and I’ve admired him for so long. As of recently, I have really been loving Joni Mitchell and Taylor Swift! My mom is also someone who has been my biggest fan and drives me to be the best version of myself I can be, music-wise and just life wise.

What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?
I think my biggest challenge is setting a strict genre or style to stick to. I’m inspired by so many different sounds and confining myself to just one genre will always feel wrong. I never know what to describe myself as so I usually just saw “singer-songwriter”.

What are your immediate music goals?

I definitely hope to release my single soon. I’ve had people ask me when that will be, and while I can’t give a definite date yet, I can say it’s gonna be a great tune and I’m really excited to share a little piece of me with the world! 

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I can't wait to hear that single!  

As always, I want to thank Ceci 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  visit her Website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Ceci, and good luck reaching your goals!

Tanny Ng and Lavend3r Set to Drop Spring Anthem "Quits" ft. Mehlani on April 19th, 2024

Boston, MA – Rising Vietnamese artist Tanny Ng joins forces with US-based production duo Lavend3r for their upcoming single "Quits," featuring Mehlani. Scheduled for release on April 19th, 2024, "Quits" promises to be the ultimate summer anthem, capturing the carefree spirit of Boston, MA.

For more information and updates, follow the three on instagram!

(@_tannyng_) (@lavend3rmusic) (@mehlanip)