Anna Møla Visits Section 36!

Photo by Holy Smoke Photography

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Anna Møla is a talented singer, and I was thrilled she was willing to visit with us and discuss her latest single, her musical accomplishments and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

So, let's see what happens when Anna Møla visits Section 36!

I enjoyed your latest single “Over It”. What can you tell me about it?

"Over It" holds a special place in my heart. I wrote it a while back and it has come a long way since then. It is the first song that I have officially shared with the world, and I think it is a song that most people can or will at some point in their life be able to relate to. It shows strength and vulnerability as it tells the story of a toxic past relationship, and I still get emotional when I perform it today. But that's what I want and what I envisioned for this song. I want to write songs that make me - and whoever's listening - feel things and I want to show what's in my heart. 

Who/what do you consider your biggest musical influence?

"Over It" cover
Photo by Emilio Subía

I have many musical and vocal influences. I grew up in a house where my parents would play music by artists like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye so I very early on developed a love for R&B and pop music. After discovering my love for singing I started listening to singers like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston - and I still consider them some of my biggest inspirations today. My own original music is also inspired by some of today's biggest names in pop music such as Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. I love pop music and I always seek inspiration on the top 40s lists.  

You’re a graduate of Berklee College of Music. What’s the most important thing that experience has done for your career?

I feel extremely grateful for my time at Berklee. I did not only grow as a singer and performer, but my overall musicianship bloomed and I learned so much about so much. I got to study with some amazing teachers, and I made connections that I still use today. Berklee is such an amazing meeting point for some of the world's most talented and interesting musicians and I feel so privileged to have been able to experience that environment. 

You’ve had the opportunity to perform live, on stage. What’s your favorite part about singing in front of an audience?

I used to be really shy when I was younger and I would get really nervous singing in front of others - and I still do sometimes - which is ironic since performing is what I do for a living today. However, when I was at Berklee I had a teacher tell me "sing to express, don't sing to impress." Those words stuck with me and changed my whole perspective on performing. I want to share stories and I want to give my audience an experience, and as soon as that became my focus performing became my absolute favorite thing. Music is such a powerful way to connect with other people and I feel blessed every day I get to experience that. 

Your Instagram account has several informal videos of you performing. What do you like about recording and sharing these videos?

Photo by Emilio Subía

I think Instagram is a great platform for getting yourself and your music out there and I have made many connections through social media. Not only do I promote my own music or share videos of performances I've done, I also like to record covers of songs I vibe with and give them my own twist. I have a lot of fun on Instagram with my followers and I love showing who I am through music, pictures and videos. 

Right now, what would you say is your biggest career challenge?

My biggest career challenge at the moment is balancing performing, teaching and working on my own project. I sing most nights during the week in different bars and restaurants and I teach during the day, so it is therefore challenging for me to find time to write, and schedule recording sessions, and photo shoots etc. However, I find that working on my own music is what makes me the happiest and feeds my soul the most so it has become a focus of mine and I am trying to prioritize it as much as possible.  

What are your immediate career goals? 

Photo by Holy Smoke Photography

I have many goals and dreams for myself. I have always been a dreamer and that is one of my favorite things about myself. To get a little more specific, I hope to release a full length album in 2021. I have so many stories I want to turn into songs and share with the world, and I hope and believe that my time is coming. 

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I agree, it seems her time is coming soon. Hopefully she completes that album!

As always, I want to thank Anna for visiting, and for allowing me to use so many fantastic pictures to accompany the interview.

I highly recommend you check her out on Spotify so you can hear her wonderful music firsthand! 

Since I know you’ll want to follow along with Anna to see what she's up to, I suggest check out her website, and give her Instagram account a follow. They're great ways to make sure you don't miss a thing she has going on.

You should also check out her Section 36 Music page. There you'll find more links, pictures, and samples of her music. It's a great way to enjoy everything Anna has to offer all in one place.

Thanks again Anna, and good luck in reaching your goals! 

Nora Sheridan Visits Section 36!

Photo by Brian Chin

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Nora Sheridan is a talented singer, and I was so excited she was willing to visit with us and discuss her musical accomplishments and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

So, let's see what happens when Nora Sheridan visits Section 36!

I enjoyed your EP “Nora”. What was it like to put that together?

Thanks so much :) you know it was my first time releasing original music. It was somewhat terrifying but thrilling at the same time. I recorded at a studio that I actually interned at The Loft in Bronxville NY and I had so much fun! The studio owner and I were very close and we had a great time putting it together. We actually did it in only one day it took about seven hours to record all five songs.

Do you see more studio work in your future?

Photo by Brian Chin

I definitely do, my EP has a very acoustic soft sound to it, and I’ve been looking for ways to kind of amp up my original music. Whether that’s with more synthesized instrumentation or with live instruments. I do actually have an album in the works at the movement which I’m very excited about. I have about 5/15 of the songs recorded and mixed. I’ve been working on getting them mastered, and I of course want to get back in the studio. There’s something really magical about hearing the songs you’ve written come together, and getting to perform them in a studio space. 

Who/what do you consider your biggest musical influence?

Photo by
Holy Smoke Photography

Hmmm my biggest musical influence, I first found my love for singing with Adele’s 21 album. “Someone Like You” was actually the first song I learned on the piano. But I have huge respect and admiration for vocalists like Nina Simone, Celine Dion, and Barbara Streisand as well. The amount of vocal control these artists have is inspiring. I would also say that in my musical career my biggest influence has been my family. Both my parents, and nine siblings (yes I have nine siblings haha) have always been really supportive of me and my music. And I don’t know if I would have pursued my dream without them. 

You’re a graduate of Berklee College of Music. What’s the most important thing that experience did for your career?

Photo by Brian Chin

Berklee honestly helped me grow so much into the performer, writer, and artist that I am now. Before I attended there the amount of musical knowledge that I was lacking was astounding. There were so many things I had no idea about. Especially when it comes to songwriting. I wouldn’t be where I am now as a writer without the help and support from so many of my Berklee professors. I know a lot of people have trepidations about going to school for an art, but in my opinion it was the best thing for me. I am a much more confident performer, I have the training and the technique as a singer that I wouldn’t have found elsewhere. Even just having a degree has impacted the jobs that I have been able to acquire post graduation, and the life that I am leading now. I have a Bachelor of Music, a dual degree in Songwriting and Vocal Performance with a minor in Creative Writing. I did a 5.5 year program in 4 years, which is something that I will always be really proud of. And I wouldn’t change anything about my experience at Berklee.

You’ve had the opportunity to perform live, on stage. What’s your favorite part about singing in front of an audience?

Photo by
Holy Smoke Photography

There’s something incredibly intimate and special about performing in front of an audience. Whether it be on a big stage, in an arena, or even just in your backyard in front of five people. The fact that everyone stops and just listens, you have their attention and they want to hear you. They want to hear you sing and perform. Listen to the songs you’ve written. It’s a really beautiful feeling, one that I first felt when I was thirteen years old. I was chosen to sing the song “Angel” by Sarah McLaughlin during a scene in a play. I wasn’t even on stage when I was singing, I was off to the side. But I could feel the audience. I could feel them listening. That was the first time I truly found my love for performing. And that love has never gone away.

Right now, what would you say is your biggest career challenge?

Photo by
Holy Smoke Photography

Really just getting my music out there. It’s unfortunately not an inexpensive thing recording an album. I’ve been working three different jobs to make everything work, which hasn’t given me as much time for writing and performing as I’d like. I know it’s a choice to go and put yourself out there, and it’s a decision I need to make more often for myself. But I’ve been working on it! :)

What are your immediate career goals?

Photo by
Holy Smoke Photography

That’s a tough one, ideally I would love to be able to make a living just from writing and performing my own songs. But I am completely open to having other artists perform my work and writing for them. I’d like to try out more co-writes because that isn’t something I’ve done a lot of. I’m teaching music at the moment on the Upper East Side. It’s a musically driven child development program called TLB Music that has really been inspiring for me. Getting to watch and help the kids learn, and find their love for music just like I did. It’s been very fulfilling, especially while I’ve been finding my footing as an artist outside of college. I also have been teaching fitness classes which I really enjoy as well. But optimally I’d like to finish my album, and get out performing as much as possible. 

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Hopefully she can finish that album soon!

As always, I want to thank Nora for visiting, and for allowing me to use so many fantastic pictures to accompany the interview.

I highly recommend you check her out on Spotify so you can hear her wonderful music firsthand! 

Since I know you’ll want to follow along with Nora to see what she's up to, I suggest check out her Instagram and Facebook accounts and give them a follow.

You should also check out her Section 36 Music page. There you'll find more links, pictures, and samples of her music. It's a great way to enjoy everything Nora has to offer all in one place.

Thanks again Nora, and good luck in reaching your goals! 

Lauren Lizabeth Visits Section 36!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Lauren Lizabeth is a talented singer, and I was thrilled she was able to visit with us and discuss her musical accomplishments and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

So, let's see what happens when Lauren Lizabeth visits Section 36!

You’ve released several EPs over the last several years. Does any one stand out for you?

My EP “To Be Young” is definitely the stand out because that was the first released music that I had written.  It was really exciting to share my personal experiences in songs. That album is really what jump-started my move to Nashville too.  My debut single on country radio was “To Be Young” and that was a really special song for me.  It landed on the Billboard country chart for 16 weeks.  I’ll always be really proud of that EP and how it’s shaped me as an artist.

You could hear you sing your arrangement of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” on The Young and the Restless. What was that like to hear the first time?

Gosh, that was one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had.  Hearing yourself sing on TV is a surreal thing and I still get so excited and inspired every time I get another tv show/movie cut of my music.  The Young and the Restless has been really great to me and has placed some other songs of mine as well.  

You can also hear you singing your version of “Deck the Halls” on the Hallmark movie “A Homecoming for the Holidays”. How did that all come together?

A Hallmark Movie had always been a goal of mine once I started getting into the tv/film sync world. My mentor and co-writer, Shay Watson has been heavily involved with that world for a few years now and I’ve been lucky enough to be along for the ride.  Getting to explore other genres and make all types of music is something that I enjoy so much, it really lets me be creative and versatile.

You’re originally from Rhode Island, and now in Nashville. How has that change in scenery helped your career?

Photo by 
Doltyn Snedden Creatives

I loved growing up in New England and I definitely miss it but Nashville has really changed me as an artist.  There are SO many talented artists of all genres in this city and I think being immersed in that has pushed me and challenged me to try to be the best I can be.  It’s really cool collaborating and being surrounded by people that love the same things as you.  Nashville is just an amazing community of people.

You’ve been able to perform live on several occasions. What do you enjoy most about being on stage?

I love everything about being on stage.  When the lights hit me, I just feel a surge of energy and excitement.  Getting to play my music for people is indescribable, especially when someone tells me they can relate to something that I went through.  That truly is the gift of music, to find comfort and relatability. 

Right now, what would you say is your biggest career challenge?

My biggest challenge right now would be to stop comparing myself to others.  Everyone has their own timeline and story and I have to remind myself of that.  Being in a town where there is so much talent is both amazing and sometimes intimidating.  I just try to remind myself to stay in my own lane and just focus on making music that I’m proud of and that makes me happy. 

What are your immediate career goals?

I am beyond excited for what’s coming up. It’s been a few years since I put out any new music on Spotify/Itunes and this is the year.  I originally had planned to release a new single very soon but with everything going on in the world right now that’s going to be a little delayed.  I’ve got some great performance opportunities coming up and I’m just excited to get my new music out there and play as much as I can!

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Hopefully she can release that single soon!

As always, I want to thank Lauren for visiting, and for sending along the fantastic pictures to accompany the interview.

Since I know you’ll want to follow along with Lauren to see what she's up to, I suggest check out her social media accounts (Instagram & Facebook) and give them a follow. You should also visit her on Spotify to hear all her music as often as you can.

You should also check out her Section 36 Music page. There you'll find more links, pictures, and samples of her music. It's a great way to enjoy everything Lauren has to offer all in one place.

Thanks again Lauren, and good luck in reaching your goals! 

Lyssa and Friends Instagram Live Tour!

'Cause no one told you life was gonna be this way.

Which is exactly how we're all feeling right now. But, musicians have needed to get especially creative. With their shows all being cancelled, they've needed to find another venue for their creative outlet. Which is why Lyssa Coulter started the Lyssa and Friends Instagram Live Tour. Each night of the tour, Lyssa will be performing with a special musical guest for a performance you won't want to miss. Check out the full schedule below, so you don't miss a single show!

April 7 7:00 w/ Lauren Davidson
April 10 2:00 w/ Caroline Joyce
April 12 1:00 w/ Carver Louis
April 14 5:00 w/ Kevin Herchen
April 16 7:00 w/ Paige Davis
April 19 1:00 w/ Taylor O'Connor
April 21 9:30 w/ Dariann Leigh (live from @dariannleigh)
April 23 8:00 w/ Taylor Hogan
April 26 1:00 w/ Molly Mae
April 29 7:00 w/ Chris Ruediger

(all times PM Eastern)

I hope you'll tune in for them all! 

And please make use of the tip jar!