Colorful Bridges is an organization that, as their website says, “uses the arts to build bridges to a bright future full of opportunities for youth in your local community.” It’s definitely an organization I wanted to know more about. So I was thrilled that its founder, Allison Liu, was willing to visit with us to fill us in on all the details.
So, let’s see what happens when Allison, and Colorful Bridges, visits Section 36
What is the mission of Colorful Bridges?
Here at Colorful Bridges our mission is to make the arts more equitable, diverse, and accessible and provide our participants with a lifelong, supportive community. We do this by bringing free interdisciplinary arts education, music therapy, community workshops, and mentorship to youth of all ages and all backgrounds. We've been honored to work with amazing artists from Broadway stars to members of the Boston Symphony and bring amazing opportunities to our participants from across the US, Venezuela, Spain, Iran, Congo, and even Greece!
How did you come up with the idea to start Colorful Bridges?
Colorful Bridges has truly been something on my heart since I
was little. As an artist with a disability, I know what it's like to feel different and lonely growing up. I've always wanted to find a way to use the arts to give others the community I had craved so much when I was younger. I also have a background in dance, visual arts, and musical theatre, as well as my experience as a flutist, so I am very passionate about the interdisciplinary arts. Having worked at a pediatric therapy office, I got to witness first hand not only the power of music and art therapy but of creativity in general, and how it can empower and give a voice to those who are pushed to the margins of society. When the pandemic happened, it seemed like creating community and keeping the arts alive was more important than ever.
What can a participant expect the program to look like?
Our Colorful Bridges participants can expect quality lessons in the arts, fun workshops, unique performance opportunities, and a supportive, positive, community that they will always be a part of! Mentees who join can expect weekly meetings with their mentor, performance opportunities, the ability to participate in community discussions, ensembles, and events with other mentees in our program, and lifelong support from CB! Volunteers, teachers, and mentors can expect to not only work with some amazing students but also free meetings and workshops with members of our advisory council and our supporters, which include professional music therapists, members of the Boston Symphony, notable musicians, arts school administrators, and non-profit directors from around the world. Our volunteers also get the opportunity to participate in performances with our students, invaluable teaching experience, and the opportunity to be a part of our Colorful Bridges family!
If someone wanted to help with the organization, how could they do that?
There are lots of ways to support Colorful Bridges! You can sign up to volunteer if you'd like to become a mentor, performer, or teacher with us. You can donate instruments, art supplies, or dance attire, or give a gift to help us be able to keep our programs free for all of our students. We also have a membership program where, if you donate a certain amount annually, you can get free merch and the opportunity to participate in member only events! The easiest way to support us, however, is just to spread the word. You can send our brochures to anyone you think might be interested, and following and supporting us on social media will go a long way to help us reach as many people as we can!
What are the short and long term goals for Colorful Bridges?
My goal with Colorful Bridges really is just to have as great of
an impact as possible in our participants' lives. We want them to know that they are seen, that they matter, that they have a voice, and that they are valued in this world. And no matter how big or small we are as an organization, that will always be our mission!
—
That definitely sounds like a wonderful organization!
If you want to find out more, please check them out all over the internet….whether it’s their website, Facebook, Youtube, or Instagram. And be sure to reach out if you want to take part in one of their programs, or donate to the cause.
Let’s make sure the arts are accessible to everyone! Like they are to Karen.
I'm sure you all read the excerpts from Section 36'svisitwith Lupyn. During the interview, she mentioned her Social Impact InitiativeTake Note. It's a wonderful organization, that deserves your support. And, now, Lupyn is giving you the perfect opportunity to show that support. A virtual benefit concert!
I don't know about you, but this sounds like a great show to me! So many artists lending their talents to support this organization.
As the picture says, this will take place on November 5, 2020 at 7:00 PM eastern. There will be over ten artists performing, including Silk, Kevin Herchen, Dave Toliver, and Dangerous Hippies. What a perfect way to spend the evening.
You can stream it live on the Lupyn YouTube channel. And, be sure to donate if you can!
“Hudson Road" is the latest single from the fantastic singer Moni Grace!
And you definitely want to listen to it as soon as you can!
What can you expect from the song? Well, here's what Moni has to say about it:
"Hudson Road is the upbeat- alternative piece with a pop-punk heart, that centers around personal mental health struggles and processing disorders. Taking accountability for your own actions, despite their root being individual mental health challenges, owning up to them and forgiving yourself for it is essential for moving forward.
Oftentimes, my mental health feels like it takes over my entire life. Being diagnosed with ADHD and a processing disorder at age 6, anxiety at age 7, depression at age 12 and bipolar and ptsd at age 18, I never really got to experience my childhood in full, as much as I wanted to. Because of my illnesses and other trauma, I was forced to grow up at a young age. Because of these factors as well, I’ve never been able to process moments or events as promptly as others. This results in me really messing up often, losing friends and overall reflects in me missing out on a lot of opportunities because of my lack of understanding my impact on others or situations. This song uncovers what happens when you have to face what you’ve been running from your entire life: your actions and how they impact others and the world around you."
This describes it wonderfully! When I first heard the song, I knew it was something special. The music perfectly compliments the powerful songwriting to create an overwhelming experience. You're going to want to check it out as soon as you can.
You'll be able to find “Hudson Road" just about everywhere you usually get your music like Spotify or iTunes! So, there's no reason why you won't be able track it down…which I highly suggest you do. In fact, why not go presave it now?
Right. Now!
---
If you want to learn more about Moni, check out her Section 36 Music profile page. There you can find links to her full interview with Section 36 Music, her social media accounts, as well as more samples of her incredible singing.
You can also hop directly to her interview right here on Section 36 Music. That will give you an opportunity to learn more about this amazing singer.
Section 36 Music has another visitor! Shelby Page is a wonderful singer, and I was so glad she wanted to visit with us and discuss her recent single, her goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll love everything she has to say.
So, let's see what happens when Shelby Page visits Section 36!
I really enjoyed your first single “Drinking Again”. What can you tell me about it? I wrote "Drinking Again" in a 15 minute block I had between my online classes during quarantine. The concept is pretty hidden, so, many people would assume it's about a relationship. Though they aren't far off, the male figure in the song is actually the woman's alcohol addiction put into a human-like form. In the first line, for example, she is at a bar giving into her addiction, while "he" is at a coffee shop relaxing because, essentially, his work for the day is done. I love writing in this type of style because it allows listeners to engage and think about the concepts, while also gathering new information everytime they listen to the song. As far as the recording and production process went, I rearranged and soundproofed an old shed in my backyard to use as a makeshift studio. There, I recorded all my vocals and piano sections, and then sent the final version over to Ryan Kelly, a producer from Bar Harbor, to do the mastering and final touches.
You recently released the collaborative single “Stay With Me”. What was that like to put together? "Stay With Me" was a really fun project to work on! Ryan Kelly, as mentioned before, sent me a few different tracks he had been working on and let me choose which one I thought I could do the most with. The overall vibe and groove of "Stay With Me" really stood out to me and it seemed like something I could easily write lyrics for. After I wrote and recorded my vocals and sent them over to Ryan, he reached out to JR SPECS who added in a verse. Thankfully, a project like this is fairly easy to create without any in person contact. JR and I recorded our tracks individually and sent them to Ryan who pieced them together and brought the song to life!
How would you categorize your musical style or genre? I would say my style/genre is a combination of singer/songwriter and indie/alternative. I definitely have a more wordy writing style, which adds in the singer songwriter aspects, but my melodies, voice, and overall song production are more indie/alternative. It is the main style I listen to, so I would say that it is one of my biggest influences.
Who/what would you consider to be your biggest musical influences?
My biggest musical influences are Mac Miller, BROCKHAMPTON, Fleetwood Mac, and Hippo Campus. These artists remind me to keep my music raw and honest while also using it to speak my mind and stand out. Even though, to me, they share a common meaning, each artist embodies their own individual style. This reminds me that similar mindsets can be used in many unique ways, and artists don't need to fit a certain mold to advocate for a related message.
Other than COVID, what would you say is your biggest career challenge? I would definitely say lack of a proper studio is my biggest challenge. I do most of my writing and recording in my room, or converted shed, which allows for many distractions. I love the freedom of being able to write and record whenever I'm home, but a more concrete place where I can get into a focused mindset would be more motivating.
What are your immediate career goals? My immediate career goal is to release an album! I have about
20 unrecorded songs I am currently picking through to come up with a final list. I'm also hoping to get some gigs started once venues can open properly! But for now, I'll stick to my bedroom studio and keep creating!
—-
Really want to hear that album!
As always, I want to thank Shelby for visiting, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.
I know you’ll all want to follow along with Shelby to see what she's up to. The best way is to follow her online on Instagram. You should also be sure to listen to her music on Spotifyas often as you can. It’s the perfect way to make sure you don't miss anything.
You can also visit 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 Shelby has to offer all in one place.
Thanks again Shelby, and good luck in reaching your goals!
Section 36 Music has another visitor! Lily Gelman is a talented singer, and I was so glad she was willing to visit with us and discuss her recent EP, her goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll love everything she has to say.
So, let's see what happens when Lily Gelman visits Section 36!
I enjoyed your EP “Hold My Hand”. What was it like to put that together?
Thank you so much for listening to Hold My Hand. I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it! The whole process was very exploratory. I co-produced the EP with my friend Kat Lucas, and we had a lot of fun experimenting and playing around with different sounds and instruments. We layered a ridiculous amount of tracks onto each other, tried crazy effects, and just allowed ourselves to be very free with the creative process. From the start, the creation of Hold My Hand was fairly spontaneous. I didn’t actually set out to make an EP, it just sort of happened. A lot of changes were happening in my life, and I was definitely in a self-discovery kind of moment. I was writing constantly and it snowballed into a body of work I really wanted to share.
Do you have a favorite song from the EP?
I go through fazes with each song, but right now I think Tell Me
is my favorite. Whether it was a return to form, or just personal growth with age, I felt like I was becoming more myself during the summer I wrote Tell Me. So, when I listen to it now, I’m brought back to this place of exciting change - - something I’ve really been lacking over the last six months in quarantine.
Who/what do you consider your biggest musical influence?
My biggest influences are definitely Maggie Rogers, Julia Michaels, and King Princess. I’m also really inspired by HAIM, their most recent album has been the soundtrack to my quarantine. A common thread between a lot of my favorite songs is storytelling. I love artists who’s work is autobiographical and songs where you can tell the person singing it has written the lyrics because they’re so personal and emotionally charged. I’ve also recently discovered The Runaways, and have a slight obsession with Joan Jett. She is just so badass, and I definitely have a bit of a rebel within me that wants to be like her, haha. I love living vicariously through artists like Joan Jett and King Princess who have the ability to be totally unabashed.
You’re a student at Berklee College of Music. What’s the most important thing that experience is doing for your career?
My musicianship and skills in all areas of music have already improved so much in the one year I’ve been there. I can’t wait to see where my abilities will be by the time I graduate. Obviously a huge aspect of attending a school like Berklee is the experiences and resources that come with it. I think the most important thing Berklee is doing for my career is providing me with access to a community of insanely talented and successful musicians, and all around incredible people. The friends I have made through Berklee are the most kind, hard working and passionate people I have ever met. There is something very special and inspiring about being in a place where every single person is a musician, and everyone is as enamored with music as you are. I grew up playing classical piano and writing songs alone in my bedroom, so music was a very solo activity for me. Being able to now collaborate with my friends, create music together and learn from one another is amazing. Especially for me as a songwriter, collaboration and connection with others is what it’s all about.
Right now, what would you say is your biggest career challenge?
It is such a weird time to be in entertainment. Everything is up
in the air and no one really knows when concerts and performances will be happening again. School is now online, so that is also a big adjustment. We no longer have live performance opportunities which was a big part of the training. Currently I’d say my biggest career challenge is the fact that coronavirus has changed what I thought life right now would be like for me. Luckily I’m still in school and very fortunate to not have to worry about being out of work.
What are your immediate career goals?
I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself, because I want to take this time while at Berklee to learn as much as I can and become the best artist/songwriter/performer/producer I can be. That being said, I have a few songs and collaborations in the works, and will hopefully be putting out some music in the upcoming months. A lot has happened in my life since I released Hold My Hand a year ago, and I’m excited to bring all the experiences I have had into the new music I make.
—-
Excited to hear that upcoming music!
As always, I want to thank Lily for visiting, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.
I know you’ll all want to follow along with Lily to see what she's up to. The best way is to follow her online on Instagram. You should also be sure to listen to her music on Spotify or Soundcloud as often as you can. It’s the perfect way to make sure you don't miss anything.
You can also visit 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 Lily has to offer all in one place.
Thanks again Lily, and good luck in reaching your goals!
Section 36 Music has another visitor! Lexi Mariah is a wonderful singer, and I was so glad she was willing to visit with us and discuss her singles, her goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll love everything she has to say.
So, let's see what happens when Lexi Mariah visits Section 36! Your recent single “SOURPATCH” is just fantastic. What can you tell me about it? Thank you so much! “SOURPATCH” is the third single I’ve released so far, and my favorite. I’d been planning to release it at the beginning of summer right from the start. I wanted to write something with a summertime vibe that people could just chill out to, that had more fun lyrics, was more upbeat and lighthearted than my previous releases. The song is open for interpretation, but to me it’s about understanding that you don’t always have to play by the rules and you don’t always have to live your life the way others might consider to be the “right way”. I wanted to get the message across that it’s okay to change as a person as you grow up or even change from day to day. Everyone has good days and everyone has bad days.
I enjoyed the music video for your previous single “Oh Boy”. What was it like to put that together? The “Oh Boy” video was so much fun to make. Fun fact: I
actually wrote the script for it in less than 30 minutes in the car with my director one day! We had so many interesting ideas and it was a lot of fun putting the concept together and making it happen. The story of the video is kind of like a music video within a music video. Our idea was that we wanted me to keep “breaking character” because my “team” kept messing things up (walking in front of the camera, pushing a giant fan toward me while I was singing, etc.). We wanted to make it comical. The opening scene from the first verse to the end of the first chorus was shot in one continuous take, which was a really fun challenge for me. I’m also glad that we were able to incorporate acting into the video, as that’s something I really enjoy as well and would love to do more of. It took us about two full days to film the entire thing and we filmed in three different locations.
When did you realize you wanted to make your music your career?
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be some type of performer. I was in dance for 13 years when I was younger so I already knew that I really enjoyed being on stage. During the last couple of years that I was in high school, everyone around me was applying to colleges and I just knew that wasn’t for me. I really didn’t enjoy school at all and I wouldn’t have been happy if I went the college route. I’ve always had a special love for music, singing especially, and that was one of the first things I felt like I was good at. Of course there was judgement from my peers and teachers because for some reason when a kid tells someone that they want to be a singer, the first reaction is usually to not take them seriously. I had to just brush it off. I didn’t care what people who barely knew me thought of my decision. My family and closest friends were always supportive so that made things much easier.
Who or what would you consider to be your biggest musical influences? I went to my first real concert when I was 4. I saw Kelly
Clarkson and I’ll never forget how much I loved watching her perform. That concert experience stuck with me throughout my childhood and I always said that I wanted to put on my own concert like that someday. I think that was definitely part of what influenced me to pursue music. I make pop music today and I adore Taylor Swift and Cher Lloyd. I’ve grown up listening to them both and they’ve both influenced my current sound a ton. I’ve taken inspiration from a lot of other artists as well such as Zara Larsson and Meghan Trainor. My producers and I took some Dua Lipa inspiration when we were writing “SOURPATCH”.
Other than COVID, what would you say is your biggest career challenge?
Finding the right team was definitely a challenge. I released my debut single “Strange” pretty much on my own. I worked with a producer, but I didn’t know much about marketing or the importance of strategically planning a release. The song didn’t reach the success that I wanted it to for a lot of reasons, but lack of marketing knowledge was one of them. My career changed for the better when I met my current team. I’ve learned more than I ever thought I could in the last year.
What are your immediate career goals? My next single is literally just days away from being finished and I could not be more happy and excited about it! I can’t give a date just yet, but the goal is to have it released in the next couple of months. I’m also working on finishing an EP to release in 2021. A tour is something that I’m looking forward to next year as well. As soon as it’s safe to have shows again, I’m going to be planning my first tour. I can’t wait! ---
I can’t wait to hear that single!
As always, I want to thank Lexi for visiting, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.
I know you’ll all want to follow along with Lexi to see what she's up to. The best way is to follow her online on Instagram, or Twitter. You should also be sure to listen to her music on Spotify as often as you can. It’s the perfect way to make sure you don't miss a thing.
You can also visit 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 Lexi has to offer all in one place.
Thanks again Lexi, and good luck in reaching your goals!
Section 36 Music has another visitor! Allison Leah is an incredible singer, and I was so glad she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, her goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll love everything she has to say.
So, let's see what happens when Allison Leah visits Section 36!
I really enjoyed your recent single “We Can Still Sing”. What can you tell me about it?
Thank you! I wrote “We Can Still Sing” about the coronavirus pandemic four days after my spring tour was canceled. I was feeling pretty anxious, scared, and fearful and I was actually just venting to my guitar when I wrote the first verse. After writing the first two verses, I put down my guitar, picked up my phone and started scrolling on Instagram. That’s when I saw one of the viral videos of people singing together from their balconies in Italy. For the first time in days, I felt a sense of unity and purpose. Instead of harping on my canceled tour, I started focusing on what actually matters: love, hope, kindness, and family. I had this in mind as I continued to write and the chorus of “We Can Still Sing” spilled out.
I soon after decided to record and release it, and the recording
process for this song was very unique and ended up reflecting the themes it was written about. My dad, Jon Altschiller, and I came up with the arrangement and produced it. I sang the lead vocal, tracked the guitar, piano, and bass parts, and my whole family did percussion. I even had my siblings sing background vocals! It was a really fun, creative process for all of us.
To bring the project full circle, my friend Noah Chichester lives in Spain and has been performing concerts out of his window, just like the folks in the viral video that inspired me in the first place. As you listen to the song, you will hear a chorus of voices, including Noah’s, as heard from the windows of A Coruña, Spain.
The official video for “We Can Still Sing” is just wonderful. What was it like to put that together?
Thank you! Creating this music video was really special. Since I was quarantined in New York, I knew that filming a traditional music video would be difficult and I wanted to create something that would add to the overall meaning of the song. Plus, I’ve also been using my time in quarantine to get to know my fans and supporters from around the world since I can’t see them in person. So, I thought what better way to celebrate this community and feature some of the people supporting me from all over the world than to have them in the music video!
Who or what would you consider to be your biggest musical influences?
I grew up in an extremely musical household, so I was exposed to all kinds of music growing up - from Joni Mitchell, to Crosby Stills and Nash, The Beatles, Grateful Dead, John Mayer, and more. I’m currently listening to a lot of Julia Michaels, Bishop Briggs, Dermot Kennedy, Taylor Swift and Noah Kahan. I find the common thread between my music taste is the use of story-telling. I am really inspired by artists who write their own music and tell a great story!
What do you enjoy most about performing in front of an audience?
Everything. The adrenaline, the energy, escaping the world
and sharing a moment. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of singing an original song and hearing the audience sing it back to you.
Other than COVID, what would you say is your biggest career challenge?
As an independent artist, juggling all the different aspects of being an independent artist has its rewards and its challenges. I treat my music career as a business, so not only am I spending my time writing and performing music, but I also book my own shows, run my social media & website, manage business expenses, merchandise, branding, marketing, outreach, tour planning, and so much more! I absolutely love what I do, but sometimes it can feel like I’m working 5 full-time jobs, which can get overwhelming.
What are your immediate career goals?
Right now, a goal I have is to play the festival circuit (once we can play live shows again) and to release more music this year! I have some fun projects in the works that I can’t wait to share. Other than that, I hope to continue making music that connects with people.
—-
It will be fun to follow along as she reaches for those goals!
As always, I want to thank Allison for visiting, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.
I know you’ll all want to follow along with Allison to see what she's up to. The best way is to follow her online on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. You should also be sure to visit her website and listen to her music on Spotify as often as you can. It’s the perfect way to make sure you don't miss a thing.
You can also visit 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 Allison has to offer all in one place.
Thanks again Allison, and good luck in reaching your goals!
