Nicky Doma Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Nicky Doma is an incredible singer with an upcoming EP, "Piece of Me", you won't want to miss. 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 Nicky Doma visits Section 36 Music!

I’m incredibly excited about your upcoming EP, “Piece of Me”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much for your support! I am very excited for the world to finally hear this EP, out December 28th! “Piece of Me” is a 5 song EP, meant to be representative of my growth as an artist, and me finding my sound after my time at Berklee. All of the songs are written in various styles and genres, ranging from Rock, to Pop, to RnB. The EP contains my most vulnerable lyrics and grooviest arrangements up to date, telling stories from my life experience. I hope to touch some hearts, make people feel seen, and simply spread some cheer in times where life can be really tough.

What was your favorite part of the recording process?

My favorite part of the recording process is getting the opportunity to see my visions and projects come to life, by working with people that I love! All of the instrumentalists on these songs are dear friends, and are some of the most talented people I’ve ever met. They have inspired me so much over the years, and it means the world to me that we get to create music together! Huge shout out to my producer Justice Balabuszko, this entire EP wouldn’t be possible without him!

You’re currently studying at Berklee College of Music. What is the biggest thing you see Berklee doing for your career?

Berklee introduced me to a world of music that I never thought possible. The amount of talent amongst the students and faculty is incredibly inspiring and encouraging. Berklee gave me the tools and knowledge to write songs on my own, improve my singing, taught me about reins of the business. Through my Berklee experience, I now have faith in succeeding as an independent artist, an educator, and a business woman in my future. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

I like to take inspiration from everyone and all the amazing musicians around me. They have definitely influenced me more than anything over the past few years. However, there are so many respectable musicians in the industry that have influenced me over the years. As a child, I was obsessed with ABBA, Adele, Britney Spears, Bruno Mars, and other powerful pop influences at the time, which has definitely translated into my music style. When coming to Berklee, I was exposed to a grand range of Rock music for the first time, and that has definitely become a great part of my music style as well. 

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

My biggest challenge is just not letting my anxieties get the best of me, and to just have faith in myself, and believe that I am meant to be an artist. Making music is a lot of work and a very vulnerable experience, but of course it is incredibly rewarding in the end. If you ever feel like giving up, just remind yourself that you are doing this for you, and because you love music!:)

What are your immediate music goals?

My music goals are overall just to spread love and joy to others through my music. Whether that be writing songs for others, releasing my own music, performing, teaching, etc. That will always be the most important thing above all. I would love to establish myself as an independent, successful artist in the future and reach as many people as I can within my lifetime. 

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Those are incredible goals!  

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

"Plane Ticket" by Maxine

"Plane Ticket" single by Maxine

Release Date: December 22, 2023

What You Should Know: "I wrote this song my first day at Berklee and it’s the first song that I’m releasing that I produced!!!"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Stranger's Bed", "Heartbreaker"

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

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

Emily Sclar Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Emily Sclar is a talented vocalist and violinist who manages to combine those talents into one incredible package. 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 Emily Sclar visits Section 36 Music!

You recently had a wonderful Caf Show. What do you enjoy about performing live on stage?

The Caf show was an absolute blast! What I love most about performing on stage is the energy that it brings. I feel that performance energy is something that moves through me and out into the audience leaving me with a blissful experience. I love how performing brings out a different state of consciousness within me. It can often feel like I am in the "flow state" because when I am performing music that I am passionate about, it feels easy to be completely present which is a wonderful gift.  

As a talented violinist, how do you infuse both violin and vocals into your performances and releases?

Combining violin and vocals has been something I have been doing ever since I started recording my music. I have always identified as a singer and a violinist so it is hard for me to stick to just one. I love how the two can complement each other. When I record my music it usually starts off with just my voice and the piano. After that, all of these violin parts come into my head and for most of my music, beautiful string arrangements are born. I love having my violin in hand while I sing my songs on stage because it allows me to express the music in a different way. Overall it helps me tell the story of the song better and it is always fun to talk a solo in the instrumental breaks of the music. 

You’re a music therapy major of Berklee College of Music. How does that focus shape your performances and releases?

Being a music therapy major has taught me so much. Music not only is here for our pleasure, but it is here to heal. As I learn about and witness different clients go through their own healing journeys with music, it reminds of why I got into music in the first place. There is intention behind the songs I write and most of my music holds quite a bit of emotional depth. Each song that I write heals a different part of my body, mind, and spirit. I feel that if writing this music can help me, then it can help others, because the emotional human experience is often universal. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

I would say my biggest musical influences at the moment would be a mix of violin fusion artists and Indie folk artists such as Noel Pointer, Jean-Luc Ponty, Lindsey Stirling, Birdy, and Maggie Rogers. 

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

I would say my biggest challenge would be the marketing and promotional aspect of the industry. I prefer to be disconnected from my phone as much as possible which is hard for an artist to do these days. There is so much pressure to be posting reels every week on social media and constantly promoting yourself which can often be exhausting. I have a desire to be heard and I also have a desire to take care of myself. Finding the balance is tricky but I am always dedicated to figuring out what works best for me.

What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goals are to book more shows with my band, release my new EP ( coming soon:)), and to find my music therapy internship site! 

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I can't wait to hear that EP!  

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

I'm sure you’ll all want to learn more a 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 Emily, and good luck reaching your goals!

Coco Colette Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Coco Colette is a fantastic singer, with a recent single, "Grown", that absolutely needs to be on your playlist. 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 Coco Colette visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely love your first single, “Grown”. What can you tell me about it?
Thank you <3 I wrote this song back in the summer of 2022 - I was living in an apartment with 3 of my friends and was going through a really hard time. As the song alludes to, I was falling behind on things like my dishes and laundry, but those were just examples of a bigger struggle. I was coming face to face with growing up - being away from my family and, at the time, working a fulltime job for the first time. I was so overwhelmed and what helps me the most when I feel that way is writing music. So “grown” was born, and now I look back on it and things haven't changed all too much, but, in all of its irony, I really have grown and I’m trying to take each day one at a time. 

Do you see more studio work in your future?

I hope so!! I thrive as a writer, singer, and performer, so everything that goes into recording is very intimidating to me. I have some great friends who helped me with “grown”, and I hope I can continue to find collaborators for more recorded music in the future. 

You are a member of The Downbeats, a Northeastern University a capella group. What is that experience like?

I love it - The Downbeats have been a huge part of my college experience. Being a part of this group really encouraged me to pursue my own music as well. We have had so many incredibly talented musicians in our group and I learned so much from them. A few of our graduated members make music as well, and they made me feel like it was possible for me to perform on my own too. My confidence and voice have benefited so much from being in this group and I’m very proud to be a part of it. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

This is a tough question for me! My music has really evolved over time, but I think right now the Lumineers and Noah Kahan have definitely influenced my musical style. I’m finding my voice in a more folky indie sound, and I am so excited to explore that more. I'm also really influenced by so many singer-songwriters, I love listening to a wide breadth of musicians because there is so much to be inspired by and experiment with.

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

I would say my biggest challenge is the fact that I don’t have recording, producing, mixing, or mastering experience/ability. Because I have to depend on others for these aspects of recording music, there is a pretty large barrier between me writing the song and performing it, to actually getting it out on streaming platforms. I hope that in the future I become more confident in asking others to help me through this process.

What are your immediate music goals?

I would love to just get out there and perform more! Booking isn’t the easiest in Boston, especially for smaller acoustic artists, but I am trying to get my foot in the door. Hopefully you will see me doing more open mics and shows around Boston in 2024!

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Would definitely be great to see her around Boston in the year to come!  

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

I'm sure you’ll all want to learn more a 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 Coco, and good luck reaching your goals!

Kamryn Visits Section 36 Music!

Brian Doherty

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Kamryn is an incredible singer, whose recent single, "Another Day", 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 Kamryn visits Section 36 Music!

Your recent single, “Another Day” is just amazing. What can you tell me about it?

First of all, thank you so much! “Another Day” was written by myself and Sahaj Ticotin, an amazing producer, musician, and vocalist that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last few years. The song started as a pop piano ballad that I wrote into my phone. I brought it to Sahaj and he transformed it into the track it is now, with the help of Alex Cabrera on the post chorus drops. It’s about knowing the relationship or situation you’re in is difficult and that you probably can’t save it but you also can’t let it go. To me, this song is like the era of pop music fused with EDM and House. It's my first release in a few years and it was so fun to work on. I’m so happy it’s out and I can share it with everyone!

I also loved the video for the song. What do you enjoy about putting videos together?

I’m so glad! I love it too. I really enjoy the collaboration aspect, and being able to work with such talented people that can take a vision and bring it to life. I got to work with Tyler Ayers of Revelry Studios out of Manchester, NH, who I worked with on my previous video “Without You” in 2019. I told him that I saw this video as relatively simple, just a performance video with some cool lighting so that the song could be highlighted. And that’s exactly what it was, but the visuals itself were also so stunning. The lighting, the strobes, everything about it matched so well with the track.

I also really loved styling myself for the video! I only had two looks but I loved being able to put them together, especially the purple sequin jumpsuit with the pink/red and blue lights behind it. That look was my favorite, it complemented the lighting so well and the sequins gave it a little extra sparkle in places.

You’ve had the opportunity to perform the National Anthem at Fenway Park. What was that experience like?

Yes! Singing at Fenway was so amazing, and I’ve been so lucky to have gotten the opportunities to sing the National Anthem at TD Garden and Gillette Stadium as well. With each performance, I always get so excited and maybe a little nervous but that goes away once I start to sing.

I remember my Fenway Park performance to be so nerve-racking. I was 16 at the time and it was the first time I had ever done anything like that. I had gone to do a soundcheck at the stadium the day before the game and did not know there was going to be such a delay between my live vocal and what came out of the sound system! That game, I was singing God Bless America which is performed during the seventh inning, I spent the first seven innings of the game so nervous about the performance and the delay there was going to be. Once I got on the field to sing, I almost blacked out, but I tried to just focus on my vocals and nothing else. I think I did okay! Since then though, I’ve felt much more prepared for those performances and have gotten to enjoy the experiences much more!

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Revelry Studios

I’m influenced by so much. My dad is a musician and has introduced me to so many artists that are some of my greatest influences. Whitney Houston, Queen, Sara Bareilles. Their music has had such an impact on me from such a young age. Christina Aguilera has been my vocal inspiration, along with Whitney, for so long. I feel like I have her riff style so ingrained in my vocal palette. I’ve also always been really inspired by Ariana Grande and her sound. The pop music with heavy R&B influences that really showcase great vocals. I totally want to get to releasing some music like that!

My biggest influence for over half of my life has been Lady Gaga. When I was 11, I remember watching her Thanksgiving special on TV and was in such awe. I just love how versatile she is as an artist and a performer. She’ll go from a dance pop choreographed performance, to a jazz number with Tony Bennett, to a solo piano ballad, and everything will feel so authentic. That Christmas, I asked for a keyboard because I wanted to learn to be like her. I was so inspired! I think around then was the time when I seriously wanted to be a singer and artist.

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

My biggest challenge has been shifting from cover artist to original artist, most especially with performing, and being more consistent with my original art. I started gigging when I was 13 with my dad around New England, and have always been able to find gigs doing cover music, which I do love doing and I do a lot of it! But it’s been more difficult for me to find gigs for myself as an original artist. Maybe most of my connections are in the cover music world in Boston, but I would definitely love to figure out how to play more original shows in the future!

What are your immediate music goals?

My biggest goal in the near future is to finish up some of the music that I’ve been working on and start releasing it! There’s some really cool songs that I’d love for everyone to hear. I also would love to start putting together a team and perform more shows as an original artist.

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I can't wait for the release of that new music!  

As always, I want to thank Kamryn 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. I'd also bookmark her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Kamryn, and good luck reaching your goals!

Calele Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Calele is an incredible singer whose single "My Everything" in one you absolutely need to track down. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, future goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll love everything she has to say. In addition, because of her large Spanish speaking fanbase, she was nice enough to answer the questions in both English and Spanish for us. 

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

It’s been a couple years since your debut single, “My Everything”? Any new studio work in your future?

I released my first single, “My Everything,” in 2021. Since then, I’ve been focusing a lot on my studies and work, but I have been writing a lot of new music! Right now, I’m mixing and mastering my next tune, titled “Here I Am” with another Berklee student who studies MP&E, Vera Arnot. Such an outstanding sound engineer and human being! That tune will be coming soon next year, in early 2024! I’m super excited about it because it’s more me. Also, the musicians who recorded this tune are KILLING! Piano: Anastassiya Petrova, Bass: Ciara Moser, Drums: Shadrack Oppong. So be on the lookout for that!!!!!

Lancé mi primer sencillo “My Everything” en 2021. Y desde entonces me he centrado mucho en mis estudios y en mi trabajo, ¡pero he estado escribiendo mucha música nueva! Ahora mismo estoy en el proceso de mezclar y masterizar mi próximo tema titulado “Here I am” con otra estudiante de Berklee que estudia MP&E; Vera Arnot. ¡Ella es una ingeniera de sonido y ser humano tan increíble! ¡Esa canción la sacaremos el próximo año, a principios de 2024! Estoy muy emocionada porque siento que va más en camino a lo que quiero hacer. Además, ¡los músicos que grabaron esta canción son BUENISIMOS! Piano: Anastassiya Petrova, Bajo: Ciara Moser, Batería: Shadrack Oppong. ¡¡¡Así que estén atentos a eso!!!!!

In addition to vocals, you also incorporate trumpet into your music. What do you like about combining those two instruments?

I started playing trumpet in late 2019, and it has been life-changing. I love combining vocals and trumpet because I love the mixture and contrast. The trumpet is an extension of one's voice, adding that extra color. As a relatively new trumpeter, I'm not at a very advanced level, haha! My current goals are improving at that instrument and raising my level to do what I envision. 

Empecé a tocar la trompeta a finales de 2019 y me cambió la vida. Me encanta combinar la voz y trompeta porque la mezcla y el contraste me fascina. La trompeta es una extensión de la voz, por lo que añade ese color extra. Debo confesar que como soy relativamente un trompetista nueva no estoy en un nivel tan avanzado ¡jaja! Mis objetivos actuales son mejorar en mi instrumento y elevar el nivel para poder hacer lo que anhelo e inspirar a las jóvenes.

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

I am a third-semester Berklee student and love it! Berklee was the right choice for me for many, many reasons. I lived and grew up in Boston. I attended Berklee City Music in preparation for entering Berklee College; my parents went to Berklee and currently teach here. So, the simple answer is my life led me on this path. Berklee is one of the best contemporary music schools in the world. Berklee is my second home and probably will forever be. 

¡Estoy en mi tercer semestre en Berklee y me encanta! Berklee fue la elección correcta para mí por muchas razones. Vivo actualmente y crecí en Boston. Asistí a Berklee City Music como preparación para ingresar a Berklee College, mis padres fueron a Berklee y actualmente enseñan aquí. Entonces la respuesta simple es que mi vida me llevó por este camino. Berklee es una de las mejores, escuelas de música contemporánea del mundo. Berklee es mi segundo hogar y probablemente lo será siempre.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences are very different, but all make me who I am. I grew up in the jazz world/scene (because of my parents, who are jazz musicians), so of course, the greatest voices of all time: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dianne Reeves, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Miles Davis. I love PJ Morton, Stevie Wonder, and Earth Wind and Fire. They speak to me, and I hope to create music that makes people feel the way their music makes me feel. I also love jazz big band music. My family has also highly contributed a lot to my musicality: my dad, Danilo Perez, and my mother, Patricia Zarate de Perez, my sister, Daniela Perez, and my little brother Danilo Perez Jr. Jr. I also love salsa, reggaeton, RnB, afrobeat and electronic music. I love listening to and creating all types of music and hope to combine them in the future. 

Mis mayores influencias musicales son muy diferentes pero todas me hacen quien soy. Crecí en el mundo/escena del jazz (debido a que mis padres son músicos de jazz), así que, por supuesto, las mejores voces de todos los tiempos: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Diane Reeves, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Carmen McRae. Y en trompeta me encanta Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Miles Davis, y mas. Tambien amo a Pj Morton, Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson y Earth Wind and Fire, realmente me encantan y espero crear música que haga que la gente sienta lo que su música me hace sentir a mí. También me encanta música de big band jazz. Mi familia también ha contribuido mucho: mi papá Danilo Pérez y mi mamá Patricia Zárate de Pérez, mi hermana Daniela Pérez y mi hermano pequeño Danilo Pérez jr jr. También me encanta la salsa, el reggaeton, el RnB, el afrobeat y la música electrónica. Me encanta escuchar y crear todo tipo de música y espero combinarlos en el futuro. 

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

Honestly, my biggest challenge is that I don’t think I’ve even started my music career yet, I've been trying to focus on studying so that when I feel “ready,” I will have the knowledge to do what I want. I struggle with writing a lot of new music and recording it. I have started a lot of things, and it’s just a matter of taking the time to make an idea a reality and share it with the world. 

Honestamente, creo que mi mayor desafío es el hecho de que creo que ni siquiera he comenzado mi carrera musical aun. Es decir, he estado tratando de concentrarme en estudiar para que cuando me sienta "lista" tenga el conocimiento para hacer lo que quiera. Me cuesta escribir mucha música nueva y grabarla. He empezado muchas cosas y solo es cuestión de tomarse el tiempo para hacer la idea una realidad y compartirla con el mundo.

What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goal is finishing my next tune, “Here I Am” and finally releasing it! Writing new music, finishing it, and gigging with my new band based in Boston (Also in Panama) “Calele and the Global Soul”. Also, start promoting myself as an artist and getting more comfortable with the idea that I could be an artist while I continue my studies. Some great mentors have mentioned that there will never be a time when you feel ready; do it now or else when? And who else?. And in my 2024 goals list, I hope to launch my first EP or album, depending on the quantity and quality of the material. 

¡Mis objetivos musicales inmediatos son terminar mi próxima canción “Here I am” y finalmente lanzarla! Escribir música nueva y terminarla, y presentar mi nueva banda ahora en Boston (también en Panamá) “Calele and the Global Soul”. También comenzar a promocionarme como artista y a sentirme más cómoda con la idea de que puedo ser artista mientras continúo mis estudios. Algunos grandes mentores han mencionado que nunca habrá un momento en el que te sientas preparado, hazlo ahora porque sino, cuando? Y quien más lo hará?. Y en mi lista de objetivos para 2024 espero lanzar mi primer EP o álbum dependiendo de la cantidad y calidad del material.

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I'm definitely excited for new music from her!  

As always, I want to thank Calele 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. I would also bookmark her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Calele, and good luck reaching your goals!