“Love You Back" by Cassandra (March 31, 2023 Release)

"Love You Back" is the latest song from the vocal sensation Cassandra! 

I know I am a big fan of Cassandra's recent release, "Business Casual", her hit song "Free Woman, and basically all of her music. If you are as well, this song will need to be added to your playlists immediately. The the beat just draws you in and never lets you go, matching perfectly with Cassandra's incredible vocals. I already added it to mine!

You'll be able to find “Love You Back" just about everywhere you usually get your music like Apple or Spotify! So, there's no reason why you won't be able track it down…which I highly suggest you do. Right now!

Go give “Love You Back" a listen!

“Stupid Face" by J0VANNA (March 31, 2023 Release)

“Stupid Face" is the newest single from the talented singer J0VANNA!

You are going to want to listen to it, right away!

What can you expect from this song? J0VANNA said, "Stupid Face is a love song about having your "person" and being thankful for them in your life."

As a big fan of hers since her debut release "Brain on Fire", I was incredibly excited to hear this new song. Be sure to listen to it for yourself.

You can find “Stupid Face" just about everywhere you usually get your music like Apple and Spotify. So, there's no reason you won't be able to find it.…which I highly suggest you do.

No, I mean it. Right now.

Diana Pinkham Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Diana Pinkham is a wonderful singer whose debut single "What I Would Do" is suggests great things to come. I was flattered 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 Diana Pinkham visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely loved your debut single, “What I Would Do”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much! “What I Would Do” is a song I wrote about a really silly past undefined romantic relationship I had. When my boyfriend Zach Thompson heard it for the first time during the fall, it inspired him a lot and he produced it really quickly. It was super interesting to have my boyfriend produce a song I wrote about a past guy who caused me so much frustration, but it was satisfying in a weird way.

 

What was your favorite part about the recording/production process?

It’s so special to see a song I’ve written come together because it’s always so different than what I’d expect. My producer does a great job at listening to my ideas as well as using his own musical instincts to create something interesting. Before creating together we both made such different styles of music which makes combining it a really exciting final product for me.

 

You attended Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing Berklee did for your career?

I just graduated Berklee in December and I have to say that the people I’ve met are what have made the experience valuable. I met a handful of life-changing professors who really helped me develop my songwriting skills. I also made several relationships with unbelievably talented songwriters throughout my classes and co-writes that I know I will continue learning from. The most important relationship I made through being a student at Berklee is with my boyfriend/producer Zach Thompson. Zach and I make such an incredible and unique team and because of him I can finally see a glimpse of what my future as an artist looks like.

 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My most significant musical influences are the artists that I listened to growing up. Because of that, my parents are definitely responsible for the kind of music I write. They are SUCH big music lovers! One of my earliest memories was my dad searching through his overflowing CD rack and lending me some of his favorite artist’s to listen to in my Hello Kitty CD player. Carole King, Paul McCartney, Corinne Bailey Rae, and early Coldplay are some of the artists that I can surely hear the impact of on my writing style.

 

What would you say is your biggest career challenge?

I guess my struggle career-wise is having to come up with myown plan. It’s difficult to know what the right move is because every success story is different. At this point in my career I wear a lot of hats. I’m my own manager, marketer, booker, publisher, etc. It’s a lot and I don’t want to neglect any of those jobs.

 

What are your immediate career goals?

My immediate career goals as an artist are to continue working on music to release in the near future, playing gigs, and I’m moving to Nashville in June so I want to play open mics and writer’s rounds while I’m there.

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Those sound like great goals!

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

I'm sure you’ll all want to 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 Diana, and good luck reaching your goals!

Abigail Winzer Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Abigail Winzer is a talented singer whose latest single "Good Woman" is something simply wonderful. 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 Abigail Winzer visits Section 36 Music!

I adored your recent single, “Good Woman”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! "Good Woman" was my first piece of work that really reflected me as an artist. It was an authentic expression of myself and I was so glad I could capitalize on that. Growing up, I always loved dance club type music and that style of music really stuck with me as I grew up and continued to dive into my music. With "Good Woman" I was able to capitalize on every aspect of the song and make it a cohesive, solid project, even just looking at the title and how much I loved that. It's a tribute to the glam dance floor scene and I feel the song shows that in every aspect. The song definitely is special to me, and it was a good entrance into that genre for me. I feel like I almost have been manifesting writing it my whole life. 

This fall you recorded the fourteenth episode of your podcast, “Let’s make That Song a Hit”. What was the podcasting experience like?

The podcasting experience was SO cool and SO awesome! I loved everything about it. Getting to interview my best friends in the industry and just have important, insightful conversations with them was so awesome. Definitely one of my favorite projects I have taken on, thus far. Highly recommend podcasting for anyone interested in creating a space for meaningful and important conversations. 

Last spring, you graduated from Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing you can see Berklee doing for your career?

Wow, so many things. The Berklee community is top tier and so amazing, so definitely connecting with all my fellow alumni and Berklee peers is of top priority. I also feel that Berklee honestly made me the singer, songwriter and vocalist that I am today, so carrying forward all that Berklee taught me is really going to benefit my career tremendously. Berklee is the reason I am who I am today in music. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Love this question! My biggest musical influences are quite different in style, but they would definitely be Shania Twain, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Ariana Grande (just to name a few). I've learned everything from those incredible women! 

What would you say is your biggest career challenge?

My biggest career challenge was figuring out who I am as an artist and what I want to say. I have a better picture and idea now, but it took me a minute to find. 

What are your immediate career goals?

My immediate career goals are to keep establishing myself as an artist globally and write my best music, while also taking advantage of every opportunity placed in my path. I also want to join forces with other music industry professionals and connect as much as possible! Building a community is very important to me. 

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Those are solid goals!

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

I'm sure you’ll all want to 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 Abigail, and good luck reaching your goals!

Mori Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Mori is a talented singer whose latest single "georgia" is something you just have to hear for yourself. 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 Mori visits Section 36 Music!

I was simply blown away by your recent single, “georgia”. What can you tell me about it?

I started writing “georgia” over a year ago on an emotional flight out of Atlanta, and finished writing it when I adapted it for a class assignment last Spring. Initially, I had a hard time envisioning a fleshed-out arrangement that wouldn’t stray too far from the original version with piano and vocals only. My primary producer, Kristina Fisk, was the first person who wanted to get strings on this song. I was interested in the idea, but wasn’t sure how to approach it; however, I trust Kristina with my life so we went forward. We enlisted Cam Arthur Pepe, a good friend of mine, to write the string arrangement for the song, and now I could not imagine the song without it. The strings brought everything that was missing, and were instrumental in achieving the emotion and message we were trying to convey. “georgia” was a BEAST to record and produce, and definitely the most challenging out of the songs from my upcoming EP, so I couldn’t be happier that it’s finished, let alone that it sounds as good as it does, and I have my wonderful team to thank for it.

“georgia” is your third single in the last year. Is there more studio work in your plans?

Yes, there is! I’m currently working on finishing my debut EP, which will contain five songs total; featuring “georgia”, and four entirely new songs. I have yet to announce an official release date, but we’re currently on track to release the full EP by end of June. A lot of effort has gone into the project so far and I feel really lucky to be able to work with the collaborators that I do. The EP shows a different side of me sonically, and a lot more range lyrically, so I’m excited for everyone to hear it.

You’re attending Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing Berklee is doing for your career?

The people! With all due respect to the exceptional curriculum and my lovely and thoughtful professors, the biggest thing I will take away from this school is the people that I have met. There’s a big emphasis on networking in the music industry, and at Berklee too, but connections with my peers are much more substantial than the people they can help me meet; the amount of talent I am surrounded by on a daily basis is insane. I feel like I have so much to learn from my peers, even the ones who aren’t in my major or course of study. Everybody does things differently, even though what brings us together is the same. I’ve really been challenged to break down walls of prejudice and the general competitive nature of performing arts, because honestly everybody here has something to teach me.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Every time I get this question, I’m unsure how to answer. I’d say I have a big list of artists I admire, who I’ll never sound anything like, and then an entirely separate list of artists who really influence my sound. In terms of artists I admire, Frank Ocean, Teyana Taylor, H.E.R, Ariana Grande, Jazmine Sullivan, and Taylor Swift all top that list, but my music is not in the same realm nor is it trying to be. The most influential on my actual sound would probably be Searows (Alec Duckart), Lizzy McAlpine, Isabel Pless, Olivia Rodrigo, Eloise, and Olivia Dean. I love them all, and I listen to them constantly. I also have major respect for musical theatre, as that's where I started performing and building my voice, so I think it'll always be a part of me and influence my tone and phrasing.

What would you say is your biggest career challenge?

My biggest career challenge is and always will be confidence. Whether that presents itself in my writing, performance, or collaboration, I have a really hard time believing in myself and deal heavily with imposter syndrome. It’s difficult to feel like I’m saying anything of importance when there’s so many artists who are just as talented and doing something really similar. However, I’ve been really lucky to not only find a team who believes in what I’m doing, but also wonderful friends who uplift and encourage me while making me better. I’ve been learning how to study the people who possess what I seem to lack, instead of letting that lack affect the way I view myself. Becoming a student to those I admire in that way has been really key, and is something I continue to work on.

What are your immediate career goals?

As I finish my third year at Berklee this semester, I’m definitely feeling the pressure to find a role that will make me money. Luckily, I can continue writing and releasing music for as long as I want to, and I plan to continue for as long as it makes me happy. Outside of writing and working on my own music though, I’m currently really interested in social media marketing for musicians! I’ve always been a social media nut, and spend most of my time on there anyway. Also, the effect that social media has on the music industry right now literally fascinates me, and I find myself wanting to know everything about how the algorithm works on each platform. Being able to market yourself and your music as a brand is really important, but I think it can be a little drab or forced, so my goal is to make that process feel fun and authentic. As both a consumer and creator of music, I think I have an interesting perspective on it all, and I’m excited to hopefully find a place within that facet of the music industry soon.

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That sounds like a great avenue to explore!

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

I'm sure you’ll all want to 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 Mori, and good luck reaching your goals!

Josephine Glass Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Josephine Glass is a talented singer fresh off the release of her latest single "Stuck in Your Hell". 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 Josephine Glass visits Section 36 Music!

I really enjoyed your recent single, “Stuck in Your Hell”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you giving it a listen. Like a lot of the songs I write, “Stuck in Your Hell’ was written out of a necessary moment of self-recoursing. I was finally allowing myself to mourn a relationship that had ended earlier that summer and was trying to navigate how the loss of that person was still consciously and subconsciously transpiring in and around my everyday life. I got back to school though and realized that I hadn’t entirely moved on yet because I hadn’t given myself the opportunity to feel anger or any sort of rage. I vividly remember waking up the day I wrote the song on another level of pissed. I went about my day until a friend came over to have a writing session. Two, three hours went by and we had a few lyrics and a basic melody going but I was totally enthralled by this new dweller of anger that I rarely embody as a twenty two year-old woman. I finally looked at my friend and said, “please don’t take this the wrong way, but… can you leave?” After they left I ran back to my room and wrote “Stuck in Your Hell” in fifteen minutes. I sent them the song the moment I finished it and they wrote back, “Is this what you were trying to write for the past couple hours?”. 

With that coming not long after your debut single, “In My Head”, do you see more studio work in the future?

Oh, absolutely.  We are already back in the studio working on an E.P. that I have been prophesying since the beginning of the quarantine. While I have evolved as a singer and as a songwriter since writing these songs, I am really looking forward to paying tribute and giving the limelight to those chronicled versions of myself so that I can properly close this chapter of my life and move forward. 

You recently gave an outstanding Berklee Two Track performance. What was that experience like?

One of my favorite performance opportunities to date. Working with The Berklee Two Track Team was a dream come true and I had such a blast. It was an incredible experience and moment for me because I study Musical Theater at The Conservatory, so, my interactions with the Berklee world is limited due to the intensity and time consuming aspects of my undergrad schedule. But ever since I watched the first Berklee Two Track on Instagram, I knew I had to do it. I am beyond grateful that I was given the chance to show this part of me to a community of artists who I admire and am so deeply in awe of. Everyone at the college is truly exceptional and I cannot wait to see where everyone goes after our time in Boston. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Oh goodness…. I could certainly go down a laundry list of people who have and continuously inspire me, but, I’d have to say those that loom large are: Florence Welch, Carole King, Lady Gaga, Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Steve Perry and Aretha Franklin. I think the reason I have always felt gravitated towards these artists is because their music not only expresses tenderness but confronts the human condition and the imperfections, love and loss that continue to be the driving forces of all of our lives. I have fortunately had wonderful mentors who often remind me that, like life, music is about the journey, not the destination. Music doesn’t leave you with resolve, it leaves you with a thought…a feeling. 

What would you say is your biggest career challenge?

There are two. First, I wanna bring back Rock ‘n’ Roll. And I want to bring back Rock ‘n’ Roll on a multiple of fronts, like Folk Rock, Classic Rock, and Southern Rock. I love the way it makes me feel and appreciate the gift of empowerment it gives me and I really just want everyone to reap those same benefits. Second, I think building a sustainable platform for myself (social media and such) that brings me and my dreams forward momentum is what I will be giving a lot of my undivided attention to post graduation this May. I definitely see it as a challenge worth pursuing though. It doesn’t daunt me.

What are your immediate career goals?

o be completely transparent, I have no idea what the immediate future holds for me. All I know is that music, without a doubt, will surely be involved. I’m in the beginning stages of conceptualizing my first album so I am pretty ecstatic about that. Other than my music though, I’m really looking forward to just being a young person in this world, and giving space and room to dream and construct the life I want for myself, and discover more of who I am. For the first time in my life, I don’t have it all figured out. That really excites me. 

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This does sound like an exciting time for her!

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

I'm sure you’ll all want to 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 Josephine, and good luck reaching your goals!

Get To Know Treble Threat - The Experience

Treble Threat is Berklee College of Music's only all-women and non-binary a cappella group, providing an immersive and empowering musical experience within an a cappella environment. 

Last week we learned what led these amazing performers to decide to try out for the group? Now that they're members, what experiences stand out in their minds? I asked the members of the group to try to find out. 

Big performances like the International Championship of Collegiate A Capella were obviously memorable experiences for some.

Business Manager Grace Carr was in that group, stating her favorite memory was, “ICAAs this year because I loved our set and had so much fun with everyone.”

New member Carolina Daura settled on that as well, saying “honestly, the bond that we have created ever since we met just makes me enjoy everything we do together even more. We are all truly like a family and I always look forward to rehearsals. But I think I enjoyed participating in ICCAs with them the most. It was an amazing experience.”

Another big performance was the A Cappella Showcase right at Berklee.

New member Allie Forlini hit on that one, saying “my favorite moment with Treble Threat so far has been performing with them at the Acappella Showcase at the Berklee Performance Center. I feel like that experience made us closer as a group of people who love each other just as much as we love the music!”

Social media manager Alexa Aronson agreed by saying, “my favorite experience / memory of being in the group was the Berklee A Cappella Showcase. Our set was absolutely incredible, and each A Cappella Group at Berklee performed. It’s an amazing experience to meet new people, network, and hear talent.”

New member Michelle Langelier added, “my favorite experience thus far with Treble Threat has been the Berklee A Capella Showcase!! Singing at the BPC twice in my first year at Berklee is insane, and I’m so grateful that I’ve gotten such awesome opportunities from this group.”

President Ava Panza had an experience with her specific role, explaining “my favorite experience in Treble Threat so far is holding the auditions this past September. It is my first year running the group and hearing everyone who wanted to be a part of the group and choosing who would be a part of it was great.”

Sometimes the best memories from a group experience come from the more mundane everyday activities. The sorts of moments that really resonate.

Assistant music director Amelie Dejean Subirats felt “my favorite experience with the group has been learning music together and creating the emotions behind our performances.”

New member Veronica Bain added, “one of my favorite thingsthat we do together is the improvisation exercise. Each part comes up with interlocking melodies and harmonies. It’s creative, interactive, and playful group bonding.”

Similarly, new member Jasperina van Stuijvenberg said “my favorite experience has been all the times we hang out. Every rehearsal and event that we decide to do together outside of performing is always so fun and therapeutic. It’s nice to be around a bunch of people who understand you and who can give advice! I really just love it it’s a big part of my experience here at Berklee. 

New member Maggie Welch added, “my favorite experience with the group has been staying after rehearsals to create harmonies and sing with them in the stairwells!”

Another new member, Chloe Park, remembered “at one of our rehearsals, we had a time to emotionally read the tune that we’ve been working on, ‘Why am I like this’. We got to hear what that song meant to each of us and shared our stories. It was an amazing experience to get to know each other and to be attached to the song more. I cannot forget that moment.”

New Member Ceili Cordero really summed up the Treble Threat experience by saying, “my favorite memory is when the whole group sang light of the clear blue morning in a circle with our backs turned, just listening and connecting with each other through music and sound.”

That’s just what it’s all about.

While everyone is different, you can see how every member had their own experience that they will carry with them forever!

I can't recommend enough that you check out this amazing group. Follow them on their socials: Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. And if you get the chance to see them perform in person, don't miss out. It's an experience you need to take in for yourself.

Thanks to all the members of Treble Threat for sharing their thoughts with us.

Andie Mechanic Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Andie Mechanic is a talented singer whose upcoming single "Clinton" is one you won't want to miss. 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 Andie Mechanic visits Section 36 Music!

I really enjoyed your recent single, “Call it Even”. What can you tell me about it? 

“Call it Even" is, to me, a really earnest and humbling song. It was written (with fellow Berklee student Henry Patterson) about wishing I could reach out to someone I had broken up with, in the hopes that they might still want to know me. I was listening to a lot of indie-folk music at the time and really wanted to capture that intimate, soft-pop sound that can be so emotional and so cathartic. 

I’m excited for your upcoming release, “Clinton”. What should I know about it? 

Thanks so much. “Clinton” is the most special song I’ve ever put out. It’s challenging. And dark. And raw and honest and disturbing. Be ready to confront your past and anything you’ve tried to put behind you, because this song was written to bring it all up to the surface. 

This spring, you will graduate from Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing you can see Berklee doing for your career? 

Berklee has already given me so much as a songwriter. It’s connected me with the people I’m lucky enough to call friends and collaborators. These are the same people I’m starting to build my career alongside and with. We’re all so genuinely supportive of each other and really push each other to keep going. To me, that’s priceless.

 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences? 

As a kid, I listened to really hooky and singable music. Broadway musicals, Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles, Ed Sheeran. That’s how I started writing songs. As I got older, I dove deeper into the unconventional and boundary-pushing indie world. Artists that have shaped me as of the last few years are Holly Humberstone, Carol Ades, The 1975, and Phoebe Bridgers- people who aren’t afraid to say something gut-wrenchingly honest and make it sound like how it feels. 

What would you say is your biggest career challenge?

I would say finding my audience has been the biggest struggle so far. I’m a new artist, with only 3 songs out. I’m basically throwing my music into the abyss and screaming, “pay attention to me!” in the hopes that the people who are going to love my music find it. You just keep doing that until eventually, hopefully, they do. 

What are your immediate career goals? 

This summer, I’m moving out to LA to fully pursue being asongwriter. It’s wonderfully, terrifyingly exciting. The goal is to have as many sessions as can fit in a week and continue to grow as a writer and collaborator. Writing with and for other artists is the greatest joy of my life and I can’t wait to do it full-time. I’ll also be putting out my own music (expect more singles to come throughout 2023) and growing my artist project with every release. Play some shows, get some people who really care about these songs to sing them back to me. That’s the dream.

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Let's get some people listening to her music!

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

I'm sure you’ll all want to 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 Andie, and good luck reaching your goals!