Drew Alexa Visits Section 36 Music!

It is my privilege to say that Section 36 Music has another visitor! Drew Alexa is an amazing artist, with a fantastic body of work. You should really check it all out. As a way to get to know Drew a little better, I was thrilled she was willing to visit with us to discuss her recent single, "Digging You Up", her musical goals, and more!

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

What can you tell me about your recent single, “Digging You Up”?

My recent single is about trying to reconnect with someone from your past and realizing they’re just a stranger who knows you a little too well. I had a stripped back approach to this song because I wanted the main focus to be on the words and the story being told. I feel like this is a situation many people will be able to relate to on a deep level. One of my favorite lyrics is in this song and it’s “you’re just a stranger who knows a little too much about me”. 

What was your favorite part about the recording process?

I loved every part of recording this song. I feel like my producer and I are finally honing in on a sound that truly feels like me. We decided to keep the instrumentation very minimal by sticking to a nylon string guitar, acoustic guitar, and some nice guitar slides on an electric. It really felt like every part of the song came together beautifully to capture the sadness of the story. 

You graduated from Berklee College of Music. How did your time there help your music career?

I think Berklee definitely helped when it came to my songwriting. I had so many helpful songwriting classes during my time at Berklee, it’s like I’m a completely different writer than when I first started. I also think being surrounded by so many other talented artists and writers is something really valuable at Berklee. Hearing feedback and suggestions from my peers was the best thing for me. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences are Bon Iver, Sara Bareilles, Phoebe Bridgers, and Justin Furstenfeld. All of their music has played a big part in the music I write and produce. 

What do you enjoy most about performing on stage in front of an audience?

I love performing and being able to connect face to face with people through my music. I feel like it’s so vulnerable to get on stage and pour your heart out through a song, and I think there’s magic in sharing that vulnerability. I also love to see people’s reactions to my songs in live time, and getting to talk with people about how they relate to my music after the performance is done. 

What are your immediate music goals?

My goal is to continue becoming more and more vulnerable and open in my music. I want to reach people and have them feel understood through my songs. I’m going to continue developing my sound and find myself through my writing/production. 

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That is definitely a great goal. Can always support being true to yourself!

As always, I want to thank Drew 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. And, be sure to listen to "Digging You Up" wherever you usually find your music.

Thanks again Drew Alexa, and good luck reaching your goals!

New Music from Lucia Dostal, Drew Alexa, Sierra Levesque, and Mehlani!

"Marlborough St" - by Lucia Dostal

Release Date: September 27, 2023

What You Should Know: I'm sure you loved her self titled album, so you're going to love this song as well!

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Other Noteworty Releases: Lucia Dostal

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

Previously on Section 36: "Lucia Dostal Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Digging You Up" - by Drew Alexa

Release Date - September 28, 2024

What You Should Know: "[Digging You Up] is about trying to reconnect with someone from your past and realizing they’re just a stranger who knows you a little too well. I had a stripped back approach to this song because I wanted the main focus to be on the words and the story being told. I feel like this is a situation many people will be able to relate to on a deep level."

Find It: Everywhere, like Spotify

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"Authority" - Single by Sierra Levesque

Release Date: September 24, 2024

What You Should Know: Another in a long line of hits from this incredible artist.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "U ARE MY DRUG", "Wrong About You", "Get Off My Stage", "Run Run Rudolph"

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "What 2023 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36", "It's Christmas in Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Sierra Levesque Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Hurt People" - by Mehlani 

Release Date: September 27, 2024

What You Should Know: The one you've been waiting for is well worth the wait.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Blood Money"

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

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

Fayona Matisse, CEO of Matisse Records, Visits Section 36 Music!

Fayona Matisse has visited Section 36 before to discuss her music. This time, she's returning as founder and CEO of her own label, Matisse Records. I was excited she was willing to talk to us a little bit about her company. I'm sure you'll love to hear what she has to say.

So, let’s see what happens when Fayona Matisse visits Section 36 Music!

What can you tell me about your label, “Matisse Records”?

Matisse Records is a developing label that I started back in 2022 but due to me being a full time student, I had to take a step back until Summer 2024. I am building my company on three premises; integrity when it comes to artist contracts, promoting live musicians, songwriters and demoting the use of AI, and promoting diversity in local and major music charts that are not solely driven by songs that blow up on social media. Matisse Records comes from my stage name: Fayona Matisse which was inspired by my father's DJ name when I was younger, who in turn, was inspired by Henri Matisse the famous french abstract painter. Matisse Records provides at the moment, three different services: Marketing services, Songwriting services and Management services. All can be found on our instagram page @matisserecordsofficial. We will be creating a fully fledged website in the coming months hopefully by the end of December.

What made you decide to start that venture?

I’ve known for quite some time that I wanted to create my own company. I come from a family of entrepreneurs who opened up their own business from a family law firm to a yoga studio, to a jewish preschool to an OT practice. I wanted to follow in my family’s footsteps but I wanted to enter the music industry and know that I would have a stable job while I’d perform on the side. I didn’t know it would be a record label until my freshman year of college. I was in a class (I honestly forget which one) and we were all talking about the events of the music industry at the time and a lot of students were saying how they don’t trust labels and their business dealings and I wanted to change that because there can be trust between labels and artists and it’s important to create a healthy relationship for future companies. 

What do you look for in an artist to work with?

I look for rising independent artists that would take a chance with a developing label and a woman who dreams big. I also want artists who aren’t your usual popstars. I’d be thrilled to have popstars on my roster but I’m also looking for more diverse bands and artists such as those whose genres are swing, 50s rock and roll, 80s classic rock, afro cuban, celtic, traditional cultural music and so many other genres including hip hop and even country and classical. I want to see musicians with a passion to being a new genre of music to the top charts and do something amazing with new minds and bringing back “obscure” genres not only to blow up on social media there but to release it to the world and do something good with it as well as educate future generations of artists and develop their idea of music. I want someone with passion and someone who loves music because of how they can make it theirs. 

What short or long-term goals do you have for Matisse Records?

These are the goals that I know that I can achieve but I do hope to add to this list in the next year or so. My short term goals for the next 1-5 years are to gain 50 clients and even have my own office floor in NYC or in Boston. I also hope to have more services available such as recording services and copyright law services. My long term goals for the next 10-15 years are to have an entire headquarters set up in Boston with an office in NYC and overseas in Paris; have a max of 150 artists on my roster, and be one of the leading companies in the music industry with a diverse music chart that has changed the music industry in a positive way that diminishes the use of AI in aspects of songwriting and instrumentation while promoting live musicians along with creative recording ideas. 

What has surprised you the most about starting the company?

What surprised me the most when starting my company was how much support I got from people even before anything was really up and running. It was awesome to hear that people were interested and asking questions, but it was a bit disheartening when those conversations didn’t always lead to action or follow-ups. Still, I’m really grateful for the friends and potential clients who are sticking with me. Their support, even if it hasn’t always been directly actionable, keeps me motivated and reminds me to keep pushing forward.

What has been the most challenging aspect about starting Matisse Records?

So far, the most challenging aspect about starting my company is coming up with content that directly relates to the journey of my label and being unique from all other startups. I have an amazing partner who is very knowledgeable on social media and as a Berklee student, I take all that I can and bring from my classes to the label side of the table. But with mental blocks and other obstacles and obligations, I have had to put a lot of my label’s work to the side to keep up with everything. But with the lessening of my workload these past couple of weeks, I am now planning new content for the season and I hope to gain more confidence in my abilities and in my audience’s reception. 

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Can definitely understand those challenges. But, hopefully we can all help her reach her goals!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Fayona for doing this interview. 

I'm sure that after reading this, you may want to find out even more about Matisse Records and everything Fayona has going on. I would definitely suggest following the Matisse Records Instagram account so you don't miss a thing. 

And, if you talk to Fayona don’t forget to tell her you saw her on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again Fayona!

Behind the Scenes of "TENSION HIGH" by Alexa Name

TENSION HIGH was one of the four original songs that I was going to make with Lavend3r that were for my capstone project at Berklee. My capstone project was an EP and the four songs were going to be GODDAMN BABY!, UNAWARE, TENSION HIGH, and another one I won’t say right now because I have not released it yet (it’s coming soon). But, yeah, TENSION HIGH was one of the four originals. The thing is we started recording those, and they were so good, in our opinion they were great, so we just kept recording more and more and more things. We ended up tossing the EP in a way and just made a ton of songs that will eventually be an album. 

 

TENSION HIGH was the third or fourth song that I made with Lavend3r, and that I had ever recorded in a studio. So I was way more comfortable at that point. I remember the first song I made with Lavend3r I was still kind of unsure of like where to put ad-libs or was unsure where to speak up about what I want and what I don’t want and the whole thing. I was still learning, and TENSION HIGH definitely felt more comfortable. A big thing, for example, that I remember that I felt super comfortable with was in the second verse and in the chorus you can hear some breaths that are off beat in the background. I felt that those were really cool and my friend John didn’t want them, but I fought for them. And I’m so glad that I did because I really love them. And you can really hear them more on the live track where my lead vocals are not there. But it’s really cool. I played the live track the other day for my friends and they were like “Oh my god! They’re so cool!” and I was so proud. 

The song is about that situationship I talk about in UNAWARE and GODDAMN BABY! as well. I was in a class at Berklee, a songwriting class that I had to write a song for every week. And it could be about anything. At that point while I was taking the class I had that situationship so that was my inspiration at the time. My songs were basically my diary and I would write a song every week about what was happening. And TENSION HIGH at that point, every time I saw my situationship I felt the vibes…you know, the vibes. I felt them and felt that they wanted to say something and they didn’t and it was the same with me, right? It was more like, we’re in the same friend group, we don’t want to ruin anything. At the same time there’s something there and I would think about that person every time I wasn’t with them, and that’s why the chorus says “I’ll be thinking about you in the middle of the night”. The cool part about the song, in my opinion, is that it goes from my perspective to their perspective. That’s why the second chorus instead of saying I it says you…like "you’ll be thinking about me in the middle of the night” because the tension was there with the both of us. 
 

It was really fun to record the song. I made the song with Lavend3r and Zani, who is an exceptional musician. They helped me build the song into what it is. Every song I made with Lavend3r, except for one we haven’t released yet, I always came in with the chords, the lyrics, the melody, everything and then John, Nicco and Zani would help me build them up. TENSION HIGH was a really really fun one. I wanted it to be rhythmic and bass heavy, which is why it starts with the bass. It starts simple instrumentally and it builds up over time and it’s really cool. 

The photoshoot was really fun. I did the photoshoot with my manager Patricio Luna who’s also an amazing photographer. He does concert photography and he’s incredible. We kind of put a projector saying “tension high” everywhere and he added some eyes that were really sexy and cool. The vibe was like all red and it was really really cool. I also had a couple more friends there during the photoshoot who were in charge of lighting and audio. So they would basically play any song that they felt would inspire me to be sexy for the shoot which was so funny. And they pointed at me with red lights the whole time which were quite intense, I’m not going to lie, but it was fun. 
 

Releasing the song has been really really fun. I love it. I think it’s a very summer vibe song and I really hope you love it too. I hope you love it as much as I do. And if you’re going through the same thing as I did at the time I hope you connect with the song and it’s a release and you know you’re not alone and it’s a human experience. And yeah I hope you just dance to it, vibe to it, let you use the song to help you get through it. You know what I mean. I hope you love the song as much as I do.

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I want to thank Alexa for taking the time to share this story with us. 

Be sure to follow Alexa on Instagram, and Spotify. And, be sure to listen to "TENSION HIGH" wherever you usually find your music.

Thanks again Alexa!

How Heart Failure Impacted My Music - by Priscilla Ariana

I began feeling sick a month after having COVID. I remember being so tired. I did not leave my bed thinking that healing works best when we sleep but grew frustrated as the days went on since I was only growing sicker. My temperature was rising every day up until 105 and wouldn’t go down. I had a sore throat which led us to thinking it was strep but the test came negative, then ran more tests yet they all came out negative. My parents were changing my sheets that I would sweat through so then they started bringing towels and changing them underneath me. I went to the doctor who told me how my potassium level was low and that the reason my temperature wasn’t going down was because I wasn’t allowing my body to fight by taking the Tylenol. Considering this, the doctor insisted that I stop taking Tylenol and instead  allow my body to fight the virus. So, that is what I did.  

The next night after this instruction I remember watching Soul in my mothers bedroom except when the movie had finished I recall asking my mom “what just happened? I was watching the movie but don’t remember anything.” It turns out I wasn't present for the movie at all. My mom was spooked and called my aunt who was a past nurse and she asked how my breathing was. My mom then had me blow into this breathing instrument my eldest brother used in the past and I could barely lift the ball within it. My aunt said “Lisa, bring Priscilla to the ER right now.” Back to the ER my parents and I went although they could only go so far since COVID restrictions were in order.  

I remember laying down in the ER looking up to the ceiling overhearing the doctor say “your heart is at 30%, you have a very low blood pressure, and pneumonia.” I found out later from my mom how the doctors told her, “we will do the best we can.'' which led her to get to the car and start bawling her eyes out while holding my fathers hand. After hearing the news from the doctor I remember drowning out all of the noise in the room. I paused, closed my eyes and had a moment in prayer.  When I began praying  I immediately felt bad because I have not been praying as consistently as usual. 

The thought that followed was that God knew my heart and intention and knew that I was sorry. While in prayer I thought to myself how thankful I was for all that I have lived through unknowing of what the next 10 minutes would consist of. It was a signifying moment where I disattached and surrendered. Before this moment my greatest fear was death. 

After some time spent in the ICU I was finally able to go home. Although, this time I wasn’t the same Priscilla, at all. My dad wheeled me out and then I stood up, walked and remembered feeling the cold air that I was dreaming of while looking out of the hospital room window. Stepping on the curb to the car I remember almost falling, losing my balance, even talking I would have to take pauses. I was very fragile. After arriving home I walked super slowly up the stairs to my bedroom with my dad behind making sure I didn’t fall down.

Immediately my mindset was more alert than ever. Even in the ICU I was still attending Zoom classes. This was such a blessing especially since most of my classes were Songwriting during my senior year so while going through all of this I was transferring all of my emotion into song. 

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I want to thank Priscilla for taking the time to share this story with us. 

Be sure to follow Priscilla on Instagram, and Spotify. And, be sure to listen to "Cherry Blossoms" wherever you usually find your music.

Thanks again Priscilla!

New Music From Kilough, Jessica Woodlee, Riley Wells, Alexis Bleu, SARIKA, Julia Adrian, Andie Mechanic, Anna May, Gracie Modean, Aysha Luzia, and JØRDYN

"I Know You're Listening" - by Kilough

Release Date: August 2, 2024

What You Should Know: Another fantastic song from this artist.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "States Between"

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

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

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"Jess" - by Jessica Woodlee

Release Date - August 16, 2024

What You Should Know: "This album has been years in the making and I’m so glad that it’s finally yours."

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Rainy Day", "Dude", "Whiskey", "By Now", "Dairy Aisle"

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "What 2023 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Jessica Woodlee Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"heaven is a kiss" - by Riley Wells

Release Date - August 9, 2024

What You Should Know: Another wonderful addition to her must-listen music catalog

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Lilith", "I Am"

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

Previously on Section 36: "Riley Wells Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Self Sabatoge" - by Alexis Bleu

Release Date - Aug 16, 2024

What You Should Know: "Self Sabotage is a new sound for me, and I love it! I hope you guys love it too"

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

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

Previously on Section 36: "Alexis Bleu Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"From Inside the House" - by SARIKA

Release Date: August 16, 2024

What You Should Know: "this song is a diss track about the person who bullied you in high school meanwhile their instagram bio is “always be kind❣️”… the most selfish person you’ve ever met who’s always saying they need to start putting themselves first... a performative hypocrite who is constantly preaching and rarely self reflecting. someone’s gotta tell them they’re the villain bc you know their therapist isn’t going to!!"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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

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

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"Potential" - by Julia Adrian

Release Date: August 30, 2024

What You Should Know: "it’s potentially my favorite song I’ve created so far and I am very excited for you to hear it"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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

Previously on Section 36: "Julia Adrian Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Boys" - by Andie Mechanic

Release Date: August 30, 2024

What You Should Know: "I’ve been avoiding men like the plagues of Egypt since I was probably 13 years old. The lengths I went to to not have to touch one genuinely astounds me to this day.

As the story goes, in 2022 I got ma-ha-ssively drunk and stoned with my brothers before going to Fenway Park for a baseball game. We were walking through the stadium when I randomly started freaking the literal fuck out, so I ran to the bathroom to hide. Then I pulled up my phone and just started typing.

That’s when I realized what I had been doing my entire life."

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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

Previously on Section 36: "Andie Mechanic Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"The Show" - by Anna May

Release Date: August 26, 2024

What You Should Know: "I am performing September 7 in Brookline at Village Social Cocktail Club"

Find It: Everywhere, like Bandcamp

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"Roof" - by Gracie Modean

Release Date: September 6, 2024

What You Should Know: "This first single from Gracie is definitely one you won't want to miss!"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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

Previously on Section 36: "Gracie Modean Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Cocaine Kiss" - by Aysha Luzia

Release Date: September 6, 2024

What You Should Know: "Ahhhhhh I’m so excited to FINALLY announce my debut single Cocaine Kiss out September 6th!!!!
So much blood, sweat, and tears in the project!"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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"Wake Up (not quite a woman)" - by JØRDYN

Release Date: September 6, 2024

What You Should Know: "Another amazing song from this artist"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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

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