Kiara Skyler Visits Section 36 Music!

We are so lucky to have another visitor to Section 36 Music! Kiara Skyler is an incredible artist, whose recent single "everything I've Ever Wanted" better already be on your playlists. I was so excited Kiara was willing to visit with us to discuss her single, her musical influences, and more!

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

What can you tell me about your recent single, "Everything I've Ever Wanted"?

I like to describe "Everything I've Ever Wanted" as growing out of adolescence and entering adulthood for the first time. I wrote it as my final assignment for a songwriting class last semester, the prompt being to write a list song. I often think of all the possible paths I could take in my life and where I would be if I weren't pursuing my dream. This song lists out all these possibilities and is a reflection of that overly analytical part of myself.

What was your favorite part of the recording process?

Finding the right sound for this song was the biggest challenge. I wanted to branch out of my typical bubblegum pop and transition into an indie sound with more acoustics and a lead guitar. It took a while to find the right sound, and we went through several versions until we found the perfect fit. It's different from my last song, but I am so glad we experimented with this track because it is one of my favorite songs I have written so far.

How would you say it compares to your incredible debut single, "Different People"?

"Different People" is about a friendship breakup and learning to move forward from a relationship drifting apart. "Everything I've Ever Wanted" encapsulates everything I felt when I graduated high school and stepped into the "real world" for the first time, constantly thinking about my future school, career, and relationships—the teenage dilemma.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Gosh, there are so many artists I love listening to, and my roster changes so often. Most recently, I have been listening to a lot of Holly Humberstone and Gracie Abrams. The rawness of their lyrics and how every one of their songs feels like an entry straight from their diary draws me in every time.

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

I love performing original music in front of new people for the first time. It is always a little nerve-wracking, but I enjoy watching the audience connect with my music. I get to share pieces of my life with others and hope my words resonate with them.

What are your immediate music goals?

I plan on transferring to Berklee College of Music to study Songwriting. While studying hard for school, I am also recording an EP titled "Collision" that I am so eager to share. This is the biggest project I've worked on, and I am so excited about releasing this record very soon.

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I'd say those are solid goals!

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

Alaina Margaret Droog Visits Section 36 Music!

Photo: Julianna McGuirl

Let's keep things rolling with another visitor to Section 36 Music! Alaina Margaret Droog is fresh of her spectacular debut single "Rabbit Hole", and is definitely an artist to keep your eye one. I was thrilled Alaina Margaret wanted to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical goals, and more!

So, let's see what happens when Alaina Margaret Droog visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely loved your recent debut single, “Rabbit Hole”. What can you tell me about it?

‘Rabbit Hole’ is a song about using the internet to cope with heartbreak; whether that be when the internet stalking goes so far to the point that you’re using a Spotify playlist to determine whether or not your ex has moved on from you or not, or obsessively watching YouTube videos like Ted Talks or guided meditations trying to find the one thing that’s going to make it all better. It’s a vulnerable expression of this insatiable need to know what is going on in your ex’s life—which we’ve all had at one point or another. It’s a song about acceptance, and coming to terms with the fact that you will never really know. You lost all rights to their life when you broke up. And all of the internet tidbits, or anything you find on their various profiles is only an “echo” of the truth or some warped version of reality. The one thing you can take comfort in though is that they will never really know what’s going on in your life either. This song is edgy, ethereal, with a mountainous, wanderlust vibe—only this kind of wanderlust is taking you on a journey to the depths of your heart and of course…down a rabbit hole :) 

What was your favorite part about the recording process?

Working with Tucker was so awesome. I think my favorite part was just bouncing ideas off of each other and how it felt like we were reading each other’s minds! Tucker’s so smart about knowing what will really build the arc of the song, so it kind of felt like we were doing fun, musician, detective work. “What’s going to make this sound the best it can be?” 

Do you see more studio work in your future?

Absolutely! Maybe even in the quite near future…hehe

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Madi Diaz, she’s got such raw and pointed lyrics, and also Finneas. Both of these artists push boundaries and aren’t afraid to get in your face with their art. Their style is clever and unique also a lil cheeky at times, which is something I really love. I also listened to a lot of country music growing up. I like Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, the occasional Swifty song, Olivia Rodrigo, Lizzy McAlpine, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and Kacey Musgraves—a few of my other favorite artists.

With your background in theatre as well as music performances, what do you enjoy most about being on stage in front of an audience?

Something I love about being on stage, is just that I feel so connected to the people. Maybe it’s because adrenaline is so high, but when I’m on stage it feels like nothing else exists or matters in the world besides the audience and the music and that present moment. It’s really grounding and beautiful. 

What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goals may or may not include finishing up recording songs for a potential larger project I’m working on—more to come on that later! And also continuing to play live shows, open mic nights, and write whenever I can! 

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Ooh, a "larger project" sounds great to me!

As always, I want to thank Alaina Margaret 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 right away. I would also visit her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Alaina Margaret, and good luck reaching your goals!

Keiyana Marie Trinidad Visits Section 36 Music!

It's wonderful to be able to share that Section 36 Music had another visitor! It's been busy here at Section 36 Music, as we have another visitor! If you don't know Keiyana Marie Trinidad yet, you soon will. This incredible artist is fresh off the release of her debut album, "A Girls Dream", and you'll want to stream it as soon as you can. I was so excited Keiyana was willing to visit with us to discuss the album, her musical goals, and more!

So, let's see what happens when Keiyana Marie Trinidad visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely loved your debut album, “A Girl’s Dream”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much! It started in 2021 when I had to create originals for my debut performance for the Bridgewater Music Alley. At this time, I already had "Fly" written and "Good to Know" almost fully produced, but I needed a few more. I sat down with myself one day and wrote "Mom & Dad", "Places With You", "Bridges" and "Fast Asleep". I had the melodies made up in my head pretty quickly! I recorded them on voice memos, sent it to my guitarist, and then he worked his magic. 

I performed all of those songs live for a while so there were a few changes along the way! "Little 8 Year Old Me" and "Look At Me" came about a year or so later, once I started learning the guitar! "Little 8 Year Old Me" is cool because I played guitar myself the entire time on the track, it's pretty much a live performance! 

In 2022, I went to the studio to make the acoustic version of "Good to Know", and then after the release of my song "Bridges" in 2023, I made an acoustic version of it in early 2024. My guitarist suggested putting both acoustic versions onto the EP to make it a full album. It made perfect sense, since all the songs I had recorded for the EP are all acoustic anyway! The title "A Girl's Dream" is special because when I was 9 years old, I went to a studio to record cover songs, and that is exactly what I titled it in 2006, it was only right!

Is there a song on the album that especially resonates with you?

"Fast Asleep" is vocally, melodically and instrumentally my favorite song on the album, from the lyrics to the violin, I just love it. It feels timeless to me. Though my song "Look At Me" was written about my grandpa who passed away when I was 10 years old. It's a song that will forever hold a special place in my heart! They both resonate with me so much! I feel like these songs mean so much to me, and it has so much potential to mean something to my listeners.

Is there more studio work in your future?

Yes of course! I'm working hard to pay off my loans right now so that I can have more freedom in releasing music more often. I have plans to go back in early 2025! I'm hoping to release a couple of singles between March - July and then an EP in September!

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences growing up was always Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. Now as I'm getting older, I appreciate artists like Adele. I like the way she carries herself and keeps herself low key. I love her stage presence, and her performances are simple and authentic, which is exactly how I want to be as an artist and how I want to carry myself in the industry.

You had the opportunity to perform at the International Portuguese Music Awards. What was that experience like?

It was an incredible experience! I performed for 4,000 people! I couldn't believe it! It felt so surreal to sing on the PPAC stage. It's exactly what I've been wanting since I was little, so I was extremely honored and proud. I shared the stage with incredible musicians who are well known in the Portuguese music community! I even had to walk a red carpet...which was super weird and awkward for me, but it was so cool to get that experience! I always think about that night and the people I met, it's a night I'll never forget!

What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goals are to book shows with my band, and to finalize my next couple of singles for the studio in 2025!

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Sounds like she has an exciting year planned!

As always, I want to thank Keiyana 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 right away. I would also visit her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Keiyana, and good luck reaching your goals!

New Music From Julia Kate, Sofia Devitt, and Trinity Mei

 

"Beverly Hills" - by Julia Kate

Release Date: October 25, 2024

What You Should Know: "It is about falling for a guy from a small town when I grew up in a big city. It questions the choices young people face when they fall in love, but distance and differences in upbringing can complicate a relationship. I feel I stepped out of my comfort zone while writing “Beverly Hills” because I have never written a song like this. I love this song so much because it's my first love song."

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 Kate Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Restless" - by Sofia Devitt

Release Date: October 25, 2024

What You Should Know: "I wrote “Restless” about two years ago now, and at the time I was having a hard time processing unresolved and bitter emotions in different aspects of my life. I kept feeling a nagging bad feeling in my gut and I kept trying to suppress it so I wrote this song to wrap my head around why I felt that way.

"

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: "Sofia Devitt Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Bed Bugs" - by Trinity Mei

Release Date - October 25, 2024

What You Should Know: "I don’t even know where to begin! Making this song has been such a journey & changed my life in some many ways! special thanks to @chloeborsody for turning my pain into something beautiful with the cover art, to @annieelisemusic for listening to my crying rants in between vocal sessions & to @joshbroughster for believing in this song and doing it such justice 💌"

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: "Trinity Mei Visits Section 36 Music!"

Sofia Devitt Visits Section 36 Music!

It's time for another visitor to Section 36 Music! Sofia Devitt is an incredible singer with a single, "Restless" on the way that you have to hear for yourself. I was so thrilled Sofia was willing to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical challenges, and more!

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

What can you tell me about your single, “Restless”?

I wrote “Restless” about two years ago now, and at the time I was having a hard time processing unresolved and bitter emotions in different aspects of my life. I kept feeling a nagging bad feeling in my gut and I kept trying to suppress it so I wrote this song to wrap my head around why I felt that way.

One of my favorite parts of writing songs is arranging it in the production process and I was really proud of how it came out! I’m heavily influenced by 70’s classic rock, so it was fun to combine that with my love of alternative and indie pop.

You’re a frequent live performer. What do you enjoy about performing in front of an audience?

I LOVE performing. Even though I’m always insanely nervous before every show, I try to channel the excitement and have fun onstage! As an audience member, I love when people just seem like they’re having the time of their of their life onstage, so I want to emulate that in my performances. I love feeding off the energy of a crowd and having a great time with my bandmates!

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

When I visited Berklee I immediately noticed the collaborative atmosphere if its students and I wanted to be a part of it.

Who or what would you say are your biggest musical influences?

One of my biggest influences is Stevie Nicks. I grew up endlessly playing Fleetwood Mac records and I fell in love with her voice and storytelling from a young age.I think I’m heavily influenced by 70’s rock in general. (it’s one of my favorite genres!) But I also love to combine that with my love of some modern alternative rock artists. I’m a massive fan of Inhaler, their guitar arrangements and production is why they’re one of my favorite artists to listen to. 

I feel like my music is my stream of consciousness that comes out sounding like a combination of everything I’m listening to!

What is the biggest challenge you face when it comes to your music?

I am such a perfectionist which can be great, but I think sometimes it leads me to feel insecure about what I’m making in the creative process. I think something I’m constantly trying to work on is having more confidence in myself and freedom during the process to make a final product I’m happy with.

What are your immediate music goals?

I just formed a band out here in Boston to play my original music out here so I’m hoping to play a lot of shows this year with a lot of talented people. Boston artists and bands, if you’re looking for an opener, hit us up!

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I certainly hope the band is a success!

As always, I want to thank Sofia 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 as well as visit her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Sofia, and good luck reaching your goals!