Angelina Cara Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Angelina Cara is a fantastic artist with a recent single, "Round 2", that I can't stop listening to. I am so excited that she was willing to visit with us to discuss the single and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

I really enjoy your recent single, “Round 2”. What can you tell me about it?

"Round 2" is a song about fun, girly, rekindled romance. It's unserious and playful and based on a personal rekindled romantic experience I had. During that experience, I was really into Magdalena Bay. I adored their production, so I wanted to channel that super girly, electric feel into my music and see where that would take me. I wanted the song to be a celebration of the feelings I felt and the simple pleasure of having young romance in life.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

I think my favorite memory would have to be when I decided I wanted to collaborate with my friend Melany Sanchez on the track. Early on I knew I wanted to have some kind of feature in the second half of the song because I couldn't personally think of something else I could add to make the track pop. I knew I wanted something fast and rhythmic, and my first thought was a rap. I looked into the idea of finding a female rapper to feature but didn't find much success in that. Flash forward to around 6 maybe 7 months later, I've taken a break from the song but relistened to it after showing it to my new close friend Melany, who makes Latin Fusion music. We were showing each other some of our upcoming projects and random recordings, and she showed me this one recording she did of a freestyle for fun, and I adored it. That sparked the idea for me that I should have her featured, and we proceeded to record her verse in Detroit in the upcoming months. It was the best impulsive decision I made for the song.

How would you say that release compares to your earlier offering, “Silence”?

This track is definitely very different from "Silence," and that was intentional. "Silence" is gritty, dark, and punchy while "Round 2" is girly, pink, and bubbly. I wanted "Round 2" to be as obnoxiously girly as possible, kind of like Doja Cat’s track “Agora Hills”. As an artist who grew up listening to many different types of music, that reflects in my creations. I strive to experiment with genre and play with every and any sound I could possibly imagine. You’ll see even more variation in my upcoming works :)

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Well, to mention a few of my recent favorite and most inspiring famous artists would be Magdalena Bay, Glass Animals, Thundercat, Sammy Rae and The Friends, and many many more. But truly, I think the people who influence my music the most are my friends and collaborators. Especially at Berklee I’m surrounded by incredible talent, and because of that I find myself constantly finding new ways of creating, fresh sounds, and new perspectives.

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Definitely balancing everything. Being a smaller independent artist means you are your own manager, booking agent, marketer, all while still creating the art. It can be quite overwhelming if you’re not careful with your planning and time management. I’ve definitely grown a lot this past year with balancing myself, but I’m still learning and growing every day.

What are your immediate musical goals?

My most recent immediate musical goal is to be gigging and performing more. In Valencia I had the opportunity to do a 30 minute original set at “Un Lago De Conciertos” which is an outdoor music series Berklee Valencia does next to the park near campus. It was such a rewarding experience, and I have plans to do many more performances in Boston this upcoming year.

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More music would definitely be a good thing!

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

Marin Clarisse Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Marin Clarisse is a wonderful singer whose upcoming single, "Moral Bankruptcy", is one that needs to be on your radar. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us to discuss the single and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

I am incredibly excited about your upcoming single, “Moral Bankruptcy”. What can you tell me about it?

This song is something that has been brewing for about a year now, and I’m so excited that it’s going to be out for the whole world to hear so soon. My first love is my piano, and I usually start writing songs with it, so that’s where this song began. The four lines in the chorus were the first thing I wrote (“So while you think about it, I’ll be in the car… somehow be your baby”) on the piano, but I always envisioned something more dramatic – something the piano alone couldn’t accomplish. This is when I reached out to Grace, who is a multi-talented producer, songwriter, guitarist, and friend of mine to try to finish this song together. 

I always love to use my imagination when writing songs, but this song was a new experience with it. I feel like a lot of the time, the audience assumes that songwriters only write about their own experiences, but that’s not true at all. Haha. Grace and I had a great time exploring the storyline of this song (which may or may not have been inspired by someone else’s experience) and imagining what they might’ve been feeling in that relationship. Ultimately, this song is about losing your sense of self in a (toxic) relationship that’s so all‑consuming you no longer recognize yourself – except when you look in the mirror.

 

I love a lot of things about this song, but the bridge reveals an extremely vulnerable side to an otherwise upbeat track.

“Take me back to the younger days when you were sweet to me

We would dance along the street, like the kids we used to be

If I knew who I’d become, would it make it any clearer? 

Tell me something is the same, without looking in the mirror” 

The last line captures the emotional breakdown this person is experiencing – they’re so lost in the relationship that they've been convincing themselves everything is okay just because they still look the same. It’s a moment of reckoning, of realizing that they don’t actually feel like themselves anymore.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

I always love recording a song because it’s when every part of it truly comes to life—and Grace really brought that to this track. From building the harmonies to layering violin and piano, with Grace on guitar, it all came together like the perfect recipe for this song. 

I also enjoyed the music video for your single, “Desert Blue”. What was it like putting that together?

It was an incredible experience. As a college student, everyone’s schedules are packed, so I’m still in awe of how many people came together to make this video happen. I’ve only danced a little before, so over winter break I asked my friend Rena—who’s incredibly busy herself—if she’d choreograph. For the dancers, we brought in Gaukhar, Rena’s friend, and Alanna, another amazing dancer on campus.

We had a last‑minute curveball when the theater we reserved flooded just two days before the shoot, so we snuck into another space for seven hours. My college has a student-run record label that gives artists resources like a manager, designer, videographer (all students), so my team helped me make a schedule and get the props. My videographer, Robert, was the creative visionary and directed the entire shoot. The makeup was something that I’ll always cherish, too. It really speaks to how talented my friends are. Kemper, my makeup artist, has done so much theatre makeup and I met her through one of the musicals we both worked on on campus, and I asked her if she would be okay doing makeup for the music video, and she immediately said yes. This music video was a true culmination of talent and teamwork, and I had so much fun bringing it to life!

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Maisie Peters, Sarah Kinsley, FINNEAS, Griff, The Marias, Eloise, and Joni Mitchell. 

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Not many people talk about how hard it is to put yourself out there. With TikTok as the main way to promote your music, you suddenly become your own manager, marketer, and biggest supporter. Some videos get 7,000 views, and the next day, the same type of video gets 30. The hardest part is posting every single day, even when there’s little support for weeks at a time. But I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who’s found me along the way – it’s definitely a double‑edged sword.

What are your immediate musical goals?

Just to create as much music as possible and to stay inspired!

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That is definitely a solid goal!

As always, I want to thank Marin 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, Spotify, and of course TikTok to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again, Marin, and good luck with the release! 

Aditi Visits Section 36!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Aditi is such an amazing artist whose recent single, "No One Likes Me", is one that just blew me away. I am thrilled she was willing to visit with us to discuss the single and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

What can you tell me about your latest single, “No One Likes Me”?

No One Likes Me is a song about anxiety, self-hate, and the fear of failure. It’s all about how so many of us tend to view ourselves in extremes when we’re feeling down and how we often exaggerate things, like thinking no one in the world likes us. I really wanted to make No One Likes Me catchy and upbeat and that kind of happened naturally as I was writing it because I feel a lot of people want others to think they’re fine and happy but they really have self-loathing thoughts under the surface. I wanted No One Likes Me to show that gap between how we want others to see us versus how we see ourselves because self-hate is often complex and, at times, based on what we think we should be but aren’t. I worked with Ryan Benyo, an LA-based producer, to produce this song and I’m grateful for his help.

How would you say it compares to your previous offering, “Under the Roses”?

Both No One Likes Me and Under the Roses, I’d say, touch on mental health. Under the Roses is all about how being too self-critical and holding on to rigid ideas of perfection can be horrible for your sense of self. And No One Likes Me, as I’ve mentioned, is about anxiety and self-hating thoughts. But I feel that No One Likes Me is a lot less dark, brooding, and mellow than Under the Roses is and shows a lot more panic through its fast tempo. I feel that, while ballads like Under the Roses can be super effective for reflecting on your emotions, sometimes you want something that makes you think and dance at the same time because you’re too mentally exhausted to process anything too deeply. No One Likes Me is that kind of song; it has a lot of thought but it also doesn’t pressure you to think.

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

Something I love about Berklee is the amazing community. Growing up, I was usually the only person who wanted to pursue music in my general area, so Berklee, being a school of musicians where all of us have so many things in common felt like a dream. Something else that made Berklee the right place for me was that it lets you study so many different genres of music all at once. I write and sing pop music but I’m also western classically trained and Berklee is great for me because it lets me do both of these things simultaneously while also exploring other genres like r&b, jazz, and musical theater, so I feel I’m discovering a lot about who I am musically and what my unique style is.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

I think, when it comes to singing, I grew up very influenced by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion. I love the power in their voices and it really informed my vocal sound. When it comes to songwriting, I’d say I’m influenced by Adele, Dolly Parton, and YEBBA. I really love the emotional storytelling their music has and it’s something I try to include in my songs.

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

I think the most challenging part for me is marketing myself and trying to get more visibility for me and my music. There are so many artists making amazing music and it’s so difficult to make people notice your music. Marketing myself is something that, as an indie artist, I do completely by myself and it’s something that I’m still learning. While it is difficult, though, it is also necessary and I get better every day so I’ll definitely reach my goals with consistency.

What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goal, after I graduate in a year, would be to become a full-time musician, make even more music than I am now and to gig a lot more. Until then, while I’m still in college, I’d love to learn as much as I can to become the best musician possible and acquire valuable skills that’ll help me in my journey. A goal that I’m keeping my eye on to achieve would also be to be successful enough to make a comfortable living for myself solely off of releasing music and being an indie artist. 

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More music would definitely be a good thing!

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

Evanie Visits Section 36 Music!

Bruno Courtin

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Evanie is an incredible artist whose single, "Why So Dense?", is one that you need to stream as soon as you can. I was flattered that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

I absolutely love your recent single, “Why So Dense?”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much! Why So Dense? is about not taking life too seriously. As a former overthinker, I wanted to write something for people who are always tense, always planning the next move — when sometimes, what you really need is just to relax and dance.

Lately, my motto has been: every moment is precious — one at a time. It helps me stay grounded and appreciate the gift of being alive, even though my ambition and dreams are always carved into my mind. I produced and promoted the track entirely on my own, and it’s actually a teaser for a bigger project coming in late 2025, a debut EP…

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

I remember during my recording sessions just dancing hysterically while I was singing, alone in the studio I felt like a crazy lady but I was having the best time ever, moving with the music. I love the whole process: from creating the lead melody to tweaking the smallest detail of a sound in just one ear. Every time I create a song, it feels like I was made to do it. That spark — that feeling of being alive — is what I live for.

You will be attending Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?

Three reasons. First, the location — going to the U.S. has been my biggest dream for years. I even learned English during COVID by watching the same movie 50 times! (I’m also fluent in Spanish and Italian.) Second, Berklee offers a rare mix of community spirit and academic excellence. And finally, I want every chance on my side. To me, Berklee is the greatest opportunity I could give myself to become an international artist. It provides the knowledge, the industry connections, and the experience I need to build the career I dream of.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Career-wise, Charlie Puth is my dream model — I want to tour the world as a performer while producing my own music and for other great artists. I want to be the female Charlie Puth. Music production is still dominated by men, and I want to be part of the generation that changes that. I also admire Quincy Jones — his story, his determination — it’s deeply inspiring. Vocally, I love Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, and Jorja Smith.

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Definitely wearing all the hats at once: producing, writing, performing, promoting… Being independent means doing everything on your own, and it’s intense. Staying emotionally open while constantly trying to prove yourself is also a challenge. But I turn that vulnerability into strength — that’s what makes my music honest. And I’m confident I’ll build a strong team soon. I’m incredibly driven by my ambition to bring women to the top of the music production field.

What are your immediate musical goals?

Right now, I’m focused on finishing and releasing my debut EP, creating a live set I’m proud of, and building a real connection with my audience — especially those who’ve ever felt like outsiders. I want to get playlisted, play small venues, and collaborate with other artists. Long-term, I’d love to score a film or create a concept album. But right now, it’s all about laying a strong foundation and growing a loyal fanbase.

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Consider me in that growing fanbase!

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

Thanks, Evanie, and good luck reaching your goals!

Angelina Cara Releases Debut Single “SILENCE” Music Video

Rising independent artist Angelina Cara makes new leaps in her career with her recently released debut music video for her debut single “SILENCE”. The music video, shot in Valencia Spain this past March, marks an exciting addition to her professional portfolio as a young artist. 

“SILENCE” is a gritty, alternative-pop track that captures the chaos of struggling with intrusive thoughts. Co-produced with L.A. based producer Daniel Galicia, the track is filled with punchy and unexpected production details, making it all the more immersive for the listener. It was featured as “Song of the Week” on WDET (Detroit radio) during Chris Campbell’s show “The Progressive Underground”. In the featured segment, Chris expressed his thoughts on the track: 

“’SILENCE,’ showcases her intricate electronic craftsmanship and artistic versatility. It’s a captivating piece highlighting why she’s becoming a standout voice in Detroit’s vibrant music scene.” 

Because of the success Angelina found with her debut release and the strong visual world she carefully crafted to market the piece, she recognized the great potential the track had for a visually stunning music video. After finding director Annette Milburn’s work through loose connections within Berklee, she reached out proposing the track for collaboration. It immediately captured Annette's attention and the project was born. 

After months of meticulous planning, multiple drafts, and careful budgeting, it was decided that Annette and cinematographer/editor Rapheal Edwards would be flown out to Valencia Spain - where Angelina was studying abroad for her 4th semester at Berklee - to location scout and film the piece within 6 days during the middle week of March. This timeframe landed perfectly during the peak of the city’s iconic festival “Las Fallas”, a traditional festival held every March in Valencia known for its spectacular displays of art, fire, and noise. The festival concludes with the burning of the “Falla” statues - intricate and vibrant sculptures built throughout the city for the celebration. 

The “SILENCE” music video features striking visuals from vast unique locations within Valencia and footage from the burnings of the Falla, both enhanced with fantastical visual effects. In just three days of shooting, Angelina was shot delivering an emotional, stunt-filled performance in six different stunning looks carefully planned by Annette and Angelina. Inspired by modern cinematic masterpieces such as the hit Apple TV series “Severance” and several of Billie Eilish’s music videos, the video offers eerie, unexpected, and experimental visuals to capture the track’s unique production. The storyline follows Angelina on a journey as she runs from various “versions” of herself - representing the intrusive thoughts that haunt her.

The music video has already found success on YouTube and will soon be released on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. 

Angelina extends her thanks to her collaborators and looks forward to releasing more music and visuals in the future, continuing to expand what she calls her cinematic universe.

Alaina Margaret Droog Returns with End Of Summer Bop "Too Soon?"

Alaina Margaret Droog, known for her compelling music and striking voice, returns with a brand-new single for 2025. “Too Soon?” is a product of deep soul-searching and the joy of turning to creating art on a whim amidst emotional turmoil. Alaina Margaret shares her background story of this track, which channels the freedom of indulging in the things that make you happy and unique. The track, recently penned on July 4 , came to life over a few 4 a.m. nights, with the help of an acoustic guitar, a bucket, a candle, and some knitting needles as makeshift drums, GarageBand, and a bedroom recording setup. Alaina Margaret recounts producing and mixing everything herself, and feeling the high of “I think I’m gonna release it!”

“Too Soon?” raises the question of “Is it too soon to move on?

Corey J. Bryant

 Too soon to be happy?” while proudly asserting that it’s never too soon to have fun and be who you want to be. The soft, playful introduction hints at Alaina’s previous acoustic folk tracks, but never prepares listeners for the all-out, powerful chorus that follows. The dynamic songwriting evokes memories of late-night road trips, screaming at the top of your lungs, blasting Olivia Rodrigo or Elle King. Summer’s magic is still lingering; it’s a time capsule you’ll look back on for years to come, but if you could only save the feelings forever, you’d be cured. Alaina Margaret’s vocal delivery invites you to get caught in the moment and feel alive before the summer ends. True art comes from a place of vulnerability, wondering if you can express yourself in a way that may heal or ignite something inside you, and for this one, we’re all feeling it. 

Emmie Kelly Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Emmie Kelly is fresh off the release of her amazing single, "The Key", that you need to stream as soon as you can. I was honored that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.
 
So, let's see what happens when Emmie Kelly visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely love your recent single, “The Key”. What can you tell me about it?

I originally wrote this song in 2022, during my senior year of college, for my friend Seren Cho's short film. She was looking for a credit song to capture the spirit of her project, which was a queer love story set during New Years' Eve. Immediately, I knew I wanted to write it for her! As a queer woman myself, I really pride myself on being able to capture my own queer experience within my music - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Truthfully, most of my songs up to this point have been about heartbreak, so writing "the key" was a total pivot from my usual stuff. It was so much fun painting the picture of a sweet, young coming-of-age style love story, both lyrically and sonically, and a very preliminary draft of the song ended up making it into the short film. Flash forward to 2024, I knew that I wanted to bring some joy into my repertoire, and also show that I can write a banger pop song as well as my moodier acoustic stuff. I brought "the key" to my producer, Ellisar Hamdan, and she helped me turn it into the vibrant pop song it's become. I'm so happy it's out in the world!

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

I got these vocals done in a time crunch (independent artists crammed for studio time will get what I mean!), so honestly, recording this song was a bit of a blur. In all aspects of my life, I work well under pressure, and I knew I had this set time to lay down the lead vocals and background vocals and bring what I had in my head to life. So much of the recording process was just me bouncing ideas off of my producer and finding out what worked and what didn't. Because this song is a little different from my usual work, I found myself getting really into the creation of the indie pop background vocals. It almost felt like I was in a pop girl group playing the lead singer and every background singer role, which definitely added to the wholesome, girly vibe I was looking to create in this song.

If you could perform live in any venue in the world, where would you choose?

Red Rocks, for sure! I've never seen a show there, or even been to Colorado, but this is a dream venue of mine. It looks like one of the most gorgeous places ever from the pictures, and I'll take any opportunity to travel and see new places. My friend and I actually have a pact that someday we will rent a van and drive out there to see a show together, just to experience it.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

So many! Too many to name! Sonically, I would liken my sound to that of Maisie Peters and Kelsea Ballerini - maybe a mix of the two? I generally go for a more acoustic sound, but with the catchy melodies of your favorite pop songs. My friends have lovingly dubbed it "twangy pop," and I think that describes it perfectly. Visually and lyrically, I am so inspired by Chappell Roan - I think her storytelling and ability to create a persona is truly unmatched. And of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Taylor Swift. I've loved her music since I was a little girl, I'm the proud owner of an original debut Taylor Swift CD, and yes, the Eras Tour at Gillette Night 3 with my sister WAS the best night of my life. Every song I write feels like a little piece of myself set to music - my musical diary, to put it plainly - and it's the kind of catharsis I feel in every Taylor Swift song I hear.

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Exposure! In a world where our attention spans become shorter and shorter by the day, and content availability is at an all-time high, it can be hard to be heard amidst the noise. Just like many other small artists, I try to make my mark on social media, and can be found on Instagram (@emkelllly) and TikTok (@emmiekellymusic) sharing new projects and music. I've found that those who find my music tend to stick around and keep listening, which I'm incredibly grateful for. It's just finding them in the first place that can be a barrier!

What are your immediate musical goals?

I will be moving to Nashville in the fall, and am so excited for this newest chapter in my life and career. I am planning to release an EP soon (how soon? I can't say quite yet!) and a music video, so many exciting upcoming projects in the works. In Nashville, I hope to gain more exposure as an artist, and grow my following at gigs and online. Most of all, I hope to connect with fellow creatives and build myself a musical community I can call home.

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I can't wait for that new EP!

As always, I want to thank Emmie 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. Like she suggests, I would follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks, Emmie, and good luck reaching your goals!