Alex Amber Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Alex Amber is a wonderful singer that just realeased a single, "Three Weeks", that you need to stream right away! I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical goals, and more!

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

You recently released an outstanding single, “Three Weeks”. What can you tell me about it?

I wrote this song in a school practice room at midnight after returning from a day trip to my hometown. I initially recorded it for a project for my Music Technology class and considered maybe making it a B-side or a TikTok, but I didn’t think it would go anywhere. However, I had to present it for the final, and after the presentation multiple people were humming the melody for the rest of the 2-hour class. I also showed it to a producing club for feedback, and I noticed the same thing; people humming it for hours after. When I mentioned I might throw it on a record as a B-side, one of the club leaders asked, “if that’s what a B-side looks like, what on earth does a lead single look like?” At that moment, I realized I needed to make “Three Weeks” a real, released single. And now, here we are.

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

Onstage, I get to be unapologetically expressive to the audience. I can express my emotions and the emotions of a song with a strength that would normally be impossible in any other form of communication, and I get to witness people receive that in real time. I've fallen in love with how performing can touch other people. A few weeks ago, I was singing an original song in The Lockheart, a local restaurant in my town. When I got offstage, a stranger came up to me and told me, “you made me cry.” Although I have always loved performing, that moment truly made me understand how much of an impact music has.

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

I grew up in Massachusetts and wanted to go far away from home, to Nashville or New York, so I didn’t consider Berklee for most of high school. However, I attended the Berklee Songwriting Summer Workshop in June 2023, which completely changed how I think about songwriting and music creation. I always knew I wanted to pursue music right after graduating high school. After that experience, I felt like Berklee was the most direct way for me to get into the music industry and expand my skillset.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences are my friends. I'm friends with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met, and their creativity and work ethic push me to strive for excellence more than anyone else. In particular, two of my friends, Mehlani and Ashley Joy, are people I truly look up to. They helped me record “Three Weeks,” and working with them showed me their incredible attention to detail and, frankly, musical genius. Their original songs and creative ingenuity inspire me, and I apply elements of their songwriting and production techniques to my art.

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Trying to find a balance between my personal life and my career. Many of my close friends know that I find it very hard to relax and take time to smell the roses when there’s music to record, content to film, schoolwork to complete, etc. Before I went to college, my younger cousin actually sat me down and said, “Alex, I know you’ll work hard this year, but you also need to remember to lock out. You need something to write your songs about.” Those words have really stuck with me; they’ve served as a reminder to include other things in my life besides music. It’s still something I’m working on getting better at, but it’s a goal of mine.

What are your immediate music goals?

To deliver more to my fans. I’d love to have more performance opportunities and release more music, because my priority is to give people art. I am so incredibly lucky that there are people who want to listen to my music and watch me sing, and I’d love to make sure they have the chance to do that.

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Work-life balance is certainly a challenge!

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

I Am Snow Angel Reimagines Two Deeply Personal Songs on Ethereal Double Single “Prey of My Own” – Out July 25

 

New York, NY 

 
Alternative electronic-pop artist I Am Snow Angel I Am Snow Angel returns with a haunting and intimate new release. “Prey of My Own” drops Friday, July 25.  This is a double single featuring reimagined, stripped-down piano versions of two tracks from her 2019 concept album MOTHERSHIP — the title track “Prey of My Own” and the sweeping ballad “I Love You.”

For these new renditions, I Am Snow Angel — the project of composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Julie Kathryn — headed into the studio with longtime friend and collaborator Charles Newman of Mother West to record new vocal tracks and simples piano parts, exploring the emotional layers of the original compositions. The productions were polished off with I Am Snow Angel signature ethereal vocal textures.

“Prey of My Own” is a dark, cinematic ballad about surviving trauma and becoming fiercely self-reliant. The song is written from the perspective of a literary heroine, akin to Kirsten Raymonde from Station Eleven or Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses. The second track, “I Love You”, is a heartfelt love song. Set in an imagined, icy landscape, the song describes a journey to find a lost lover in a frozen world. 

These re-recorded versions distill the songs to their emotional core while introducing a new sonic palette that invites listeners to experience them in a fresh light. The result is emotionally resonant and otherworldly. 

“Prey of My Own” (double single) is available on all major streaming platforms Friday, July 25.

Prey of My Own - Double Single

The Cliff is Anna May's anticipated follow up single to her latest release, Elegy.

"Written from the precarious juncture of dreams & reality .. here is my newest single, The Cliff. 

The Cliff is asking .. what is it like to reach the precipice & to then fall down? Our human journey is to never remain in one fixed state. We are destined to traverse every state & emotion. This question is universal & laden with metaphor .. This question is life itself.

This song is euphoria, acceptance, frustration, regret, longing, bitterness & envisioning, traversing the unknowns surrounding cliffs.

Cliffs can symbolize so much : dissatisfaction, sensationalism, hysteria, shock, peace, & the stuff of lore. We are forever clinging, grasping, savoring & ultimately, letting go. We are perpetually between living and dying - what we do know and what we don’t know; bored with the familiar, yet terrified by the abyss.

Someone once told me, before our parting, that everything is uncertainty. In the song itself, it is unclear whether or not you will fall off the cliff. Each song that I've been writing has a different expression of the same experience. 

The Cliff is early 2000s pop meets 50s doo wop, and a bit Pink Floyd meets Elliot Smith with a tinge of country. I wanted the departure to the chorus to be mysterious and anticlimactic, as if to sound like something falling, or suspended in time. I wanted to remember the depth of the darkness that he took me to, and for listeners to feel every word.

I had the melody ideas percolating for The Cliff long before I released Elegy, but the song was not fully formed & recorded until later.

Sometimes, it happens in the early germination of a song being born, that we know exactly where we want everything to fall. Nothing is nebulous & everything about the song’s trajectory is known in the early stages of creation.

The imagery & metaphor of The Cliff have been sitting with me for a long while & I am eager to share"

Elegy was premiered by V13 Media and has been featured by Ones to Watch, Ditty TV, Americana UK, Paul Dettmann, Grateful Web, Dreamgaze Overtone on KXFM, Tinnitist, Out the Box Music, Soundsplore, BFF.FM, The Listen Local Show in San Diego, The Boston Chris Show, indie B & B podcast & Country and Northeastern on WERU.

Anna has opened for artists like Kacy Hill, Amythyst Kiah, The Arcadian Wild, People Museum, Jann Klose, Altan, The Michigan Rattlers, Kyran Daniel, and Jacob Jolliff and has performed at Wildflower! Music and Arts Festival, Treefort Music Festival, Whole Earth Festival, and the prestigious Art of Elan series at San Diego's Central Library. 

Anna was nominated for best Indie song of 2023 by Indie Boulevard Magazine, and her song The Show was KUTX's song of the day in August 2024. 

She has been a featured guest on NPR's Great American Folk Show, WKU PBS Lost River Sessions & was nominated for Best Americana Act at the New England Music Awards in 2024. Anna was recently featured on the WDVX Blue Plate Special, and We Found New Music Showcase.

Indie Pop Singer/Songwriter Zanne Hanna Confronts Fate On “What If The Cards Are Wrong?”

 Inspired by her tarot cards, her newest single blends acoustic and electronic sonics to reveal her subconscious doubts. 

South Floridian indie artist Zanne Hanna's first solo release of 2025 opens with a hopeful, uplifting Moog arpeggiator that paradoxically introduces her fear of inevitable failure. Bold in her admission, this is the songwriter and producer’s most vulnerable song to date. With driving acoustic guitars and upbeat percussion, Hanna tries to make light of her self-doubt, with complex harmonies highlighting her lyrics, “I’ve always been too afraid to try, not this time.” Recorded and mixed in her DIY home studio, this energetic yet contemplative single stands alongside Maggie Rogers, The Japanese House, and Sylvan Esso's indie-pop electro-folk fusions. “This song is my unofficial decree to believing in myself.” Hanna says. 

Zanne Hanna is a singer/songwriter, vocalist, and producer with pop, folk, and electronica influences. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, she has a diverse background in audio engineering and sound design. She is currently based in her hometown in south Florida where she gigs at her favorite local spots and produces her music from her DIY home studio. Last year, she founded her company Heart Wells Records and Publishing LLC. 

“What if the cards are wrong?” is out on all streaming platforms!

Elia Schreiber Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Elia Schreiber has a single coming soon, "Wishing Well", that you'll want to hear as soon as possible! I was so thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical goals, and more!

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

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

My upcoming single Wishing Well has been around for a long time. I wrote it 1st semester of sophomore year. This song is super cool I think because of the lyrics. The lyrics all relate back to the topic of a wishing well. There's a lot of things you'll notice if you pay attention to the lyrics where I use words in a way that can be heard and read differently. For example in the chorus I say "a penny for your thoughts and a penny for your prayers". This has to do with the saying "a penny for your thoughts", but it also relates to the change you throw into a wishing well. 

At the end of the chorus you'll hear "hoping I can find some sense in it later, But for now just wish me well". The sense can be a sense of mind or cents as in money, and wish me well is almost the same as wishing well but I changed the wording to sum up the chorus. This song is about feeling a sense of hopelessness, and the concept that we as people do things to make us feel better about our hopelessness such as wishing on pennies we throw into wells. It was an interesting topic for me to dive into because I noticed a lot about myself and about the things I do to make myself feel temporarily better about a situation. I hope this song resonates with people that are in a similar position, and makes them feel heard about their struggles and that they are not alone. 

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

Performing on stage is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I love the rush of adrenaline it brings, and I love being able to share my music with the world. There’s nothing more beautiful than watching a crowd—friends, strangers, everyone—come together over a song. A couple of years ago, I played a show in my hometown after a tragedy that deeply affected the entire community. I was performing with the band Dead Winter Carpenters, and we all got on stage to sing a simple song that the audience could easily join in on. It was incredibly emotional and powerful when everyone started singing with us—hugging, crying, and holding hands. In that moment, I truly realized how deeply music unites people. That’s why I do what I do: to share my art, to bring smiles, to make someone feel heard.

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

I knew from a very young age that music would be my career—it’s the one thing I’ve always been deeply passionate about. I was never as driven by anything else. When I toured Berklee and realized I could attend a college where we’re pushed to become the best musicians we can be, I was incredibly excited. The classes looked amazing, the recording studios were state-of-the-art, and the people I saw on campus were inspiring. I knew I wanted to be part of a community of talented artists—to push myself, build meaningful connections, and dedicate myself fully to doing what I love.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences are Noah Kahan, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Lizzy McAlpine, and Fleetwood Mac

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

The most challenging part of my music career right now is learning not to compare myself and my work to others. Being at Berklee, surrounded by so much incredible talent, it’s easy to be overly hard on yourself and feel like you're falling behind. I often catch myself thinking I should be much further along in my career just because others my age already seem to be.

Last semester, I attended an event where Cliff Notez gave a speech that really stuck with me. He said, "Thinking about your 'why' is going to dictate how you move in your career. Right now, your reason might just be ‘I love making music,’ but as you go further, think about the challenges you’ve faced, how you got through them, and why you wanted to." He also said that success is about feeling comfortable in your own skin and being happy with what you’re doing.

That message reminded me that success isn’t just about "making it big"—that will come with time. Learning to trust the process, stay grounded in my purpose, and recognize that we’re still so young is one of the biggest challenges I’m working through.

What are your immediate music goals?

My music goals are to share all of my art with the world. I want to release as much music as I can, and be a performing singer-songwriter. 

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I'm definitely glad she wants to share her music with all of us!

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

Drèa Solène Visits Section 36!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Drèa Solène is preparing to release her debut single, "Be Free", and you won't want to miss it. I was so flattered that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical goals, and more!

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

You’ll soon be releasing your debut single, “Be Free”. What can you tell me about it?

“Be Free” is one of the most honest songs I’ve ever written. I was in a really tough place emotionally — stuck between the weight of where I wanted to be with my music career and where I actually was. It came from feeling lost, discouraged, and questioning whether my vision was even possible. But writing it became a way of fighting for myself — for hope, for healing, and for the freedom to keep going without burning out. It’s a song about trying to hold onto belief when everything feels heavy.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

I recorded this song over a year ago, so some of the memories are fuzzy — but what always stands out to me is that feeling when you finally hear something you imagined in your head come to life. Whether it’s a vocal run or a harmony idea — when I hit play and it sounds just how I hoped? That’s always magical to me.

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

Berklee gave me access to the tools I needed to create independently — especially Logic Pro X, which I still use to record all my music. But more than that, my time there taught me the importance of trusting my voice. I had to learn how to stand firm in my artistry, even in spaces where I didn’t always feel seen or understood. That lesson has stuck with me ever since.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Michael Jackson is my number one influence — his music, his vision, his character, and his relentless pursuit of excellence shaped everything for me. I also draw a lot of inspiration from the Yellowjackets, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Erykah Badu. Each of them brought something bold and emotionally honest to the table, and I want my music to do the same.

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Honestly, the climb. When you’re a big dreamer like me, the gap between your vision and your current reality can feel huge — and not everyone around you will understand what you’re trying to build. That can be lonely and emotionally taxing. It takes a lot of inner strength to keep going, especially when you’re doing it independently. But I remind myself why I started and keep pushing forward.

What are your immediate music goals?

Right now, I’m building what I call my “vault” — a catalog of songs, whether it’s full lyrics or just ideas, that I’m developing and shaping into future releases. My goal is to create music that connects — songs that hit people deeply and stay with them. I’m also focused on finding my core collaborators — a team of people who understand the vision and want to build something timeless together. 

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That sounds like a great goal!

As always, I want to thank Drèa 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 to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks, Drèa, and good luck reaching your goals!

Inspiring Madóc

As I continue streaming the recent debut EP from Madóc, "Adrenaline Demos"I still want to learn more about this incredible artist. Luckily Madóc was willing to help us all out again by answering some questions about what inspires and influences her. 

Hope you enjoy what she has to say!

How did the Irish influences make their way into your music?

I have always felt connected to my Irish roots as my mom is from there. I grew up going back all the time to visit family and over the years have gone on several solo Ireland trips too -  it’s my home away from home. In terms of music, the soundtrack of my childhood was primarily a mix of U2, The Cranberries and traditional Irish music. With my Irish family, we’re the ones closing out the bars with a traditional Irish “sing-song,” harmonizing with cousins in the car or on a stage, or dancing til the morning to Irish music. When making my own music, I hadn’t intended to have Irish influence in them, it sort of just happened naturally. I feel empowered when I get to sing a riff or a celtic wail similar to Dolores O’Riordan or Hozier, and even stronger when I get to storytell in my songs like my ancestors would have. This is an incredibly important part of who I am that I will always cherish.

How has your music been influenced by your upbringing in the Pacific Northwest?

My PNW upbringing definitely influences my nature-esque

metaphors in my lyrics. But also, even in my aesthetic as an artist, I feel like I try to encompass the colors and feelings of being pulled into the forest and met with your deepest truths. My song, “The Creek” is about the literal creek behind my house where I spent so much time feeling free and imaginative. So when I think of the PNW in my music, I think of coming home to my real honest self and just being grounded by nature.

Who would you consider your biggest musical influences?

By far my biggest musical influences are Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries, Maggie Rogers, Chappell Roan and King Princess. I’ve always been drawn to big powerful singers but also those who bring an edge to their performance. I love hearing the emotions in Dolores’s and Maggie’s voices and how they go back and forth from ethereal falsetto, to a powerful chest voice. Maggie’s lyrics have always entranced me with how she brings in nature into her songs. Chappell and King Princess don’t shy away from writing about the queer experience in all of its color. I think they also both bring a commanding and sexy stage presence to their performances and much of that I know is influenced by drag queens. My hope is to take pieces of influence from each of these artists and make my artistry my own!

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Be sure to follow Madóc on Instagram, and stream Adrenaline Demos to be sure you won't miss it! Also, be sure to check out all of here appearances her on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again Madóc!