Ava Rush Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Ava Rush is fresh off the release of her single, "You Don't Deserve My Love". If you haven't listened to it yet, you need to make to to do so now! I was so thrilled she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical goals, and more!

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

I am incredibly excited about your single, “You Don’t Deserve My Love”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! I wrote this song in the fall of last year. This was one of those songs I needed to write. When something ends unexpectedly we question why it happened, what we could have done differently, what we did wrong and the list goes on. Instead of realizing that we never deserved to be treated this way to begin with. This song is about accepting that even though you care so deeply for someone, they simply don’t deserve your love. It’s a hard realization to come to, but this song gave me some sort of peace and I hope it does for listeners too!

What was your favorite part of the recording process?

After I write a song, I usually wait a while before jumping into the recording process. But for this song I started recording it almost immediately after I wrote it. It was my first time working with my new producer, Matthew Castello. We started working on the song virtually since I am currently in Boston for school and he is in Long Island, where I am from. When I was home for winter break we finally met up and recorded vocals. It was such an effortless process and we worked really well together. My favorite part of the recording process was when me and Matt came up with background harmonies! The harmonies bring in new lyrical ideas and contrast the lead vocal beautifully.

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

I didn’t grow up in a musical family or a musical town. Since I was little, I would write my songs and then shut the notebook. It is so nice to finally be surrounded by people who are all passionate about the same thing. I am constantly sharing my songs with others, collaborating with other talented artists, and learning from my peers and professors. Everyday I feel like I am learning something new and getting better at my craft. 

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

Performing in front of an audience is a whole different experience then listening to a recording. I love being able to connect with my audience and see people singing my songs back at me. Live performances not only allow me to tell my story but also allows me to share my songs in a new way. This past year I have been playing shows with my band in Boston and it is such a thrilling experience hearing my songs be brought to life in a new form. 

What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?

My biggest challenge would be trying to do everything all on my own. As an independent artist, it is hard to manage the creative side, while also trying to work on marketing, social media presence, and booking live shows. While I love doing all these things, sometimes they take time away from my writing.

What are your immediate music goals?

I have so many goals regarding my music. As an artist, I am always trying to get better at my craft and push myself to new heights. This year my goal is to really find my sound as an artist and release a ton of new music. My first release of the year: “You Don’t Deserve My Love” captures who I am as an artist and where I see myself going. My biggest dream is that my songs will resonate with my listeners and help them feel like they are not alone in their situation. Within the past two years, I have been busy writing and recording and I’m so excited to finally share what I have been working on! So keep your eye out for more new songs on the way!

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I will definitely keep my eyes and ears open for new releases!

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

Thanks again Ava, and good luck reaching your goals!

New Music from Sophia Eliana

"Spaghetti Walls" - by Sophia Eliana

Release Date: March 7, 2025

What You Should Know: "The new coming-of-age anthem - written by Sophia Eliana and produced alongside Noah Dearborn and Jacob Williams at The Wonderhaus in Glendale, CA - is a candid, high-energy folk song about the chaos and charm of navigating your twenties."

Sophia described this song as "spunky and energetic", and after listening to it I couldn't think of a better description. There is a wonderful feeling you get when listening to all of her music that is absolutely present in this new offering. It may not be something you can put your finger on, but you can just tell that you've been having a good time, and feel better after having heard it. The lyrics and melody play off each other perfectly to create a sound that is all hers. If this is the first song of an album, I'll be anxiously waiting for each future addition. 

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Chiara diGrazia Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Chiara diGrazia is fresh off the release of her debut single, "miss the ocean", which is one you won't want to miss! I was so excited she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical goals, and more!

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

I absolutely adored your debut single, “miss the ocean”. What can you tell me about it?

I wrote miss the ocean almost exactly a year ago, when I was experiencing my first east coast winter. I grew up in Northern California, where it rarely drops below 50 degrees so it was a definite adjustment. As I returned to school in January, I had my heart broken. The results were a few very cold months of loneliness, until my friend had a house show, and me and two friends bought cheap wine, rode the green line out, and had a night of light and love. I wanted the song I wrote about it to capture how I was feeling, but without it feeling hopeless, i.e. the bridge about loving my friends and lines about being tipsy on the green line and feeling the love. I brought it to my producer Wyatt Peers and he brought it to life, keeping the pop beat and synth that I wanted while keeping it folk-y(and very Bostonian in my opinion haha).

Did you have a favorite part of the recording process?

The studios at Berklee are crazy. I've recorded before, but this time I felt like a real pop star which was so cool. Plus, whenever I got a mix back and got to know that this song I wrote in my room on my guitar was materializing into a real thing; it's the most special feeling in the world.

You attend Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?

I went to a private catholic all girls high school, and I was the only musician. I wanted the furthest thing from that, and that led me to Berklee. To be able to have friends who love what I love and to be able to study what I love in such an immersive way has made it a great fit.

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

The person who made me want to be a singer has always been Lana Del Rey. I think every word she speaks is like poetry. As I've gotten older, I would say my biggest songwriting influences are Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, but I love the idea of mixing folk songwriting and pop production in the recording process, which is when I turn to artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams.

What is your biggest musical challenge?

Separating myself enough from an experience to be able to write about it. When I'm feeling something so deeply, I find everything I write about it comes out cheesy, like "I can't believe you did that to me, and I hate you forever". I'm trying to learn that sometimes I have to wait months before I have enough space from something and can write in an honest way.

What are your immediate music goals?

Keep releasing! This was my first single, and it's been surreal to have music out in the world and to know that instead of only my closest friends hearing my songs, hundreds of people have. I'm already starting on the next project, I have more I want to say.

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Definitely excited to hear more of her music!

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