Lys Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Lys is a fantastic artist whose single, "I'll Drive" should be on everyone's playlist. 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 Lys visits Section 36 Music!

I really enjoy your single, “I’ll Drive”. What can you tell me about it?

I’ll Drive is a song I co wrote as well as produced with my good friend Owen Paz. Last year was my senior year of high school and of course, that year is an extremely bittersweet year. One night I was driving with my friends in the car and the song ‘End of Beginning’ by Djo came on. My friends turned it up and started singing along and we were just having an amazing time. I thought to myself “I wanna write a song like that where my friends sing along in the car at night.” I decided to write the song specifically about the fear of moving on to a new path, one that is away from your best friends for a little while. The “I’ll drive” part of it is meant both literally and metaphorically. Literally, because I am often the one driving us around, and it metaphorically refers to me letting them know that no matter what twists and turns this life brings us, I have their back always. 

You recently put out a music video for the song. What was it like putting that together?

It’s funny because I wanted to release a music video when I released the single last year but I got so busy with getting ready for college and spending time with my family and friends that I didn’t have a ton of time to create a music video. My mother was actually the one who came up with the idea. She told me it could be a good promotional idea and I totally agreed 100%. So I talked to two of my friends about shooting the video and I also talked to Owen about editing the video because he’s really good at editing videos as well. I shot some clips in Boston during the school year with one of my friends from Berklee because we definitely wanted to get a lot of cars in this video, so we made use of the city for sure! I also filmed some shots around my hometown in Upstate New York when I came home from school. I had my friend from high school help film as well as her mother. Once all the clips were filmed, I sent them to Owen and he put together and amazing music video. Everyone did such a fantastic job and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. 

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

It’s always been Berklee. I remember at eleven years old searching up colleges for music because I knew that music was my main love and focus. When I looked into Berklee, it just seemed so different than most colleges for music because of how diverse it was with different genres, opportunities, and culture. I just knew it was for me, so from that point going forward I did everything I could to make sure I could attend the school. That includes participating in my school’s symphonic and jazz bands, choir, drama club, performing live with my band outside of school, and auditioning for state competitions. I found out I got in right before Christmas my senior year, and I can say it was one of the greatest Christmas gifts I have ever received. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences when it comes to drumming would definitely be Max Weinberg from The E Street Band and John Bonham from Led Zeppelin. Songwriting wise, Coldplay for sure and lyrically, I take a ton of inspiration from country music. 

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

The career I’m going for is tough. Comes with a lot of challenges, there’s no guarantee of things going exactly as we plan. I think the hardest part is knowing the amount of competition out there and the amount of sacrifice it takes trying to make it in music. But I can tell you I’m willing to take on the challenge.

What are your immediate music goals?

I want to make it in the industry as a drummer/singer/songwriter. I want to make it in the industry as a drummer first and foremost. I hope to make a living as a professional drummer and once I am able to do that, I hope to make it as a performing artist. I’m currently networking to get as many gigs as a drummer as I can to put myself out there and I am also in the process of working with a band for my solo music and I am hoping to release another song very soon.  

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I can't wait to see all of that come to fruition!

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