Zesi Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! If you haven't heard Zesi's latest single, "OV3R", yey you need to go stream it now! I am so glad tha Zesi was willing to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical goals, and more!

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

Your recent single, “OV3R” is just wonderful. What can you tell me about it?

"OV3R" is one of the most personal songs I’ve released. It’s about that powerful moment of realization when you finally see a toxic relationship for what it really was—and feel genuinely relieved that it’s over. There’s such strength in choosing yourself and stepping away from something that was draining you emotionally. Once the rose-tinted glasses come off, you’re left wondering how you ever tolerated that level of disrespect and mistreatment. The song also touches on trauma blocking, where your mind protects you by suppressing memories, which is something a lot of people with complex PTSD experience. I suffer with CPTSD and wanted bring awareness and those that suffer with it don’t even realize they’ve been surviving instead of living. Writing "OV3R" was a way of reclaiming my voice and giving others permission to do the same.Huge thanks to Ian Choi for producing the track and helping bring the vision to life. I wrote and composed the song, with string arrangement by Lizzy Ratadhi. We recorded a live string section and background vocals to really elevate the emotional impact.

The album photos and videos for the song are incredible. What was that shoot like, especially since you were green?

The shoot was a whole journey! With the amazing Brooke Raquel, it took about three hours to fully paint my body green. After that, we headed into the woods with my photographer Gabriel Medina to shoot photos and promo content. There were people walking by who saw me painted green, and the confusion on their faces was hilarious, it definitely added a fun energy to the shoot.

You graduated from Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing Berklee did for your career?

Berklee has prepared me for the industry in so many ways. From hands-on experience and collaboration to sharpening my ear through music theory, I’ve grown tremendously as both a musician and an artist. It’s given me the tools and confidence to navigate this career.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

My top three musical influences are Lady Gaga, Freddie Mercury, and Beyoncé. They’re all powerhouse artists with incredible stage presence, genre versatility, and visionary world-building. They push the limits of what an artist can be and they inspire me to always aim higher in my own work.

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

The biggest challenge in my career so far has been financing my projects. Everything from music videos and photoshoots to playlisting and promo comes directly out of my own pocket. It would be amazing to have the right financial support to keep bringing my creative vision to life on a larger scale.

What are your immediate music goals?

Right now, my immediate goal is finishing my upcoming singles, which I’m really excited about. I’m also gearing up for their rollout—planning the visuals, the photoshoot, and the music video. I can’t wait to share this next stage with everyone.

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I can't wait for that new music!

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

“Seeing Signs” is the First Single off of Nicole Ash’s Debut EP!

Photo: Sube Films

Nicole describes this single as a reflection of “those unspoken moments you have with a new crush when you overanalyze everything and wonder if they feel the same way. It’s the mix of excitement and uncertainty that made it so electric growing up...and that playful ‘what if’ doesn’t go away as you get older.” 

The track evokes a sense jittery butterflies and longing, transporting you back to the early 2000s angst. Produced by ojo Centineo and co-written and co-produced by Harrison Witcher, “Seeing Signs” is a relatable experience that many can connect with.

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Nicole Ash is a solo artist originally from New Jersey and now based in North Carolina. She started her musical journey as a songwriter and guitarist, gaining recognition for her guitar covers on social media and her band, Wayne Avenue. Her social media following has now surpassed 85k followers, thanks to her signature energetic guitar covers and alluring performance personality. In 2022, Nicole took a bold step into singing with her solo project, a true testament to her dedication and artistic evolution.

Sube Films

Her influences of pop punk and alternative rock are evident in her music, particularly from artists such as Avril Lavigne, My Chemical Romance, Green Day, and Blink-182. Nicole is set to release her debut EP in 2025, a milestone in her journey, and hopes to inspire others with her mantra of relentlessly following her dreams.