Cybèle Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Cybèle is an incredible artist with an upcoming single, "In Another Life", that you won't want to miss. I couldn't be more thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the single and the rest of her music career. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

I am incredibly excited about your upcoming single, “In Another Life.” What can you tell me about it?

In Another Life came to me during a semester off from Harvard. I had been feeling overworked, depressed, and completely disconnected from my artistry because of the constant “go, go, go” environment I was in. I kept trying to force a song out of myself, and nothing was working. One night I was pacing around the kitchen when I suddenly visualized Michael Jackson sitting on my couch. I had this impulse to sing to him, and the melody and lyrics came out exactly as they are on the record. The song captures that feeling of meeting someone who resonates with your soul on such a deep level, it feels divine or fated. It’s the opposite of this nonchalant, “idgaf” message that we’re constantly being force-fed. This song is for the romantics. It’s my proclamation: I care. I love so so so deeply. And I’m done pretending otherwise. This is OUR anthem. 

You’ve been able to perform all over the world. Do you have a dream venue or performance moment?

I would absolutely love to do the Super Bowl Halftime Show. When I was younger, I sang the Mandarin version of “America the Beautiful” for Coca-Cola’s Super Bowl campaign, so it would be such a full-circle moment to have my own 15-minute slot where I could go all out and perform my music. I remember watching Beyoncé’s halftime show over and over, analyzing everything from the production, to the arrangements, the choreography, her presence, even the behind-the-scenes documentary showing all the prep. I would love to one day create a massive, cinematic show with lights, pyrotechnics, maybe even a full orchestra. I want to give people an experience. And I’d be the first Chinese woman to ever do it. THAT inspires the hell out of me. 

You attended Berklee while also attending Harvard. How did that work out for you?

It was INTENSE. But honestly, I loved it. I was a Psychology major at Harvard while also studying Film Scoring at Berklee, commuting almost every day between the two. My days were packed, sometimes 12 to 16 hours long, and I was calling my mom in tears practically every other week. But that experience built me. It gave me discipline and showed me what I’m capable of. I’d go to Berklee just to sit in the scoring labs and work until 10 p.m., hop on a Zoom for my startup The Mix, then keep composing until midnight. I found so much community in those labs, with everyone working side by side on their dreams. I also found a deep creative home at Harvard through theater. Performing eight shows a week while dealing with laryngitis, strep, and a full course load pushed me to my limits, but it also showed me I could transcend them. Mind over matter.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Michael Jackson, hands down. He represented truth, precision, soul, love, and pure showmanship. He was my model of greatness. Growing up in Beijing, my mom, who is a classically trained violinist, would bring home whatever DVDs she could find of Madonna, Gaga, ABBA, and more. She wasn’t worried about censoring anything, and I soaked it all in (some of it was very inappropriate lol). She also played a lot of classical music, especially Tchaikovsky, who remains one of my biggest musical inspirations. I’m deeply influenced by artists who build worlds with their sound, like Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Sarah Vaughan, Earth Wind & Fire, RAYE, Victoria Monét, The Beatles, Lucky Daye, Snoh Aalegra. I’m drawn to music that’s intentional, cinematic, and full of detail.

What’s the most challenging part of your music career?

Honestly, it’s me. I’m the hardest part. My fear, my frustration, my perfectionism, my self-doubt. I have to fight through all of it constantly. Sometimes I’m my biggest strength, and other times I’m the one holding myself back. But the good thing is, if I’m the problem, I’m also the solution. That mindset helps me to keep growing. It puts the power back in my hands.

What are your immediate music goals?

Right now, I’m focused on finishing my album and performing, writing, and composing as much as I possibly can. I want to keep putting in those 10,000 hours, keep getting sharper, and keep expanding what I think is possible for myself. Creating brings me joy. It reminds me why I’m here.

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I think most of us can relate to that challenge!

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