Eliza Howells Visits Section 36 Music!

Another visitor to Section 36! Eliza Howells graced us with her incredible release, “Just the Wine”. I was honored that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

I thought your latest single, “Just the Wine”, was just outstanding. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! "Just the Wine" is about opening yourself up to vulnerability. I wrote it at a time when I was putting a lot of energy into being hard-hearted. The emotions that I was experiencing felt so insurmountable, it seemed that the best way to deal with them was to ignore them entirely. "Just the Wine" is about coming to terms with the fact that closing yourself off to emotion and connection might actually hurt more than it helps. 

You also released a music video for the song. What was it like putting that together?

Making the music video for "Just the Wine" was such a cool experience. The director, Ethan Dunlap, and I filmed the video in a couple hours with a backdrop, smartphone, and tripod in my living room. A few of the takes were filmed in 2x speed and some in 0.5x, while Ethan shined a flashlight on my face at different angles. I tried my best to stay in character, so to speak, but it was really funny to be lip-syncing to my own voice at different speeds. Afterwards, Ethan edited the clips together with different color effects to create the final product! 

Do you see more studio work in your future?

Yes! I actually have a new song called "Fear the Worst" (and a music video) that will be out in late September. It's a lot like another song of mine called "Night Life" because it juxtaposes a moving dance beat with sometimes somber lyrics. I love playing with different contrasting emotions and feelings in my work. I am also currently in the process of recording a few more songs that I'm very excited about, more on those soon!

You have a theatre background. What do you enjoy about performing live in front of an audience?

I love getting to connect with an audience through music. Over the last few years I've been fortunate to perform my own pop songs live, as well as perform with a number of opera companies in their productions. Pop and opera might not seem to have many similarities on the surface, but in my mind they are alike because of their use of musical form, vocality, and aesthetics to convey feeling. Whether it's someone coming up to me after a gig to say they resonated with my lyrics, or hearing the audience's reaction as I sing a villainous opera role, I love getting to evoke emotion and share in the communal experience of music with an audience. 

What Disney song would you most want to cover?

It would have to be a Hannah Montana song. I've had a lot of musical influences over the years, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention the influence Miley's character had on me! As a kid, I saw the 3D Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds Concert movie and was totally taken by her ability to connect with the audience, as well as all of the behind-the-scenes footage of life as a performer. I knew then that I was going to perform and write music myself. It would be so fun to perform "Rock Star" or "Best of Both Worlds" and bring that dream full circle. 

What are your immediate musical goals?

I am really excited about finding more ways to blend my pop and operatic worlds. I want to incorporate operatic vocal technique and instrumentation in my pop music, or write opera works that use pop style synths and form. My favorite kind of musical projects are ones that incorporate all of an artist's contrasting influences to create something that is unique, but still impactful to a wide audience. I hope to do that with my music! I feel really grateful to be a part of the musical community in Boston, and I'm excited to keep working. 

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Oh, I love the sound of that, and can't wait to see what she comes up with!

As always, I want to thank Eliza 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 and what those next steps will be. I would follow her on Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again, Eliza, and good luck reaching your goals!

My Creative Process

By Evanie

Every song I write starts with a spark—a phrase, a melody, sometimes even just a single word that won’t leave my head until I give it a home. I’ve learned that my best ideas rarely show up when I’m sitting at a desk with an instrument in my hands. Instead, they sneak in when I’m walking, showering, or half-asleep at 2 a.m. That’s why my phone is packed with messy voice memos of me humming ideas I can barely remember recording.

Once I catch that spark, I usually sit at the piano or grab my guitar. I don’t worry about structure yet—I just let myself play, sing nonsense syllables, and see where the emotion leads me. I treat it like sculpting clay: at first, it’s shapeless, but the more I mold it, the more it starts to reveal what it wants to become.
Lyrics often come last for me. I tend to write around a feeling first. Maybe the chord progression already feels like heartbreak, or maybe the melody carries an energy of hope. Once I’ve identified that emotional core, the words tend to pour out. Sometimes I’ll rewrite them ten times; sometimes the first draft sticks.

That process taught me patience—and also that sometimes the first draft is closer to the truth than I think.

But the truth is, my creative process is never exactly the same twice. Some songs arrive in one sitting, almost fully formed, and others take weeks of tinkering. Either way, I love the mystery of it—the way music feels like both a gift I’m receiving and a craft I’m shaping.

And honestly, that’s the magic for me. Writing music feels like catching lightning in a bottle—impossible to plan, but unforgettable when it happens.

If you’d like to hear where that process has taken me so far, you can listen to my debut singles on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you stream your music. It’s just the beginning, and I can’t wait to share more with you.

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Evanie is a 17-year-old French singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has released two self-produced singles—her debut in October 2024 and a follow-up in June 2025. Passionate and determined, she’s excited to continue sharing her music with the world.

Don't miss her interview with Section 36 Music to learn more about this incredible artist.

Jennifer Tee Visits Section 36!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Jennifer Tee recently released her incredible single, “lovelocked”. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

I just love your recent single, “lovelocked”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! I wrote "lovelocked" about all my not-so-little hopes and aspirations for the future, but feeling this overwhelming sense of guilt about leaving home to pursue my passion as a musician. The song speaks for all the dreamers, yearners and anxious-attachments out there. I felt as though I would lose everyone and everything the second I got on the flight to Boston. So this song acts as a plea for things to change, but simultaneously stay the same - to tell everyone I love them, and "lock it"!

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Lizzy McAlpine, Conan Gray and Gracie Abrams are my Top 3! To me, writing songs is like creating a scrapbook: taking little scraps from my everyday life, whether that be objects, thoughts or conversations and making them all my own! 

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

I knew that if I was going to pursue music, I had to go full out, and to me, Berklee was the only way to do so. To be around a community full of musicians and being able to share a common language is so fascinating and inspiring!

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

Performing makes me feel like I actually have a voice, an opportunity to pour my heart out, and for people to connect with me through the music. I get so emotional every time I get to perform my own songs knowing that what I'm singing about is making other people feel seen and heard. I just enjoy the fact that everyone in the audience is so connected spiritually and it's incredible to see the power of music shine through.

If you could cover any Disney song, which one would you choose? Why?

100% When Will My Life Begin from Tangled!!! Rapunzel is my absolute favorite Disney Princess, not only because her color is purple (purple is my favorite color), but also her energy and mindset for life. Plus the song is just super fun to sing - I'd love to perform it one day!!

What are your immediate musical goals?

To begin fine-tuning my artist identity! I hope to be able to connect with more songwriters at Berklee and begin collaborating too!!

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Certainly sounds like she's headed in the right direction!

As always, I want to thank Jennifer 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 and what those next steps will be. I would follow her on Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again, Jennifer, and good luck reaching your goals!

ISA visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! ISA is fresh off her recent release, “Lentes De Color”. I was so glad that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

I love your recent single “Lentes De Color”. What can you tell me about it?

Lentes De Color is about the feelings you begin to experience the first time you fall in love—the butterflies, the giggles, and that sense that suddenly everything makes sense. When you’re in that stage, even things that might normally feel gray—like certain actions or words—suddenly transform into something colorful and full of life. I wanted the song to capture that shift in perspective, when love makes the whole world feel brighter.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

My favorite memory was being with my friends in our college dorm and just playing around with melodies and funny words. It felt so natural and fun—like we were just hanging out, not “working.” Whenever we got stuck on a part and finally found the word or meaning we were looking for, we would literally jump around the room, so excited that we figured it out. Those moments of pure joy and creativity are what I’ll always remember about making Lentes De Color.

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

When I was searching for music schools, I came across Berklee and immediately had this deep feeling that, somehow, I would end up here. I wanted a place where I could meet people from all around the world, each bringing their own influences, styles, and culture—and that’s exactly what Berklee offers. Being surrounded by that kind of diversity is incredibly inspiring and pushes me to grow not only as a musician but also as a person.

Who or what would you say is your biggest musical inspiration?

It's hard to choose just one, but I'd say my biggest inspiration comes from my family and cultural background. The music I grew up with shaped my sense of rhythm and melody. On the artist side, one of my biggest influences are Miley Cyrus, Kali Uchis, The Marias, and more!

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

For me, it's the energy exchange. Watching people sing-along with you is one of the most fun things ever!

What are your immediate musical goals?

Right now, I’m focused on releasing a couple more singles, and in October I’ll be releasing my very first album! It’s something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time, so I’m really excited to finally share it. My goal is to keep putting out music that feels authentic to me and to connect with as many people as possible through these songs.

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I am definitely excited about an album!

As always, I want to thank ISA 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 and what those next steps will be. I would follow her on Instagram and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again, ISA, and good luck reaching your goals!

Sophia B – “Can’t Erase” (Out Sept 17)

 

Rising singer-songwriter Sophia B, age 21, returns with her haunting new single “Can’t Erase” (out September 17). 

The song explores unforgettable connections that linger in our minds, haunting us even when they’re no longer good for us, with lyrics like:

“Please save me from these memories / Thoughts of you and me that I can't erase…”

Co-produced by Matthew Golub (son of legendary guitarist Jeff Golub), and featuring Steven Mejia on piano/bass and Jacob Singson on drums, the track blends Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B, and folk influences. Sophia is currently at Berklee Valencia, and the music video and album cover nod to Europe’s historic landscapes — a visual metaphor for memories that can’t be erased.

Early curator praise:
“The vocal performance stood out as soulful and expressive…We’re officially adding Can’t Erase to our Indie Soul & Motion playlist!” – Indie Space Records

“The vibe felt smooth and emotional…a unique character that stays with you after listening.” – Galaxy Frog

Pre-save: Here

Listen / Watch: [YouTube]

Previously on Section 36: Sophia B Visits Section 36!

Caroline, from Bands of DFW, Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Someone a little different again today. Caroline is the founder of the fantastic Instagram account, Bands of DFW. Her goal is to feature and promote bands performing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I was thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the account, her goals, and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

What made you decide to start your account, “Bands of DFW”?

When I created Bands of DFW, it came from a mix of passions: people, connection, communication, and of course, music. Honestly, everyone should thank two sources of inspiration: my mom and my friends’ bands.

For months, my mom kept suggesting I start some kind of branded Instagram account, maybe one that featured “product testing” or “space showcasing” in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. I brushed her off repeatedly, insisting I was “too busy” or “unable.” But then one night at a show, the lightbulb moment happened.

I had been following my friends’ bands for months. I knew how talented they were, yet their social media numbers didn’t reflect what I was experiencing live. In that moment, it clicked: musicians deserve more exposure in an increasingly competitive market. With everything they already do behind the scenes, social media often falls to the backburner, and I knew I could help fill that gap.

I also knew two things for sure: I love people and I love music. I realized I could create something that gives artists a chance to showcase their work to a wider audience. As a graduate student studying communication and media, this project aligned perfectly with both my personal passions and academic interests.

Music has always been a source of connection for me, and I believe it always will be. Dallas- Fort Worth isn’t just where I live, it is an up-and-coming hub for inspired creatives. With all of that in mind, Bands of DFW was born one day in a coffee shop in Arlington, Texas. I haven’t looked back since.

What is your favorite part about running the account?

This is going to be my favorite question to answer because it is the easiest. I love the connections that I make daily to not only musicians in the area but also owners of bars, music complex owners, studios, writers, editors, podcasters, and other social media gurus like me.

Again, I love people, and I love hearing everyone’s stories. Social media, while sometimes detrimental, is such a fantastic place for connection. I am getting to meet people day after day

who are different from me in so many fantastic ways. There are so many friends I could cite here and so many creatives who I am often inspired by. I am just grateful that I share the space with so many people who are passionate about making DFW a space where music can be heard.

How do you find bands to feature?

I find bands in a variety of ways. In the beginning stages it was who was playing at shows that I was already attending, and now it has slowly transitioned to who reaches out or what I see online. I am usually looking online for when people post and checking my direct messages like a crazy person. It really appreciate when musicians send me flyers for their shows or tag me in their posts.

What do you enjoy most about attending shows?

My account primarily focuses on the live aspect and there is a reason for that. I love live music. When the energy is just right at a live show, the whole room changes, the energy changes, and I think you often leave changed. Bands can be who they want to be on a stage, with little to no judgement when they’re live, and I love the authenticity that comes with being at a live show.

What would you say are your biggest challenges running Bands of DFW?

I am a one woman show, and I keep busy. I am a teacher’s assistant, a graduate student, a media coordinator at a non-profit organization, an on and off freelance worker, an occasional volleyball coach when I have the time, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and I run my own brand.

This is all fantastic and I love to be busy because my passions lie in multiple areas, but often I think that I can be unavailable to be at shows due to other commitments.

As much as I want to make everyone happy, I also sometimes need flexibility to not make it to a show and have someone record a video of the bands that I am unable to get. For the bands out there, this is your sign to have a designated friend who records at least one song you do live, because not only is this good for me, but it is even better for you. I will give a little tip, people on social media love to see what I like to call “tangible results.” If you are in a band, they want to know what you sound like and if you never have someone recording you, you never have the chance to show others your art. Do not let hard work go to waste in that way.

Do you have any immediate account goals?

I have a lot of projects and a good amount of collaboration opportunities coming up soon, but I will not disclose any of that information just yet. Mainly, I just want to see the account continue to grow, because I want to watch the musicians I help, succeed. Right now, I am happy with where the account is at. I tell people all the time, this was a risk that I was willing to take, and if in the end it fails, I will have done everything I could to keep it up and running. I am super proud of it right now and I think this will be something that I will be proud of for the rest of my life.

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How wonderful!

As always, I want to thank Caroline for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview. 

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow along and see what is going on in DFW. I would follow Bands of DFW on Instagram and Everywhere else you can find it to make sure you don't miss a thing. And, if you're a band/musician in the D-FW area, be sure to reach out and let her know you saw her on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again, Caroline! Good luck reaching your goals!