Rue Vega Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Rue Vega has a recent single you won't want to miss! Go ahead and listen to it now. I was thrilled she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, her goals, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

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

Thank you so much! When I wrote I Like Her, I thought it was just a song for my own healing and processing. I had just gone through a really big breakup that took up the end of my teenage years, and was in the process of figuring out who I was as an adult, single. The writing process started from a place of anger and frustration at myself- I wished that I had known better, I wished I could go back and undo my mistakes. But as I was reflecting on the past few years of my life, I realized that I actually liked the woman I was becoming. It hit me that if I hadn’t made those mistakes, I wouldn’t be the person I am now, and that makes it all worth it. The choice of the word “like” was intentional too- I was still in the process of forgiveness (towards my ex and myself). I chose to reclaim the moments that broke me and turn them into the story of how I fought through and survived. Even though I didn’t love who I was yet, I was starting to like her. 

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

I actually don’t currently attend Berklee! I did my freshman year in 2022-2023, was approached by an artist development team in January of 2023, and made the decision to take a gap year to work with them. The gap year turned into 3 years, and here I am! I loved the time I spent at Berklee- I happened to be visiting the city my senior year of high school during orientation week, and when I saw everyone on the front steps playing guitar and singing I just had this gut feeling that it was where I was meant to be. Every class I took developed me as an artist and songwriter. I still use the skills I learned in Harmony and Ear Training when I’m writing a song! But I left because I wanted to devote 100% of my time to working with this team, and it was definitely worth it. 

What do you enjoy most about performing live on stage?

I love performing live SO much! I think my favorite part is getting to interact with the audience. I’m a storyteller at heart, so getting the chance to tell the story behind the song to people who are listening and excited to hear about it is the best feeling. It’s something that gets lost in a 30 second TikTok. I also find that it develops the song itself, even if it’s been finished for a long time. I had a moment over the summer where I was performing my unreleased song “Frost On The Water” and I played a wrong chord, and had to improvise a new ending to the song that I actually fell in love with. I do that ending every time I play that song now!

What would you say is your biggest musical challenge?

I would say production. I honestly really love production, but I’m out of practice so I feel like I’m relearning everything. My 2 singles that I released this year were both produced by Matt Bronleewe in Nashville, and he did an incredible job producing them, but I missed doing it myself. I knew exactly what I wanted for “I Wish You Knew” and “I Like Her”, and he helped me to execute that vision so well, but a big goal for me is to learn how to execute that myself!

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

“For The First Time In Forever” from Frozen! Anna is me if I was a Disney princess for sure. I love the joy and anticipation in the song, it’s what moving to Boston felt like!

What are your immediate musical goals?

I’m currently producing my debut album! My goal is to start promoting the songs on socials in the new year and release it late 2026. I’m super excited to get these songs out!

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I'm super excited for that album!

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

Emily Nawrocki Visits Section 36 Music!

I'm so glad that Section 36 Music has another visitor! Emily Nawrocki has a catalog full of amazing music, and a recent single you need to listen to immediately! Check it out as soon as you can. I was thrilled she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, her goals, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

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

“Lipstick” came from a place of pure frustration. It’s about being so angry that you want to write a song, but at the same time you’re completely fed up with writing about the same person over and over again. It’s like you’re holding your guitar and part of you just wants to smash it instead of writing one more emotional song. The song almost turns that emotional exhaustion into something physical, which is why I jokingly call it my fun little mystery murder song. It was also an amazing collaboration with my producer, John Mailloux, who’s a Grammy-nominated producer and truly incredible to work with. We leaned into the drama, the tension, and the release, and the song ended up becoming even better than I anticipated. 

You participated in “America’s Next Top Hitmaker”. What was that experience like? 

It was crazy in the best way. Being thrown into such a fast-paced, competitive environment forced me to trust my instincts and stop overthinking — which I’m very good at doing. It was a competition that relied heavily on your fanbase… and mine came ready to show up for me. 

You’re a graduate of Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing Berklee did for your career? 

Berklee is where I became Emily Nawrocki the artist instead of just Emily who sings. The community there was everything — the musicians I played with, the producers I learned from, and the mentors who saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself. Berklee taught me discipline, resilience, and how to show up professionally. But it also let me experiment and find my sound. 

What is the biggest challenge you face with your music career? 

The biggest challenge is juggling everything as an independent artist — writing, recording, performing, managing social media, booking, marketing… all of it. It can be overwhelming, but it’s also empowering because every win feels entirely earned. Balancing the creative side with the business side is definitely a constant learning experience for me. 

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

I’d choose “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. It’s such an emotional, yearning song, and it has that big, dramatic vocal moment that I love sinking into. Plus, the message of wanting more — wanting to grow — is something I really connect with as an artist.

What are your immediate musical goals? 

Right now, I’m focused on releasing more music consistently. I want to grow the fanbase that’s been forming, keep building momentum, and perform more around Boston and beyond. My biggest goal is to keep reaching people who connect with the honesty in my songs. And I’m already working on more music that I’m insanely excited for.

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I'm insanely excited to hear that music as well!

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

Ava Dallas Visits Section 36 Music!

At long last, Ava Dallas visited Section 36 Music! Ava has a fantastic musical catalog, and a recent single you won't want to miss! Be sure to check it out as soon as you can. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, her goals, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

Your recent single, “Boy and a Ghost”, is just outstanding. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you!! It really started to grow on me after I released it. I originally posted a little snippet to this song, I think it was just the first verse and chorus. The response i got from viewers on social media was pretty re-assuring that I should make it into a full song, so I did! I then got a comment from someone saying “if this was released on Halloween that would be perfect,” and I just thought that was the best idea (hence it being about a ghost) so I SCRAMBLED to get the production done so I could release it on halloween (i posted the video on oct 8 and typically you need a final product of a song 2 weeks before the release), so I only had a week and a half to finish production, recording, mixing and mastering.. a process that normally takes about at least 4 weeks depending on who you ask. 

The song is about a girl who loses herself in a relationship to the point of no return. It’s so easy to get caught up in someone else and start obsessing over the things they care about until your whole life slowly starts to circle around them. I’ve done that in past relationships and now that I’m not in one I can actually see how easy it is to lose sight of yourself without even realizing it. That’s where the ghost idea came from because it felt like I faded so far into the background that a version of me kind of disappeared in that relationship.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

Yes! My super talented friend, Daniel McCurdy wanted to help out on the drums and bass for this record. We spent a couple sessions together and shared some laughs and a good time piecing things together. I love collaborating on things and doing this song was especially fun!

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

Getting to see how many people relate to the lyrics I write (especially the ones that make me feel the most alone) is honestly my favorite part of performing. There’s something really powerful about being vulnerable in front of a room full of strangers and realizing they’re feeling the same things you are. Not everyone gets the chance to stand on a stage and share the parts of themselves they usually hide, and I feel really lucky that my career is moving in a direction where I get to do that. 

What would you say is the biggest challenge with your musical career?

At this point in my career I’d say the most challenging part is figuring out my “thing” and what actually makes me stand out from everyone else who grew up wanting to be a performer or musician. Then taking that “thing” and trying to translate it onto social media is a whole separate challenge that I’m still learning how to navigate. Being an artist requires a lot of self-evaluation. It’s not something we’re naturally born knowing how to do, so shifting into that mindset where I have to step outside myself and really see who I am the way others do has honestly been a bit of a puzzle. But it’s a puzzle I’m completely willing to figure out.

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

Ooo I would definitely cover Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid or Almost There from The Princess and The Frog. I love Tiana, I think she’s such a boss lady and her vocal agility is crazy. I also love the jazziness that comes with it and that movie as a whole. I aspire to be Tiana honestly.

What are your immediate musical goals?

As of right now my most immediate goal is to finish producing my album and hopefully release it early this summer. I’ve always felt like albums are such a monumental step for an artist because creating a full body of work really helps shape an artist image and define what their sound actually is. I’m excited to unravel it all.

I also aspire to land a publishing deal. I write and produce a lot of genres and have many songs that I feel maybe aren’t the most suitable for me, but definitely for others I’d like to pitch one day!

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I'm definitely excited to hear that album!

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 to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

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

Kaia Mac Visits Section 36 Music!

It's time for a visit from Kaia Mac! Kaia has an EP that you need to listen to to believe. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, her goals, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

What can you tell me about your EP, “Journal Entries for my Therapist?”

Journal Entries for My Therapist is a collection of songs I wrote over my four years at Berklee. Each track came out of some of the hardest moments I faced, whether with my mental health, love, friendships, or just trying to grow up.

What’s special is that every song began the same way: I’d sit down to journal during a rough moment, trying to sort through my feelings, and the entry would naturally turn into a song. I didn’t originally intend to make an EP, this project found me. Honestly, they really were journal entries for my therapist.

After writing each piece, I shared it with the three people I trusted most: my mom, my therapist, and my best friend. By the time I graduated, I realized I had a cohesive, deeply personal collection of music. Recording it over two years with so many of my friends made it even more meaningful.

To me, this EP represents the community that’s grown around me! People who show up for me and create with me, even in the hard times. I’ve never loved a project as much as I love this one.

Do you see more studio work in your future?

Absolutely! I definitely see more studio work in my future. I’m currently recording two new singles that I’m really excited about. One of them is a song I wrote with my friend Nikki Orrick (@nick.nooodle on IG), and it wrestles with the idea of not always having the capacity to give, even to the people we love most.

The other track was written with my friend Marco (@balthazard on IG), and it taps into my ongoing ‘curse’ when it comes to love. I’m really proud of where both songs are headed and can’t wait to share more soon.

You’re a graduate of Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing Berklee did for your career?

Berklee pushed me in ways I never expected. It didn’t just make me a better songwriter, it completely reshaped how I see myself as an artist. I grew so much there, both creatively and personally, and I found an incredible community of musicians who continue to inspire me and grow with me.

It wasn’t perfect, no school is, but it was my dream since fourth grade. Getting to actually live that dream still makes my heart feel full. I’ll always be grateful for what Berklee gave me and for the person it helped me become.

What would you say is the biggest challenge for your music career?

I think the biggest challenge in my music career, and probably for most independent artists, is simply finding the strength to keep going. Being a small artist can be incredibly discouraging at times. It takes a lot of willpower to keep creating, keep believing in your work, and keep chasing dreams when the progress feels slow or even invisible.

But I also know it would be a disservice to myself to stop now. I’ve come this far, and I owe it to myself to keep pushing, even when it’s hard.

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

Oh my god, this is the best question ever! You’re a diva for this. I’d choose either ‘I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)’ from Hercules, or ‘Almost There’ from The Princess and the Frog.

I’d pick ‘I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)’ because I went through a very real phase in middle school where I watched Hercules every single day after school. I’m genuinely emotionally attached to that song in an unhealthy way (lol).

‘Almost There’ has always stuck with me because of the impact the movie had when it came out. It was the first time I saw a Black princess on screen, and she was working so hard for her dreams. I lowkey want to be Tiana when I grow up.

What are your immediate musical goals?

Right now, my main musical goals are to play as many shows as possible, stay consistent on social media, and release the singles I’m currently working on. Long-term, I’d love to release a full album, but that’s a goal for the future. I'm focused on building the foundation first.

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Those sound like perfect goals to me!

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

Alma Michonik Visits Section 36 music!

Section 36 Had another visitor! Alma Michonik has a recent single that is just phenomenal. You'll want to hear it over and over. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, her goals, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

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

What can you tell me about your recent single, “Slowly But Fast”?

“Slowly But Fast” is actually the first song I ever wrote. I wrote it during a songwriting and composition workshop because I wanted to push myself creatively and explore that side of me for the first time. I ended up recording it and ironically it reached number one on the chart. The song is about my partner and our story — how I fell in love with him slowly, but also somehow very fast :) 

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

Yes. I recorded the song with an artist I really admire - Gil Bar Hadas, who also produced it. It was an amazing experience to combine our ideas since I love his work so much, and then hear it transform into my first song.  

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

I love the feeling of freedom, not overthinking, and just enjoying the moment. I’m not fully there yet, but that sense of release and connection is my biggest goal as a performer. Every time I’m on stage, I feel myself getting a little closer to it.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical inspirations?

Sade is one of my biggest inspirations. I love her production style, the use of instruments, and her stunning vocal tone. I’m very drawn to music that incorporates real instruments, but there are so many artists with unique nuances that I absolutely love and draw inspiration from as well.

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

I’d choose “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog. Besides being a beautiful song, I really connect to the lyrics. They talk about determination, trusting the process, and being close to reaching your dreams — and I feel like I’m “almost there” in my own journey too :)

What are your immediate musical goals?

My main goals right now are to develop my sound and shape what will eventually become the signature “Alma sound.” I want to perform as much as I can, LEARN and apply, and collaborate with new artists and producers. I feel like each of these steps brings me closer to understanding who I am musically.

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I am definitely enjoying the "Alma Sound" thus far!

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

New Music From Olivia Cloud!

I'm sure that you love the latest single from Olivia Cloud, "Adore Me Again". I know I do. It's another case where I want to learn all I can about the song,  and can only assume that you feel that way as well. Thankfully, Olivia was willing to answer a few questions about the song so we could all appreciate it even more.

Here's what she had to say!

What do you want listeners to know about the song?

“Adore Me Again” isn’t just another breakup song, it’s about a journey of self love. It’s about learning to love yourself in order to move on. With heavy pop rock influences, multiple guitars emulate the disarray of heartbreak and a strong drum beat driving the tune forward displays the force of time, “the best medicine”

How did you come up with the song title?

I like the double meaning of the title. Upon first glance, it might look like “Adore Me Again” is about someone trying to get someone back after a breakup, but in reality it’s about self love first. The title, while up to interpretation, to me is about yearning and learning to love yourself as deeply as you loved someone who left you. 

Do you have any favorite memories from the creation process?

During the creation process, I was lucky enough to play some gigs and play the song before it was released. I always loved telling the story of how I wrote it. It was about me “stalking” an ex boyfriend outside of a Vietnamese restaurant. I saw him go in and I waited outside so we could walk past each other and he could see “how well I was doing”, and then it started raining. Eventually I realized I was just cold and wet- and not in the good way. So I went home and wrote this song. But it’s nice to bond with the crowd and drop a little bit of lore so they can get excited for the release!

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I want to thank Olivia for taking the time to share this look at her single with us, and for sending the amazing pictures, all taken by Mark Shur

Be sure to follow her on Instagram, and Spotify to make sure you won't miss anything! 

Thanks again Olivia!