Nova Jimenez Visits Section 36 Music!

It's time for another visitor to Section 36 Music! Nova Jimenez is a fantastic artist with recent single that you won't want to miss. 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 Nova Jimenez visits Section 36 Music!

What can you tell me about your recent single?

My recent single “Tus Ojos” is written and arranged as a nostalgic bolero, and a love letter to my culture and my roots. Being half-Spanish, half-Venezuelan, and also growing up in Miami amidst Latinos from all kinds of places, I had a huge variety of musical influences growing up. It’s my first original composition, which has taken me from being just a songwriter to a composer. The lyrics are in Spanish, but I do want to preface that you don’t need to understand the lyrics to feel the love poured into it. The most important thing to take away from the song, even if you don’t speak it, is that it’s about finding unconditional love after experiencing several loves lost. It’s about finding someone who feels like home.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

My favorite memory from the recording process was in one of the first studio sessions recording vocals. Cathy and Gustavo (my producer and recording engineer) were recording a few main vocal takes to use for the final song and as a reference for the instrumentalists. Unfortunately, since it was 2 am and we were all starving, Gustavo reminded me after the second-to-last take that I really needed to sing the lyrics and feel what I was writing- it was a simple reminder, but when I finished recording the final take everyone held their breath. 

After I left the booth and spoke with them, Gustavo told me he almost cried. The take was perfect.

In that moment I felt a shift in the project, and I really understood what it felt like to be supported by a team that truly understood the vision for what I wanted to release. 

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

I love that Berklee has people from all kinds of backgrounds-I feel like I’ve learned so much about my culture musically, but also about other cultures and their perspectives. I feel like Berklee has connections and programs that are not easy to find anywhere else. I’ve grown exponentially as a musician but even moreso as a person. The people I have met and continue to work with have such a special place in my heart.

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

One of my favorite things about performing on stage is that I love seeing people dance to the music I’m performing! I feel like in this day and age, some people are scared to because it’s embarrassing or they’ll be recorded. As a performer, watching people not just listen, but feel the music through their bodies, shows me that I’m doing my job right. Suddenly, the music isn’t just surface-level anymore; now it's an experience.

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

If I could sing any song I would definitely choose Remember Me from Coco. I cried when I first watched the scene with Miguel and Mama Coco, especially because my grandfather used to sing to my mom. It’s very bittersweet, but I think that’s what gives it so much of an emotional hold on me and so many others. 

What are your immediate musical goals?

My immediate musical goals right now are to have as many people connect with “Tus Ojos”  and get more music out- I want to show people what I can create! Through Berklee I am constantly evolving along with my writing and composition styles, and I am beyond excited to share that journey with anyone who will listen. 

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Can't wait for those new releases!

As always, I want to thank Nova for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures (taken by cathyphotosyes) 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, Nova, and good luck reaching your goals!