“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.

Inspiring Madóc

As I continue streaming the recent debut EP from Madóc, "Adrenaline Demos"I still want to learn more about this incredible artist. Luckily Madóc was willing to help us all out again by answering some questions about what inspires and influences her. 

Hope you enjoy what she has to say!

How did the Irish influences make their way into your music?

I have always felt connected to my Irish roots as my mom is from there. I grew up going back all the time to visit family and over the years have gone on several solo Ireland trips too -  it’s my home away from home. In terms of music, the soundtrack of my childhood was primarily a mix of U2, The Cranberries and traditional Irish music. With my Irish family, we’re the ones closing out the bars with a traditional Irish “sing-song,” harmonizing with cousins in the car or on a stage, or dancing til the morning to Irish music. When making my own music, I hadn’t intended to have Irish influence in them, it sort of just happened naturally. I feel empowered when I get to sing a riff or a celtic wail similar to Dolores O’Riordan or Hozier, and even stronger when I get to storytell in my songs like my ancestors would have. This is an incredibly important part of who I am that I will always cherish.

How has your music been influenced by your upbringing in the Pacific Northwest?

My PNW upbringing definitely influences my nature-esque

metaphors in my lyrics. But also, even in my aesthetic as an artist, I feel like I try to encompass the colors and feelings of being pulled into the forest and met with your deepest truths. My song, “The Creek” is about the literal creek behind my house where I spent so much time feeling free and imaginative. So when I think of the PNW in my music, I think of coming home to my real honest self and just being grounded by nature.

Who would you consider your biggest musical influences?

By far my biggest musical influences are Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries, Maggie Rogers, Chappell Roan and King Princess. I’ve always been drawn to big powerful singers but also those who bring an edge to their performance. I love hearing the emotions in Dolores’s and Maggie’s voices and how they go back and forth from ethereal falsetto, to a powerful chest voice. Maggie’s lyrics have always entranced me with how she brings in nature into her songs. Chappell and King Princess don’t shy away from writing about the queer experience in all of its color. I think they also both bring a commanding and sexy stage presence to their performances and much of that I know is influenced by drag queens. My hope is to take pieces of influence from each of these artists and make my artistry my own!

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Be sure to follow Madóc on Instagram, and stream Adrenaline Demos to be sure you won't miss it! Also, be sure to check out all of here appearances her on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again Madóc!

Madóc Talks About "Adrenaline Demos"

Like most of you, I absolutely adore the recent debut EP from Madóc, "Adrenaline Demos". And, if you're anything like me, when you love music you want to learn all you can about it. Luckily Madóc was willing to help us all out with that by answering some questions about the release for us. 

Hope you enjoy what she has to say!

What can you tell me about your debut EP, “Adrenaline Demos”?

Adrenaline Demos is a collection of six songs of mine in their stripped down form. I have been performing my original work for a little over a year now as a solo acoustic artist. I wanted to capture this time in one EP to cherish these songs in their original form before building them into something more with my band. In terms of the EP storyline, I write about a lot of things but when choosing which songs to include, I wanted to focus on the most introspective songs that have been my foundation over the last year - the ones that just tell the story of me as a person. The EP was recorded primarily in one live session during an adrenaline rush, so any emotions, whether tender or powerful, are all there. I’m really proud of this project and I hope others feel connected to it too.

What do you remember most about the recording process?

The recording for this EP all happened during a really intense time of my life. I was super busy with work and I had a lot going on personally. When I look back, it feels like a blur. My friend Morgan and I had tried recording a few of the songs in different sessions but my voice would be shaky or tired, and it just wasn’t coming out how I wanted. Then, one day I ran into the studio and said “I have so much adrenaline, we have to record everything now!” We recorded five out of the six songs in that one session. Morgan was super supportive in powering through that with me and I think it just goes to show how these songs have helped me work through my own struggles. Music is healing, so I just want my listeners to know that as much as these songs may help them get through tough times, that’s how it felt for me when writing and recording them.

Do any of the songs on the EP stand out in your mind?

I have a personal attachment to my song Rewind. It’s my favorite by far. I wrote it after my first real heartbreak which was also my first time being in a lesbian relationship, so it was a very powerful experience. I remember writing it literally in tears on my bed within two hours - it just poured out of me. But I think why I love it so much is because up until that point, I had never understood what everyone around me was experiencing when it came to romantic love and loss. So as much as it was crushing to experience, it was also heartwarming because I felt like I could understand others so much better and I felt more human. I started to understand lyrics and songs in ways I never could before because I actually related to those feelings and emotions. So everytime I play this song, I’m brought back to that moment and filled up again with all of the same emotions. This song is about longing to restart with a person, wishing the circumstances could be different so you could be together or just wanting to rewatch the movie of us over and over again. I think especially in regards to a first love, it is about always holding love for that person even as time passes.

What was the photo shoot like creating the EP artwork?

The EP artwork was all done by my friend and band-mate,Madison McGrory! She is soooo talented. We took the photos at Revere Beach on this beautiful evening when the sun was bright red. The concept came to be because the beach is where I find peace. I always feel like I can completely let down there. And so we took pics of me running, spinning, being pensive, and more. This was to try and capture the adrenaline rush met with deep grounding I get when I’m at the beach in my happy place. I chose the final EP pic as that one because I actually couldn’t stop looking at it and thinking, “Wow, I really am beautiful.” It felt like a nod to my younger self in saying yeah, pick the photo of your whole face even if it’s scary! There’s a lot going on behind my eyes in the photo and I think the EP gives my listeners some insight into what that is.

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Be sure to follow Madóc on Instagram, and stream Adrenaline Demos to be sure you won't miss it! Also, be sure to check out all of here appearances her on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again Madóc!

EMMA HARNER REVEALS DEBUT EP, TAKING MY SIDE

July 11, 2025 — Rising singer-songwriter and guitarist Emma Harner reveals her highly anticipated debut EP, Taking My Side.  The 5-track collection—featuring previously released singles "False Alarm" and "Do It" alongside three new songs, "Yes Man, "Lifetimes," and "Again"—is a coming-of-age body of work shaped by emotional upheaval, self-examination, and quiet resilience. Known for a distinctive sound that fuses the intimacy of folk with the complexity of math rock, Harner brings a rare mix of technical mastery and emotional honesty to everything she creates. "'Taking My Side' is a collection of songs from a time in my life when I was going through some big changes,” Harner shares. "The title is a reference to the song 'Yes Man,' which is about a friendship gone awry. To me, 'taking my side' means putting myself first, not being such a pushover, and recognizing when someone is working against me. In many ways this record is a mantra for myself." Across the EP, Harner showcases her signature blend of intricate guitar work and emotionally direct songwriting as she navigates the highs, lows, and growing pains of young adulthood. "False Alarm" captures the disorientation of homesickness, while "Do It" unpacks miscommunication and emotional fallout. "Lifetimes" floats through memory and existential doubt, and on "Yes Man," she reckons with people-pleasing and the slow, steady act of reclaiming power. The closing track, "Again," explores the quiet, repetitive ache of heartbreak and the difficulty of letting go. Through it all, Harner emerges with a clearer sense of self and a sound that’s entirely her own. Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska and now based in Boston, Harner has developed a distinctive sound that fuses the intimacy of folk with the complexity of math rock. She first gained attention through a series of viral videos on Instagram and TikTok, quickly building a devoted following drawn to her virtuosic playing, harmonic sophistication, and emotionally resonant songwriting. In 2024, her debut single "When You Mean It" premiered as a Zane Lowe World First. Since then, she has toured as direct support for Orla Gartland on both her 2024 U.S. and 2025 European runs, and has opened for artists including mxmtoon, Tiny Habits, and The Bygones. With the release of Taking My Side, Emma Harner emerges not only as a gifted guitarist and songwriter but as an artist coming into her own with clarity, purpose, and heart. Taking My Side Track List: 1. False Alarm 2. Do It 3. Yes Man 4. Lifetimes 5. Again Taking My Side is out on all streaming platforms on July 11

Photo Credit: Sydney Tate (@sydneytateb)

Follow Emma Harner: Website Instagram TikTok Substack Spotify YouTube

MADÓC RELEASES DEBUT EP “ADRENALINE DEMOS” ON JUNE 29TH, 2025

 Listen on 6/29 / Follow here

Breakout Celtic Folk Pop artist, Madóc, releases her debut EP Adrenaline Demos - a six track live session project time-capsuling her most cherished songs in their skeletal acoustic form. The EP is raw, gritty and flooded with self reflection. With powerful vocals reminiscent of Deloris O’Riordan of The Cranberries and honest storytelling influenced by Maggie Rogers, Madóc strikes the souls of their listeners. 

As a queer artist and former youth worker, Madóc does not shy away from speaking out about social justice in this EP. With the third track, “Bridges,” being a fight song for the LGBTQ+ community, she makes a powerful cry for systemic change. This stance continues to be felt in “Rewind,” her self-proclaimed “Teardrops on my Guitar” song for the lesbian community. Beyond their staunch human rights advocacy, Madóc is an artist deeply connected to their Irish culture and Pacific Northwest roots. With that said, her writing tenderly nods to nature and celtic folklore which can be felt especially in crowd favorites, “Into the Ether” and “The Creek.” 

As described by The Hype Magazine from her previous work under Jessica Maddox, “her words realise the track as a provocative, brooding rhapsody of solitude and self-reflection.” Five years later, and now releasing independently, she continues to uphold her cutting lyricism but with more maturity and authenticity. Adrenaline Demos is a solo acoustic EP recorded primarily in one live session during an adrenaline rush. It is a bold showcase of her true talent and vivacious message. 

To celebrate the release of the EP, she will be performing for the first time with a full band on June 29th at Warehouse XI followed by a full West Coast USA tour starting in July 2025.

New Music From Amira Noor, Asmi Aderay, Pragya, Isabelle Gitlin, ISA!, Céline Marie, Pitch Slapped, Georgia Chess

"Tried" - by Amira Noor

Release Date: May 30, 2025

What You Should Know: "Excited to share this special song with you guys."

Find It: Apple or Spotify

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2025 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Amira Noor Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Confess to Me" - by Asmi Aderay

Release Date: April 11, 2025

What You Should Know: "Confess to Me is more than just a song to me - it’s a late-night emotional confession set to melody. With every note, I’m sharing the heartbreak and feelings we often keep hidden. I hope it connects with you like a secret between friends."

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2025 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Asmi Aderay Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Picking at the Seams" - by Pragya

Release Date: May 9, 2025

What You Should Know: This debut EP is one you won't want to miss!

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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"It Still" - by Isabelle Getlin 

Release Date: May 23, 2025

What You Should Know: "Thank you to my family, particularly my grandmother Zoya. She served as an inspiration for me on this and I want to dedicate it to her. She was a talented working actress from St. Petersburg, but was unable to continue pursing her craft and passion after immigrating to this country for her family."

Find It: Apple or Spotify

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2025 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Isabelle Gitlin Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"The Flow" - by ISA!

Release Date: June 6, 2025

What You Should Know: "This song is particularly special for me as it was not my first first first ever written, but for sure my first fully finished and produced all on my own. "

Find It: Apple or Spotify

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2025 in Section 36",  "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36:  More ISA!

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"Showtime" - by Céline Marie

Release Date: June 6, 2025

What You Should Know: It’s an EDM / Techno track, a fusion of the sub-genres Peak Time, Industrial and Minimal Techno, and the lead single of her upcoming EP “Showtime”.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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"Are You That Somebody?" - by Pitch Slapped

Release Date: June 6, 2025

What You Should Know: A must-listen release from this incredible group.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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"Ascot" - by Georgi Chess

Release Date: June 6, 2025

What You Should Know: "“Ascot” is this really bitter song about unrequited love. I’m not really into writing “sappy” love songs, because music like that makes me feel a little hopeless. So majority of my “sad” songs end up becoming these angry, gritty rock tunes, because that feels more empowering to me in a way."

Find It: Apple or Spotify

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2025 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Amira Noor Visits Section 36 Music!"