Nicole Ash Releases "Never Better"

Saving the heaviest and hardest-hitting tracks for the ‘Never Better’ EP release, Nicole Ash starts 2026 with an unexpected, screaming, rebellious anthem, “Alter Ego”. Right out of the gate, “Alter Ego” sets the tone for how frustrating a lifelong internal conflict can be delivering amplified energy. The highly relatable songwriting reveals a division between two worlds, where Nicole Ash often feels torn between “the creative, emotional, rebellious side of herself, and the more polished, business-driven version that shows up in professional spaces.”

Nicole shares, “The song isn’t about being authentic, but rather about self-protection. I’ve learned to show different parts of myself in different rooms because not every space feels safe for all of me.” 

The intensity of “Alter Ego” is infectious, carrying the listener through a darker, more intimate experience, with massive guitars, an angsty chorus, an unexpected screaming bridge, and gritty production. Lyrics like “be yourself, but not too much, ”reflect the pressure of being misunderstood and the instinct to hold back the pieces that matter the most.

“Alter Ego” explores a familiar push and pull between being a creator or artist, navigating dual identities while questioning if you’re ever fully understood.

The ‘Never Better’ EP comes to a close with “Better Off Alone.” Nicole Ash describes it as the most vulnerable song she’s released to date, writing it during a period of upheaval.

“Better Off Alone” touches on feelings of watching yourself slip away, feeling disconnected from what you love, and coming to terms with depression. Nicole recounts, “What usually connected me suddenly made me feel more distant from myself. This song became the moment I admitted I might be depressed...that maybe I really did feel better off alone.”

“Better Off Alone” suggests that not everything needs an immediate resolution. It’s an acceptance of where you are, even if there isn’t a clear path forward. The earlier releases from the ‘Never Better’ EP explored themes of love, confusion, anger, and longing, while the EP closes on the revelation of deeper, more internal struggles.

‘Never Better’ addresses the chaos and turmoil in between seasons of your life, as you grow, let go, and learn to honor every version of yourself, even the ones that feel unfinished.

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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.

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.

Be sure to look for her other appearances on Section 36!

Introducing "Never Better"!

If you remember the amazing recent single from Nicole Ash, "Stitch the Thread", then you know that was the third single off an upcoming EP. Well, that "upcoming" timeframe is now considerably shorter! Nicole will be releasing her first EP, "Never Better" in just one week! You definitely won't want to miss it.

In order to let us all learn a bit more about the release, Nicole was nice enough to answer a few questions for it. I hope you love everything she had to say as much as I did.

What do you want listeners to know about the EP?

"Never Better" is an ironic title for an EP that taps into nearly every emotion (love, confusion, anger, resentment, confused, hidden, greif, depression, etc.) that you feel in tumultuous times. It tells a story of losing yourself, even when you're not sure how to re-discover yourself. The final track "Better Off Alone" really locks in the uncertainty and is meant to leave the next chapter open for myself and the listener, showing that you don't need to have everything figured out to move forward.

How did you come up with the EP cover artwork?

I'm actually pretty into tarot and would practice reading the cards in my free time. I always loved the art and deeper meaning in it, especially with custom decks. I had the idea of each song being represented by its own card while not saying the title. It seemed like a really cool and unique way to represent the full collection of songs. The cards read "the city" "the grave" "the mask" "the needle" and "the ghost", showing an artistic glimpse into the story of the EP from the cover art. I asked an artist in my network to design the cards and knew they would be the focal point.

Do you have any favorite memories of the recording process?

One of my favorite memories was creating the music video for appreciating the good moments together, even when the friendship had ended. We ordered pizza, blew up balloons, and pulled out every nostalgic item we could find including an old TV, gaming consoles, and VHS tapes. It completely encapsulates the song, and was such a fun video to create with friends.

What was the biggest challenge with creating the EP?

The biggest challenge is probably releasing the final 2 songs. I have no problem writing incredibly vulnerable music, but these are my first releases truly diving into mental health and the uncertainty I tried to hide, even from myself. At the same time, these songs are the ones I feel like need to reach people the most because of the story behind them.

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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.

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.

Be sure to look for her other appearances on Section 36!

Learning More About "The United States of SARIKA"

Last week, SARIKA was nice enough to answer a few questions for us about the creation of her latest EP,  "The United States of SARIKA". Today she has even more to say, as we dive into some of the specific details of the project. I knoe behind the Scenes is my favorite place to be, and I hope you'll agree.

Here's what she had to say!

How did you come up with the EP cover artwork?

The EP cover is from a photoshoot I did with makeup artist Jordyn Klegraefe and photographer Mayker Duran in Providence! Jordyn and I met on TikTok and knew we wanted to collaborate on a fun makeup look and shoot. I originally didn’t know what I was going to do with the photos, but I felt like it ended up being a perfect fit for this EP between the dramatic pose, the glittery makeup, and the purple lighting (the EP feels very purple to me because of the red + blue = purple metaphor in “Violet” plus the United States references throughout the project).

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

I can honestly say I love them all equally! Each song became my favorite when I finished it, and I think that is super special. 

Do you have any favorite memories of the recording process?

My engineer and I had a lot of fun recording the gang vocals in the bridge of “High School”! I also really liked receiving submissions from listeners for the boarding call at the beginning of “Passport”. It was really cool getting to involve listeners in the creation of the song in a way that I’ve never done before. 

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I want to thank SARIKA for taking the time to share this look at her EP with us. 

Be sure to follow her on Instagram, and Spotify to be sure you won't miss anything! You'll also want to check out every other time SARIKA has appeared here on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again SARIKA!

Introducing "The United States of SARIKA"

I'm sure that you've all been listening to the latest EP from SARIKA, "The United States of SARIKA". I know that I can't stop. It makes me want to learn more about the EP, and I can only assume that you feel that way as well. Thankfully, SARIKA was willing to answer a few questions about the EP so we could all appreciate it even more.

Here's what she had to say!

What do you want listeners to know about the EP?

Something listeners might not know is how long this project took to come together and how much of a journey these songs were from start to finish. Much like my previous EP, some of the songs were written several years ago and have been previously released in other forms. I wrote the first verse and chorus of “Back In Time” in middle school, then finished the song in college a few years ago. “Violet” and the chorus of “High School” were written when I was actually in high school. I’ve released versions of “Back In Time,” “Violet,” and “California King” in the past (which I later took down with the intention of improving and re-releasing them). It took many iterations (and many talented collaborators) to get them to the more polished state that you hear on the EP!

How does this EP compare to your previous work?

It’s more glittery, synthy, and dance-y than anything I’ve released before! I feel like my previous EP drew a lot of inspiration from music I listened to as a young kid (in the early-mid 2000s), and this one kind of comes next chronologically—it reminds me a lot of the music from when I was in middle school in the early 2010s. It’s also a lot more queer, both in lyrical content and musical influence, representing my coming to terms with my sexuality throughout my teenage years and even in the past few years.

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I want to thank SARIKA for taking the time to share this look at her EP with us. 

Be sure to follow her on Instagram, and Spotify to be sure you won't miss anything! You'll also want to check out every other time SARIKA has appeared here on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again SARIKA!

“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)

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