Isabelle Gitlin Talks About "Running Circles"!

On March 6, Isabelle Gitlin treated us all with the release of her single, "Running Circles". It's an incredible offering that I assume you've listened to multiple times since then. I thought it would be fun to learn more about this release, and thankfully Isabelle was willing to answer some questions for us to help with that.

Let's see what she had to say!

What do you want listeners to know about “Running Circles”?

I just want listeners to know how much I love to create. Singing, writing, editing visuals, those have always been such important pillars in my life and my hope is that my love for it is evident in “Running Circles” (as well as all my other work, both released and unreleased).

Do you have a favorite lyric from the song?

My favorite lyric is probably “I, I, I well I’ve been here, wasting away I hope I don’t disappear.” 

How did you come up with the cover artwork?

We actually shot the cover at my friend’s house. Her mother is an incredibly gifted artist and has so much of her beautiful artwork around the house which I wanted to include. I really wanted to lean into this visual arts theme because I’ve always been very shy and not entirely comfortable expressing myself with words. With visuals, a photograph, a painting, a statue - these works speak for themselves. Many have withstood the test of time and are immediately recognizable hundreds (if not thousands) of years later.  As a visual person, art has always spoken to me especially in its expression of deep sadness, despair, and confusion. This song for me, really touches on not being able to express difficult emotions, and no matter how hard you try, there’s no resolution. I wanted to almost pose as an immortalized version of myself in that moment with what I was experiencing.

What was the biggest challenge when creating the song?

The biggest challenge for me was (and always is) in the actual recording of the lead vocal because I always believe I can do better or achieve a better sound. I’ll re-record lines constantly and be incredibly nit-picky with each of the takes. It can definitely be exhausting and I’ll need to take breaks from listening to myself haha

Do you have any favorite memories of the recording process?

My favorite memories are probably when everything finally started to come together; that usually happens when we begin working on the background vocals. It’s actually always been my favorite part of recording because to me, backgrounds add so much depth and color to a song. But overall, recording and building a song, it is such an outlet for me. It brings me a lot of joy, even when I’m stressed about it, it’s just something I really love to do.

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You can definitely feel that love!

As always, I want to thank Isabelle for taking the time to share this with us. It's always nice to be able to learn a bit more about a song.

Be sure to listen and follow along with her to see what she's up to. I would definitely follow her on Instagram, and/or Spotify. In fact, go do both right now! 

Thanks again Isabelle Gitlin!

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!"

Isabelle Gitlin Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Isabelle Gitlin is fresh off her recent single "Long & Gone", which is simply incredible! I was so glad she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song, her musical goals, and more!

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

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

Thank you so much! For me, it’s about losing somebody that was never really yours and having to watch them live their life knowing they’re not thinking of you. It’s about living in that person’s rearview and how painful that can be. 

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

I think my favorite memory was just watching the song come to life. You come in with an initial vision and then edit and tweak at it, sometimes you scrap entire ideas, but creating something from nothing, watching it grow and take on a life of its own is the best thing to me. 

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

I did. I think Berklee was just one of one in the world of contemporary music schools. There was really nothing else like it for me, especially at the time. But I will say that my most invaluable experiences and the majority of my learning/understanding of the music industry came from outside of school. It came from creating music, working with producers, and seeing musical entrepreneurs run their businesses in real time. 

What is your favorite thing about performing in front of a live audience?

My favorite thing would probably be connecting with the audience and feeling their energy. I just really love to sing and so being able to perform and know that it resonated with at least one person is very meaningful to me. 

What is your biggest musical challenge?

My biggest musical challenge would be maintaining confidence, it’s a very rough industry and being sure of yourself and your abilities can be difficult, but it’s very important.

What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goals would be continuing to create music and putting it out. I want to expand on the types of projects I do and possibly work on an EP or something larger. I also would love to branch out and work with other writers, and of course I’d love to keep performing. 

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Those are some great goals. Excited to see her accomplish them!

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

New Music From Julia Adrian, Maxine, Isabelle Gitlin, and Priya Mani!

 

"Better in Red" - by Julia Adrian

Release Date: December 3, 2024

What You Should Know: This song should definitely be added to your holiday playlists.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36", "It's Christmas in Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Julia Adrian Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Handcuffed" - by Maxine 

Release Date: December 5, 2024

What You Should Know: "I wrote the lyrics to this song at 6am in my Boston apartment last spring. the words came to me after a night chatting about ideas w the best roomie @rina_valentino ! i recorded vocals that afternoon and it’s been one of my fav girl boss songs to scream in the car so I hope you like it too !"

Find It: Spotify or Apple

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Maxine Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Drive" - by Priya Mani 

Release Date: December 5, 2024

What You Should Know: "Get your road trip playlists ready!"

Find It: Spotify or Apple

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Priya Mani Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Long & Gone" - by Isabelle Gitlin

Release Date: December 6, 2024

What You Should Know: "It’s a little different from the last one but I hope you like it :)"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify