New Music From: Sayaka, Tarra, Cassandra, Alije, and Adia Clark Lay

"Bittersweet" - by Sayaka

Release Date: July 25, 2024

What You Should Know: "Another in a long line of amazing music from this artist."

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Bite My Tongue", "Would You Stay", "Will I Be OK?"

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

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

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"What Love Feels Like (yeh ya voh)" - by Tarra

Release Date: July 26, 2024

What You Should Know: "You loved "Time Of Our Lives", and you'll love this one too!

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

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

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

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"Till They Do" - single by Cassandra 

Release Date: August 2, 2024

What You Should Know: "This has been such a fun project to create as I blend my passions of opera and Pop music. This song could’ve taken a number of forms, but the theme of, “Till They Do,” came about like this:

1. I wanted to make a song with Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro”
2. That piece is written for a damsel in distress
3. I am not a damsel in distress and love female power anthems
4. Should there be mob wife vibes?? Yes. Crime of passion vibes??? Double yes.
5. @jasonthrem created this incredible track with my opera sample
6. @eitansnydermusic and I cooked up the fun lyrics in this song
7. After recording and the hundreds of steps it takes to make, record, and release a song, it now hits your ears!

Beyond proud of this one and hope you love it."

Find It: Apple or Spotify

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

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Queen of Every Night", "Love You Back", "Business Casual", "Next Christmas", "Highlight the Real", "Free Woman"

Previously on Section 36: "Cassandra's 36 Favorite Things", "Cassandra Makes 36 Decisions"

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"Leo" - by Alije 

Release Date: August 1, 2024

What You Should Know: "the perfect reminder that dreams do come true, and that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be."

Find It: Apple or Spotify

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

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

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"On the Rocks" - by Adia Clark Lay

Release Date: August 21, 2024

What You Should Know: "The EP is my first big step into the country world and I couldn’t be more excited! I’d admired the country genre from afar for a long time, and I felt it was my time to jump in head first. The EP is a collection of songs that I’ve written over the past year; from my first country song ever (Right About You) to one of my more recent country songs (On The Rocks). Each song has a very specific story and are very special to me. They are meant to help people going through tough times, whether that’s with their partner, family, friends, at school, work, etc."

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Wanna Go Back", "Not My Fault", "Brown Eyes"

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

Previously on Section 36: "Adia Clark Lay Visits Section 36 Music!", "Adia Clark Lay Makes 36 Decisions!"

Tarra Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Tarra is an incredibly talented artist whose recent single "Time of Our Lives" should be on all your playlists. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, future goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

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

I really enjoyed your recent single, “Time of Our Lives”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! "Time Of Our Lives" is one of those songs that honestly came together completely on accident. I was just messing around with some virtual instruments on my music production software when I discovered a synth sound that I really liked. Instantly, that sound felt very free, exciting and adventurous to me- just like a road trip. I immediately knew I had to create a song out of it (and I knew that the song was going to have this same spontaneous, adventurous vibe running through it). I started adding more layers to it, and eventually I got to collaborate with the amazing Taylor Franklyn to finish up the production! We added some ear candy and exciting details like the sound of waves and seagulls at the start. I'm very pleased with the outcome and even more excited that so many people are resonating with the song!

You also posted a music video for the song. What was it like putting that together?

Yes! Creating that music video was such a memorable experience, partly because it was shot all across the beautiful city of Dubai. Even though I planned and storyboarded what the music video was going to look like (just like I do with all my other videos), I also had the opportunity to let loose and be spontaneous. After all, that's what "Time of Our Lives" is about - throwing caution to the wind and having fun! The video was an excuse to do things like skip across the beach and dance across the boardwalk - without being held back. So really, it was about enjoying myself and letting the audience feel that enjoyment through the screen!

You currently attend Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing you see Berklee doing for your career?

The thing I love most about Berklee is that you get to immerse yourself in the industry every single day. Whether it is in your classes or in the cafeteria, every person you meet is a connection you build and a possible future collaborator. I am a music industry major, so I've been collaborating with some amazing artists on their campaigns and strategies lately. I believe in these artists and their music so much, and I feel fortunate to work with them. Therefore, the biggest thing Berklee has done for my career is given me real-world experience. I don't take it lightly that I'm lucky enough to be exposed  to this whole network of thousands of absolutely incredible, talented musicians.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

I don't know if this quite makes sense, but as a songwriter-first artist, a lot of my influences are literary. I love playing with words - and that was, in fact, what got me into music and songwriting in the first place. Therefore, I've always been inspired or influenced by songs that have a play on words, a metaphor, a deep message, a double meaning, or have witty lyrics. I think, like a lot of this generation's songwriters, I was very inspired by Taylor Swift's songwriting when I first got into music at the age of 12! I think a lot of my stylistic choices and writing style reflect that even today.

What would you say is your biggest career challenge?

I'd say my biggest career challenge is that I want to do EVERYTHING :) I love making music and being an artist, of course I am absolutely enthralled by the creative side of things. However, I also have a knack for music business, and I'm starting to be very passionate about helping other artists find and reach their audiences. My major, music industry leadership and innovation, reflects that. Then again, I'd also love to be better at production, and I also really enjoy writing for other artists! I wish I had unlimited hours in the day to do it all. I think the hardest part is deciding what's most important to me, prioritizing that, and therefore deciding what is my career path vs what should remain a passion.

What are your immediate career goals?

Given that I'm pursuing my own artistry at the same time as a possible career in the music business/marketing side of things, I'd say I have two different sets of goals. For my own music goals, I'd really like to get my debut album out this summer. This is a body of work that I'm really proud of that has been in the making for a long time. It's finally nearing completion, and I'm so excited to finally have the opportunity to share it with everyone! On the other hand, my business goal would be to work with 8-10 fellow artists at Berklee this year on their branding and release strategy - I would want these to be artists that I really believe in! I'm looking forward to pursuing both these goals, and excited for what this year will bring. 

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I definitely want to hear that album!

As always, I want to thank Tarra for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.

I'm sure you’ll all want to 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 Tarra, and good luck reaching your goals!