Cassandra's 36 Favorite Things!

I’m sure you know Cassandra from her incredible music, including her latest release "Queen of Every Night", which I hope you've listened to often.

Today I thought we should learn a little bit more about this fantastic artist, by learning a few of her favorite things! Let's see how it goes...

What is your favorite…

Animal - Dolphins 
Disney song to sing - Part of Your World
Crayon color - Salmon
Coffee order - Black coffee! Maybe a splash of oat milk
Baseball team - Red Sox!
Vacation spot - Anywhere warm with water
Place to shop - Zara and Aritzia. Also love thrifting and up cycling 
Star Wars character - Grogu forever
Winter activity - Ice skating 
Beverage - Seltzer with lime
Restaurant - Yvonne’s! That pork dish?? Are you kidding??!?
Book - Women Don’t Owe you Pretty 
Song (Can be yours) - Queen of Every Night by Cassandra!! 
City - Boston
Ice cream flavor - Brownie fudge or cherry garcia
Shape - Diamond! A girls best friend (;
Article of clothing - My leather pants 
Place to walk - Around the Charles
Season - Summer 
Cookie flavor - Thumbprint w orange jam
String instrument - Violin
Color rose - Red
Superhero - Superman 
Body piercing location - Ears! 
Candle scent - Lemon
Thing you did in the last 24 hours - Played a live writers round in Nashville! 
Cheese - Goat cheese 
Female musician - Lady Gaga
Disney character - Genie from Aladdin 
Social media platform - Instagram
Type of big cat - Cheetah
Summer activity - Poolside sunbathing with a podcast and summery cold drink 
Toy as a child - Pink pillow- it was in fact a pillow that was pink and I took it everywhere! 
Smell - Momma’s cooking 
Souvenir to bring home - A Miss America local crown! 
Section - 36!!!!

That was fun!

As always, I want to thank Cassandra for taking the time to do this with us. It's always nice to be able to learn a bit more about a favorite artist.

Be sure to listen to Cassandra 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! You should also be sure to visit her website as often as you can. 

Thanks again Cassandra!

Catching Up With Alyssa Barker

Alyssa Barker was kind enough to visit with Section 36 Music about three years ago. Since then, she has graduated from Berklee College of Music, and embarked on her music career. Alyssa was kind enough to fill us all in on what she's been up to since her last visit. I hope you enjoy everything she has to say as we catch up with Alyssa Barker!

Since graduating from Berklee College of Music, how have you settled on the direction(s) of your music career?

It has not been an easy ride, and actually coming out of graduation time, I felt a little lost in my identity of where I was supposed to fit in with the industry. After being a student for so long, it was time to put all of my networking and other skills to the test. So since graduating, I have been consistently working in the world of performing at corporate events, cocktail hours, and other events that fit in this field. Not to mention I have been playing gigs at places like the Black Rose Irish Pub in Boston, MA and the Matterhorn Bar in Stowe, VT.  I am constantly on the lookout for the next thing, but right now I am happy building my brand in this world as it keeps coming! Just feeling blessed and lucky to be hired to play this early on after leaving Berklee.

You seem to be able to keep up a full schedule of live performances. What do you enjoy about playing in front of these audiences?

What I love most about performing in front of my audiences are their reactions. Typically responses are very loving and rather enthusiastic, which is exactly why I do what I do. It absolutely melts my heart to see people loving music the way I do.

You’ve also been releasing some new music, including “Vampire”, which I love. What is your favorite part about the recording process?

Thank you so much! I absolutely love the freedom in the creative process that recording allows for. This year it is my goal to become more proficient and to be more comfortable releasing music. "Vampire", not only is it one of my favorite songs recently, but I felt such a release and high from the product I was able to create in lue of how awesome the song already is. In part of recording that song, I really feel like I am finding my voice and sound as an electric violinist, falling into the genre of heavy rock.

You currently offer custom compositions, which is something you mentioned as a goal the last time we talked. What is that process like?

For most projects that I work on, there is a lot of artistic freedom. I have been able to collaborate with artists and add my own ideas, I will usually record tracks and have the artist I work with pick takes they wish to keep or not. Of course this varies per artist, however I love this type of creative outlet.

What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?

I believe being a freelance musician purely takes on an entrepreneurial role. Whether prepping for the various gigs of the week, finding the next one, or emailing with people about other opportunities, the grind never stops, and truthfully it can be exhausting. Playing music has been and continues to be my dream, and so in order to continue achieving that, it's important to know that the hussle can't stop. Recently I have expanded my team to help make things a little bit easier, and in doing this, we are able to get twice the amount of work done as opposed to when I was alone.

What are your immediate music goals?

Right now, my goal is to continue to find work as I go, and to continue getting my name out there in the northeast region of the country. In the last year, I have been able to expand my work to Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, etc, and I can't wait to see where it goes from there. Long-term, I would love to hop on a tour and see where my live performance career can get to!

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I hope she’s able to achieve those goals!

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

I know you’ll all want to follow along with Alyssa to see what she's up to. The best way is to follow her on Instagram and Spotify. You should also be sure to check out her website. They’re great ways to make sure you don't miss a thing!

Thanks again Alyssa! Good luck reaching your goals.

New Music from Whitney Doucet, Sayaka, Lily Marie Antonini, and Alyssa Barker

"Brand New" - by Whitney Doucet 

Release Date: February 12, 2024

What You Should Know: "I had this tune stuck in my head for over 2 years before I had the chance to sing it out loud, and I’m so glad I recorded it for you all to hear!"

Find It: Everywhere, like Spotify

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

Previously on Section 36: "Whitney Doucet Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Will I Be OK" - by Sayaka

Release Date: February 16, 2024

What You Should Know: "this song is very special to me, written in such a different transitional period in my life but was such a huge factor in my healing process. i’m SO happy to be able to share it with you"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Would You Stay"

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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"Beautiful Insanity" - Lily Marie Antonini

Release Date: February 14, 2024

What You Should Know: "Beautiful Insanity…what is it? It is something so beautiful and wonderful that is very rare or not common, so it is an insanity. It is finding your true love, reuniting with a past one and realizing they were always the one & never moved on, despite however long you guys were seperated for, winning the lottery, getting an A on a test you did not even study for, winning at a claw machine, and many more insanely beautiful things that could happen. What is YOUR Beautiful Insanity?"

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: "Lily Marie Antonini Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Can't Help Falling In Love" - by Alyssa Barker 

Release Date: February 14, 2024

What You Should Know: "Not hard to fall in love with this song!

Find It: Apple or Spotify

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

Previous Noteworthy Singles: "Vampire", "El Sueño"

Previously on Section 36: "Alyssa Barker Visits Section 36 Music!"

Elliott Woods Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Elliott Woods is an amazing singer fresh off the release of her debut single. I was thrilled that she wanted 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 Elliott Woods visits Section 36 Music!

What can you tell me about your debut single, “Call My Name”?

I can tell you that my debut single, Call My Name, is the one out of many songs I’ve written that I wanted the world to hear first. Everything on this track from the writing to the production was done completely solo (except for the photoshoot, which a friend did with me). It’s a folk song I wrote in my bedroom on guitar about the struggles that come with growing up, and missing when life was easier in the younger years. My friend and I shot the cover in Austria over winter break too, which I think is super cool!

You’re a frequent live performer. What is your favorite part about performing on stage?

My favorite part about playing on stage is the feeling when I get so into the music that everything just disappears and I am in a whole different place. Its like a performance high

You’re currently attending Berklee College of Music. What makes Berklee the right choice for you?

Berklee is definitely the right choice for me, and the reason for that is because all of the talent around me drives and motivates me to be the best, most productive and creative version of myself. Also the Cafe 24 acas bowls are super good.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

It’s so hard to come up with a solid answer for this question, because every day, my influences change, and I want to create something new. For Call My Name though, I definitely took inspiration from James Taylor and Vance Joy. In general though, my biggest musical influences are Ethel Cain, Clairo, and Taylor Swift.

What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?

My biggest challenge with my music career right now is definitely managing everything, as well as trying to make money. Having to write, record, book shows, and promote my music alone all while balancing school on time can be super overwhelming and exhausting. As my music career progress in the future, I plan hire out the jobs that need to be done, but for now, that is one hundred percent the biggest challenge

What are your immediate music goals?

My music goals right now are to release a steady stream of singles, and then put out an album I’ve been working on. I want to find people who resonate with that music, and similarly, getting noticed is also very high on that list, but I will work every day until that happens!

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Those are great goals. Can't wait to watch her reach them!  

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

New Music from Delilah Brao, Sydney Mira, Jessica Woodleee, and Elliott Woods

 

"Seats for Ghosts" - by Delilah Brao 

Release Date: February 9, 2024

What You Should Know: Everything Delilah puts out is pure magic, and this is no exception.

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "What 2023 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Delilah Brao Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Candy Necklace" - Single by Sydney Mira

Release Date: February 9, 2024

What You Should Know: If you enjoyed her debut single, "Bad", you'll love this one too.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Bite"

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "What 2023 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Sydney Mira Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Dude" - Single by Jessica Woodlee

What You Should Know: ""Dude" is for the girls."

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Whiskey", "By Now", "Dairy Aisle"

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "What 2024 Sounds Like From Section 36", "What 2023 Sounds Like From Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Jessica Woodlee Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Call My Name" - Single by Elliott Woods

What You Should Know: "Releasing my debut single has always been a dream of mine, and I always wanted to do it right. I wrote this song about a year ago in my bedroom with my guitar, and I had no idea that it would grow to mean so much to me. Call My Name is a song about getting older, and the unavoidable fact that “our fate is set in the pages.” I wrote, recorded, mixed, mastered, and distributed this song all on my own, which I think is a pretty cool little fact, and all in all I really just cant wait for you to hear it!"

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

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