JØRDYN Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! JØRDYN is an amazing singer whose debut EP "i didn't ask for this" is one masterpiece after another. I was thrilled that they wanted to visit with us and discuss their music, future goals, and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything they have to say.

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

Your debut EP, “i didn’t ask for this” is simply outstanding. What can you tell me about it?

My debut EP ‘i didn’t ask for this’  is about the realities, struggles, and unfairness of life. I speak on my struggles with loss, grief, jealousy, and displacement over the course of the past few years while experimenting with harmony, vocoding, and soundscapes to create my own unique sound. It was written and recorded over the course of 2 years total. 

What was your favorite part of the recording process?

My absolute favorite part of the process was recording the title track/closer "i didn't ask for this'. It was the only song recorded in a formal studio (most of the EP was recorded in my friends and I's dorms/bedrooms). I really love my band and getting everyone in one room to record was so much fun. There was such positive energy all around. 

What do you enjoy most about performing in front of an audience?

One fun fact about me is that I am a classically trained opera singer. Majority of my work and music at the beginning of my career was on stage. It is where my heart lives. When transitioning into becoming a recording artist most of my work is off the stage. Writing, Recording, Photo Shoots, Emails etc. When I get to perform on stage I really cherish that. I get to experience the energy of my band and the audience.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Number one is Phoebe Bridgers. She is truly such a formative artist for me and my sound. Her writing is outstanding and she is so secure in her sound and identity as an artist. I really look up to her. 

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

Exposure, I think music today is very dependent on social media, paid advertising, and stream counts. I struggle getting the numbers and I think that sucks because I am very proud of my work with this project. I just hope people listen.

What are your immediate music goals?

To tour/open with a larger artist or hero of mine. Even if it's a 3 stop tour I would love to tour and see different people and places. It is such a fundamental thing for a small artist. I also would love to play my first festival! 

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Those sound like great goals!  

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

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow them and see what they have going on. I would follow them on Instagram, and Spotify as well as visit their website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again JØRDYN, and good luck reaching your goals!

Linda Z Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Linda Z is a wonderful artist with a recent single "Fairytale" that is simply magical. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, songwriting, and more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say.

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

I absolutely love your recent debut single, “Fairytale”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you so much, I truly appreciate that! Yea Fairytale is my first serious release as an established Songwriter. I wrote the song over the summer last year and it was really a therapeutic process for me while I was getting out of a relationship. The song embodies this reality where to the outside world the relationship you’re in might look perfect, might look like it’s full of love, passion, and understanding, when really you know it’s not, you know it’s been fake and you’re sort of stuck in this cycle of battling that truth in your mind. Certainly a very special song to me and I hope people can relate to it. 

What was your favorite part of the recording process?

My favorite part of the recording process was definitely getting to work on this project with my friends and just spending hours in the studio with all of them. I am lucky to have such amazing people to help out! My producer Julian Villegas and I were super committed to having a great sounding record but the sessions were never short of love, passion, and fun. I had some of my best friends play on the song and that was the best part by far, getting to share this piece of myself and my music with them. 

What do you enjoy most about performing in front of an audience?

Hmm, I think honestly whenever I perform this song live it feels like we’ve all entered this space where time stops and we all get to enjoy the moment together. It really feels as though everyone is in the story with me and feeling what I’m feeling. It is amazing to sense the audience’s energy while performing a song you poured your heart into. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

That’s a hard question because I have so many musical influences, but right now I would without a doubt say Noah Kahan(if not any of my friends). His songwriting is just so truthful yet poetic at the same time and I really love that. I have seen his music evolve over the years and become what it is today. He genuinely inspires me to write every day. Other than him though, definitely the group of friends I have around me—I always learn from them and they are just the best people I know. They inspire me to be in this business for the long haul. 

You’re currently a student at Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?

Yes, I am currently about to be in my 5th semester! Berklee was the dream school for me since I was in Middle School but I don’t think I was convinced it was the right choice until this past semester. There was definitely imposter syndrome and a lot of questions about my future I had to weigh. Ultimately it was the Songwriting department, especially Mark Simos, that made me feel like I belonged in this school and it was exactly where I had to be. I always wanted to be a Songwriter and Berklee has the only Songwriting program of this size that is so versatile and offers so much to its students. I have also found my place within the Roots community here at Berklee and I think that that’s when I knew, last semester, when I had no second thoughts about anything I was doing, and absolutely loved it!

What are your immediate music goals?

My immediate music goals especially for this summer are to learn Fiddle which I picked up a few months ago now, but other than that just write a bunch of songs, perform and make content. I think my real main goal is to begin truly writing for other artists at Berklee and become those artists Songwriters! Apart from that, I am just beginning to establish myself outside of the Berklee Community as a Songwriter. 

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That's definitely a great goal!  

As always, I want to thank Linda Z 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 as well as visit her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Linda Z, and good luck reaching your goals!

Current Tour: Kelsey Blackstone, Allie Dunn, and Felicity Team Up to Visited Section 36 Prior to Tour (Part 2)

They're back! Hopefully you enjoyed part one of our fantastic interview with Kelsey Blackstone, Allie Dunn, and Felicity prior to embarking on their tour. Today we'll cover the rest of that interview to prepare us all for the rest of their performances.

So, here's the rest of what happened when Kelsey, Allie, and Felicity all visited Section 36!

Do you have any pre or post show rituals?

KELSEY: I mean, I feel like we probably have some similar pre show rituals, just like drinking a ton of water. Lots of tea with honey, and warm ups before the show. I feel like something big for me I didn't really realize that it was important for me until pretty recently. But, the act of actually getting ready...like in my stage outfit, my makeup, my hair, and being able to have that. Ideally, do it alone or just like in a quiet corner somewhere. It's just like such a nice way to center myself and breathe. And just kinda, think about what I need to do before the show, which is great. And then post show ritual is have a blast. That's it.

FELICITY: I like to work out like, really open my lungs up before show. And then, eat protein. Not too heavy. a light protein. So if I do get nervous, I, don't have to worry about it, and I just have something in my stomach. I know I can feel myself. And I love the ritual of getting ready...knowing what you're gonna wear, the hair, the makeup, you know. And then I feel like I'm not gonna drink on this tour, only because I haven't done a tour before, so I don't wanna be too tired. But if it's a local show, when we're getting off stage...we're drinking.

ALLIE: I'm with you. Felicity. I don't drink on the road. I don't drink ever when I'm playing, just because my vocal cords are super sensitive. So I don't. I don't mess around with it. But yeah, I think just like hydration station all day. And then I just vibe to my favorite music before and just take that energy on the stage.

What is your favorite part about performing in front of an audience?
ALLIE: Favorite thing is like getting the crowd to be involved.

That's my favorite thing for sure.

FELICITY: I mean, I love every single thing about it. Like literally. I feel like my soul is quenched when I'm on stage and nothing else in my life does that for me.

KELSEY: I completely agree. And I feel like it's one of those things where you can't go through all of this months of planning and trial and tribulation and everything if you don't like freaking love every second you're on stage. Sometimes even in my like day to day I'm just like, "Oh, my gosh!" Sometimes when I haven't performed for a little while, I'm just really missing that kind of inspiration to keep going. And yeah, performing alway just like completely fills up my soul. Like something I've been doing since forever, and it just feels right so feels great.

How do you plan to stay? Healthy and energized while on tour?

FELICITY: We're working out. We're running. We're eating healthily. I'm packing lean snacks for everybody.

ALLIE: I think that's the same thing. Like, last time last time I was on tour I was so dead that I just couldn't work out. But I did go for walks. And I was like, alright, this actually feels like I'm doing something.

FELICITY: And that's the beauty of us traveling together as well. Everything can be split, you know? We can split our time. We can all make sure we're rested. There's more than enough of us to drive. That's the beautiful thing about going on tour with your friends. It shouldn't be stressful if we've planned it correctly. We're doing everything as best we can. I think it can be something healthy and sustainable, and something we do really well. I don't think any of us are trying to rage until we touch back down in Nashville, anyway. So I think it's going to be good.

KELSEY: Yeah, I think a big thing for me when I was on tour last summer was kinda what you were saying too. All going on walks, and not only just for, I guess, physical well being, but mental well being, too. It's just it's so nice. Get away from everybody like for a second, or get away from thinking about the tour and everything that comes with it, and just being able to to move. And then something, too, that I I did last summer, which I definitely want to do again is having a pack or two of water bottles and snacks, of course, but the water bottles in my car. Especially because I was responsible for my whole band of seven, and I was momming it up. I was like, I know, you guys are going to be dehydrated. I know you're not going to bring water bottles. So I'm thinking ahead. And yeah, I think it definitely helped.

Do you have a specific goal in mind in order to call the tour a success?

ALLIE: I definitely want to sell out New York, which I have no doubt in my mind we will. I just have no doubt in my mind that we're gonna have great turnouts and it's going to be a turning point in all our careers.

FELICITY: Oh, yeah. I think we got Nashville. I think we got New York, and I think who knows? Might surprise ourselves with a couple of other places, too. I can't wait to make connections with people and make fans. And I have music out for the first time in 6 years and people hearing it, that's an amazing, amazing thing. So being able to do that in person is really special, especially when it's like in corners of the country, you might not normally get to.

KELSEY: Absolutely. I really agree, with both of you, and I think it's definitely possible. I have a really good feeling about all of the cities that we're going to. I feel like we're gonna do like really well. To break it down concisely, though, this answer for me is like 2 things, I guess. First and foremost is, I'm releasing a single, a new original song right when we get back from tour on June 7th. The single has been in the works now, for like almost three years. So it's been like a really long time coming. And I'm very, very relieved and proud of how it's come out. So I'm like bringing a lot of like merch on the road like centered around it trying to really kinda get people to to care about it hopefully. But yeah, it's called "Willow". It's about like getting older, and all of that fun stuff. But so there's that if if that goes well and and people are receptive to that. And then number two is, if in a year from now we are all still friends, and talking and helping each other out and working...then I think that's another like great mark of success, too.

ALLIE: Kelsey, I'm also releasing on June seventh, so the world will be blessed with our music.

FELICITY: I have one. On June ninth.

ALLIE: This is literally this is the best news I've ever got. This is just like it ties the end of the tour together in a beautiful like. Here you go world.

KELSEY: What are the names of your two songs that are coming out in June?

ALLIE: Mine is called "Short Hair".

FELICITY: Mine is, "There's Been a lot Going On". 

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What a way to end things! Can't thank Kelsey, Felicity, and Allie enough for talking with us. Be sure to get your tickets for their tour now so you don't miss a single show! And, be on the lookout for their new singles releasing soon. Hear them on tour, hear them in your home, hear them everywhere.

Don't forget to check out each of these amazing women so you can learn more about them as artists.

Instagram: Kelsey, Felicity, Allie

Spotify: Kelsey, Felicity, Allie
Website: Kelsey, Felicity, Allie

New Music from Elliott Woods, Milani Rivers and Jenna May!

 

"Back Bay" - by Elliott Woods

Release Date: May 10, 2024

What You Should Know: "Putting an album out has always been a huge dream of mine, and I cannot believe I get to share all these songs to the world. I’ve been working on this album for about a year and a half, and I really really hope you like it. "

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "Your Soul", "Call My Name"

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

Previously on Section 36: "Elliott Woods Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Butterfly" - by Milani Rivers

Release Date: May 10, 2024

What You Should Know: This song should be added to your playlists as soon as possible.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "In Vain"

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

Previously on Section 36: "Milani Rivers Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Little Thoughts" - by Jenna May

Release Date: May 23, 2024

What You Should Know: After nearly two years between songs, this is the one you've been waiting for. Add it to your playlists as soon as possible.

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple or Spotify

Syd Rose Visits Section 36 Music!

Photo: Timothy Mah

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Syd Rose is an extremely talented artist whose recent EP "Half the Things I Said" is one you won't want to miss. I was so excited 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 Syd Rose visits Section 36 Music!

I really enjoy your latest single, “Nothing Like Me”. What can you tell me about it?
Nothing Like Me is a pop-rock anthem with a catchy hook, upbeat feel, and strong vocals that snatch a listener’s attention. Despite its lively sound, I explore more serious themes in this song regarding body insecurity and modern beauty standards. The first verse opens with: “I swear this mirror must be warped / Standing in this department store / Knowing nothing will fit me like the pictures.” The verse sets the stage for “Nothing Like Me,” opening the song with my experience of feeling inferior to other women, especially the beautiful people you see all over social media and the Internet.

“Nothing Like Me” was born after a moment that I’m not very proud of– doing a social media deep dive on my ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend, and seeing that she looked nothing like me but everything like the beauty standards I had always wished to achieve. The chorus of this song outlines what I was feeling at that moment: “I don't know what to think anymore / She looks nothing like me / I've been wondering all night long about / That girl on the screen / She looks nothing like me.” The girl on the screen first began as my ex’s new girlfriend, but as I continued to write the song, I began to see more of myself in her.

Writing about this moment made me think back to when I had a much more damaging opinion of myself and my body. My history of unhealthy body image and constant comparison began young, exacerbated by being an early bloomer (yes, I was the first kid in my class to get acne AND to have to get a training bra, and no, I can't remember which was more embarrassing at the time) and a swimmer, where bodies were always on display during training. I became hyper analytic of things that I couldn’t control. Everything from my height, to how my forehead wrinkled around my acne when I spoke, to how my legs looked underwater when I swam, to the thickness of my thighs, waist, and arms were points of contention for years of my life. Thoughts like these are something that so many women (and men) experience, even when we know it isn’t healthy to compare ourselves to each other. We know that other women should be a source of friendship and comfort rather than competition, and when conversing with others, I find most of the time we share this experience-- often criticizing our bodies unfairly while never judging others in a negative light.

Eventually, when it came to my thoughts post-breakup, I stopped thinking about the new girlfriend. I began comparing myself to old pictures of me when I had been in the relationship, going through a futile cycle of trying to see if I had changed or if something could explain why that relationship had gone so sour. Writing “Nothing Like Me” became a very cathartic process, helping me understand my unhealthy thoughts and leading me to replace them with positive ones. Ultimately, I learned that comparing ourselves to how others (or even our past selves) look is pointless. Everyone is unique, and appearance is the least interesting aspect of who we are.

Do you see more studio work in the future?

Photo: Vince Baur

Yes! Though I have an artist project, my primary career path is related to studio work. I’m a recording engineer, producer, and instrumentalist. Creating records in the studio is one of my favorite things to do, and I am actively pursuing opportunities that will bring me more work in the recorded music realm as I continue my career.

You are a graduate of Berklee College of Music. What is the biggest thing you saw Berklee do for your career?
Berklee is the kind of place where you get out of it what you put in. I think the biggest thing it can do for your career, whatever you pursue, always comes from the network of people you meet while studying there. Whether it’s a classmate, professor, band member, work-study employer, or former roommate that ends up bringing you your next opportunity, the Berklee network is massive and can always help you out. When applying for jobs before I first moved to L.A., I made sure to let all of my professors, peers, and bosses know that I was looking for work out there. I actually got my first gig from a “Hey, we’re hiring” story post on a studio’s Instagram account that a former work-study supervisor sent me. You never know what opportunities are hiding in plain sight and what directions they can take you.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Photo: Icekcream

My biggest musical influences are acts like The 1975, Noah Kahan, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Maggie Rogers. These musicians walk the line between old and new sounds, combining modern mixing technologies and synthesized sounds with full-band recordings to make music that teeters between folk, soft rock, and alt-pop. Their songwriting is also a great combination of dedicated pop hooks, folk-like storytelling and melodies, and poetry-influenced vocabulary and subject matter. All of these characteristics are things that I hope to reflect in my music and continue to grow as I build my voice as an artist.

What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?
My biggest challenge so far with my music career has been finding ways to grow my credits as a recording engineer while also dedicating time to my artist project. Since moving to L.A. and beginning life as a postgraduate, it has been hard to find the time to write more between job hunting, working at studios, freelancing, and still making time to see friends. I’m also trying to learn how to promote myself and my music effectively without having social media take too much time out of my life. I hope that as I build more of a routine and a reliable income, I will be able to find the freedom to continue to write my songs and build a career I can be proud of.

What are your immediate music goals?

Photo: Vince Baur

My immediate music goals are to learn more about the skill it takes to engineer and produce records while building a new discography of songs to flesh out when I am ready. As of Friday, May 17th, my debut EP Half the Things I Said, which I spent over a year working on, is finally out in the world. This opens up a chance for me to slowly begin figuring out what I want my next project to be about. Right now, I want to focus on making L.A. feel like a home, hone my skills as an engineer and producer, and let the next project idea fall in place as it comes.

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Don't forget to stream that EP!  

As always, I want to thank Syd 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, Bandcamp, and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Syd, and good luck reaching your goals!