1.The First Song I Wrote
I remember writing and recording a song on a 4-track tape recorder when I was about 14 with a baglama (a Turkish guitar) and one of my Dad’s synths. I can’t remember the title or the words, but I do know it had an epic string synth part. It just kept going one note higher [each time] for about 20 minutes while I strummed some chords. [Laughs.] I thought it was the most profound thing ever: I wish I had a recording of it. It would sound utterly ridiculous, I’m sure.
2.The Last Song I Released
The Morrisons just released a single off our new album called ‘Emmeline’, about British Suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst. We are really proud of this [track] as it’s been released on International Women’s Day in partnership with the UN Women’s Group of Australia. All money raised from sales will go towards UN initiatives in Pakistan and the Pacific to help disenfranchised women.
3.Songwriting Secrets
Music almost always comes before lyrics, but other than that I don’t have a special process or inspiration. I think the secret to writing good songs is to practice your instrument a lot and study how music works.
4.The Song That Makes Me Proud
There is an a capella song on the new The Morrisons album called ‘Long Time Traveling’. It’s definitely my favorite song on the record and the one I’m most proud of writing.
5.The Song That Changed My Life
It would have to be something by The Beatles. I remember getting the White Album for Christmas when I was about 14 and that definitely changed my life. In particular [songs like] ‘Dear Prudence’ and ‘Blackbird’ really knocked me off my feet.
The Morrisons play Newtown Social Club on Sunday March 12; andThe Morrisonsis out now independently and available from their website.
