INTERVIEW: morgxn
It’s an exciting time for alt-pop singer morgxn. The emerging artist recently put out his first album, “Vital”, and is about to go on tour this fall to support the project. Part of his more immediate schedule, though, is an appearance on Saturday on the BMI Stage at Lollapalooza. We talked to him about the new album before he touched down in Chicago. Check it out here:
B&E: You just released your debut album. Were there any nerves heading into the studio to create “Vital”?
morgxn: “In order to have something you’ve never had, you have to be willing to do something you’ve never done.”
I had this quote hung over my metaphorical wall in my metaphorical bedroom the entire time I was making this record. I say metaphorical because I felt geographically tied to nowhere, and most of this record was a discovery that I was even making one. I’d say I have more nerves now that the record is out and it’s no longer mine and wonder what the kids on the playground will say about it.
B&E: What’s your favorite song on the record?
morgxn: It’s tough to put them on the chopping block, but “Vital” sticks out to me. It continually shapes itself as I play it live, and I’m learning more and more about myself through the song and the word “vital.”
B&E: You have a collaboration with The Naked And Famous on the album. How did that come about?
morgxn: I have always loved their music, and I had the good fortune of getting asked to come to the studio and make music with Alisa, but I’m not one to fangirl. I like to keep things respectful. I had just written the song “Alone/Forever” about a boy who, well, made me not want to be alone forever, and I was sitting with Alisa at the bar after our first session and she was lamenting (at the time) that she was going to be alone forever. Side note: Alisa is happily with a beautiful man right now. I’m still… alone forever, but I digress. At the time I was obviously struck that she said the exact phrase of my unreleased song that I (to only myself had exclaimed) wanted to have her sing with me. I continued the conversation, and a few hours later she said the same phrase again. “I just feel like I’m going to be alone forever”, and this time I took it as a sign and said “I have this song you need to hear, and if you feel it with me, let’s do it together.” The next step was getting Thom the song, and together we finished the production on it.
Bonus story: when I went over to Alisa’s house months after we had recorded the song, just to hang out, I pull up to her home, and it’s the same building that the guy I wrote the song about actually lives in. So, you tell me the moral.
B&E: This is your first Lollapalooza! Have you been to the festival before?
morgxn: I lived in Chicago for 3 years, but always told myself my first festival experience was going to be when I played it.
B&E: What is more exciting for you, putting out your debut album, or playing big stages like Lollapalooza?
morgxn: What comes first, the chicken or the egg?
B&E: You’re about to go on a big tour after Lollapalooza. What are you looking forward to most about the tour?
morgxn: Bringing connection, community and light to a bunch of dark spaces.
B&E: Finally, if you could collaborate with any one artist on the Lollapalooza lineup, who would you pick?
morgxn: Walk the Moon
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