Introducing #0087 - Jonny Morgan
Let us introduce you to Bath based singer-songwriter Jonny Morgan, who has just dropped his debut single ‘Your Touch’. He took a moment to talk to us about the track and his Dorset roots.
Your single is out now, what is the track ‘Your Touch’ about?
'Your Touch' is a tongue and cheek approach to a love song. My lyrics are those of someone who is pining for a lover despite not being willing to change. As it was my actions that ultimately led to the break up, this song deals with the harsh realisation that you can believe that you’re a good person but still be the bad part of a relationship.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories?
'Your Touch' was recorded with a small studio setup in my producer’s (Luke) university dorm. Once Luke and I get an idea in our head we can’t leave anything unfinished. We started recording in the early evening and when we eventually stopped at 1/2 am, the song was 95% there. Due to the nature of a university building with 500 other students and paper thin walls, if you listen closely, I’m sure you can hear some noises that I couldn’t talk about until after the watershed… !
You grew up in rural Dorset, what fond memories do you have of the place?
I have plenty of fond memories from growing up in Dorset. The main benefit of living in the middle of nowhere is that you didn’t have to worry about making noise. This is probably what led to my love of rock music and thrashing guitars. We would often have house parties where we would make as much noise as possible - so much so that one night, when I had just turned 16 and my parents were away, I blew my dad’s hi-fi system which dated back to the 80s. Funnily enough, that’s the last house party I recall and I’m yet to be forgiven.
Your father had quite the record collection when you were growing up, which artists or songs stick out the most from your childhood? Do you feel it shaped your writing style when it comes to songs?
I grew up surrounded by classic rock and blues guitarists. I remember my first ever gig at the age of 7, my dad drove me all the way up to Sheffield to see Eric Clapton, supported by Robert Cray - two total guitar aficionados. I was totally blown away and remember thinking “yeah, I’m having a bit of that”. At the concert, my dad spent a small fortune for 5 limited edition Eric Clapton plectrums. Never having even touched a guitar before, I slept with these pics by my bedside table every night. Six months later, I was bought my first ever sun burst Stratocaster from ‘toys r us’ and that’s where it all started. Despite my initial experiences with rock music, I remember being obsessed with Ray Charles after seeing the film Ray released shortly after he died. I fell in love with his short sweet pop songs which had so much groove and feeling and conveyed a strong message in such short space of time. I think this has a heavy influence on my writing today.
Now the single is out there, what next? What are your plans for the next few months?
Now the single is out, I look forward to releasing more. I’ve spent the last few years writing and recording so I have a lot to share. Before then, the 'Your Touch' music video will be released in the upcoming weeks which I am excited about. There’s also an acoustic music video to come which I was lucky enough to record in the US last month. I’ve just come back from a European Sofar Sounds tour, so I will now look forward to gigging on home soil for a while with a notable gig on October 15th at The Bedford, London.