In Conversation With - Morgan Harper-Jones
Twenty one year old newcomer Morgan Harper-Jones has just shared an intimate video for her debut single ‘Breathe’, she took a moment to talk to us about the track and her home town of Rochdale.
So you hail from Rochdale, what is it famous for?
The cooperative started there which is pretty cool!? And we have this word “cruckle”. Anyone outside of Rochdale has no idea what we are on about when we say we’ve just “cruckled”..:
Your new track ‘Breathe’ is out now, what is the track about?
Since I wrote it it’s had lots of different meanings really. But broadly speaking it’s about accepting things for what they are.
You have just released a video for the track, where was it recorded? It was done in one take, was that stressful?
We filmed it somewhere that had a photography studio and a recording studio on the same floor so there were loads of leads running from room to room!
Yeah we recorded it live, it took me ages to get it in one take cause trying to use a loop pedal (which requires standing on one leg) is hard when your legs turn to jelly. I was a bit nervous haha!
For a few years now, you have been performing across the North West of England, what are your favorite memories from this? And what has made you take that leap to push yourself out into the wider world?
I think my favourite memory is playing The Deaf Institute in Manchester in 2016. I played a set with my best friend and we just laughed all the way through it. Maybe a bit unprofessional but the audience were laughing along with us too so it was fun.
What are your key inspirations as an artist?
Gah there’s so many to list!
I love Joni Mitchell a lot, Paul Simon is great. At the minute I’m obsessed with Aldous Harding.
Your aunt got you into making music, can you tell us more about that? What music did she get your into?
She introduced me to Fleetwood Mac, but she introduced me to writing mostly. She wrote guitar/piano pop songs. I used to dance and sing to the CD she made me in my room. I still know every single word to all of them.
Now the track and video are out there, what is next for Morgan Harper-Jones?
I’ve got some live shows coming up soon that I’m excited about! And releasing some more tracks and another video in the next few months. I promised my grandma we’d go for afternoon tea when I get some royalties through so lots of important plans ahead.