Alwyn Morrison writes soaring alternative pop tracks and just released an ode to New York City, but really any city where someone feels like they belong. With this new indie pop release we thought is was about the right time to ask Alwyn some questions about his music, the single, and the future.
Hi! Could you introduce yourself, your genre, and your musical influences?
“I’d say some of my songs definitely have more of a rock vibe, kind of inspired by bands like The Cars, The Cranberries, The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Coldplay, Keane… But then there are others that are more pop-driven. At the end of the day, I’m a ’90s pop kid, so that’s always in the mix. I also love bands like Oasis, Bon Jovi, and The All-American Rejects, and I can’t forget my love for country music. Artists like Kenny Chesney and Lainey Wilson are a big influence too. Honestly, it’s hard to separate what inspires me as an artist from what I just love listening to as a fan. Everything I hear kind of works its way into my music, I guess.”
What inspired you to start making music and what inspires you to keep going?
“I got into music through song writing. When I was younger, I’d write poems and songs, thinking they could totally make it on MTV! I’d love to look back at those old notebooks now, probably have a good laugh. But on a deeper level, the challenges I’ve faced in the last few years really started to shape my writing. I noticed I was writing more songs than ever during that time, and it made me realize that music became my way of processing everything. That’s what keeps me going. There’s always something new to express, and music is the perfect way to do that.”
Which musical achievements are you most proud of?
“I honestly never imagined I’d be recording and releasing music. Just writing songs, whether by myself or with collaborators, has always brought me so much joy—I could’ve lived with my demos forever! But eventually, the creative process led me to want to share my music with others, not just keep it to myself. Since I started recording, one of the things I’m most proud of is how much I’ve enjoyed collaborating with other musicians. And then there are those moments when I get these unexpected messages on social media, like someone telling me they were humming one of my songs or sharing a video of them singing along. It’s those little things that make me so proud and remind me of how far I’ve come.”
Who would you like to work with and where would you like to perform in the next three years?
“In the next few years, I’d love to hit the road and perform in different cities, both in the US and Europe. Honestly, the whole idea of touring didn’t even cross my mind until recently, but now I’ve got that itch to get out there and perform live! As for who I’d want to work with… wow, there are so many dream collabs. But sharing a stage with someone like Chappell Roan, Morgan Wallen, or Miley Cyrus? That would be incredible beyond words.”
You mention New York as the inspiration for your new single, can you name two or three other cities that have made you feel like you belong, about which the song is partly written as well?
“Well, I was born in Porto, Portugal, and spent a few years living in Munich, Germany. As a kid, I also spent a lot of time with my godparents in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. So, those cities definitely feel like home to me in some way. That being said, even though my first single, The City, is about New York, and my upcoming single, Lenox Hill, is full of New York City references too, I think the songs have a universal feel to them. They’re really about chasing dreams, dealing with heartbreak, and facing life’s ups and downs. Things all of us can connect with. Even though these songs reflect my time in New York, I wanted them to resonate with anyone who’s ever felt torn between belonging and feeling out of place, or that pull to stay somewhere that’s both challenging and magnetic. Music has a unique way of making things feel universally relatable.”
This song has a clear inspiration, do you always write from personal experience and if you’re ever stuck for inspiration, how do you refuel your creative brain?
“Most of my songs come from personal experience. The challenges I’ve faced, especially in the last few years, really started to pour into my lyrics, and I found myself writing more than ever. Heartbreak, like it does for many artists, has been a big driver of my creativity. It pushes me to explore different paths in my music, whether it’s telling a story through the lyrics or diving deeper into the melody. My creative process usually starts with something small… a line that just pops into my head, a word that sticks with me, or sometimes it’s more like writing in a diary, getting out feelings that are hard to express any other way. When I get stuck for inspiration, I try to take a step back, clear my head, and let the creativity come naturally. It usually hits when I least expect it. Like when I’m about to board a plane or almost falling asleep.”
Aside from the new single, what are your plans for this year and what do you hope to achieve?
“This year, aside from the release of my first single, “The City” back in January, I’ll be dropping a new single, “Lenox Hill.” I’m really proud of how this song turned out. It’s a pop track I co-wrote with my good friend, Michael Kooman, and recorded in Los Angeles with my producer, Michael Carey. Michael transformed our little piano demo into this beautiful synth-pop power ballad that captures the feeling of love and loss. The music video was edited by Scott Mele, who has worked with icons like Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, and Kenny Chesney. It was such an honour to collaborate with him. Working with such talented people, whom I trust and am lucky to call friends, has made everything feel even more special. I’m also working on a remix of the song, but that’s still under wraps for now! As for the rest of the year, I’m excited to continue to release new music, and hopefully take the next step in my live performances!”
What tip would you give your younger self to make sure they don’t give up on their dreams?
“You know what? What comes to mind right now is that I should give my current self the advice to be more like I was when I was younger. How can we learn to be less like we are now and more like we were back then? I think we’d smile a lot more often if we could do that.”
Anything else you would like to mention that our readers should definitely know about you?
“One thing I’d love for your readers to know is that this year, I’m excited to share more sides of who I am through my music. I want to take people on a journey, showing the different parts of my personality and sound. My music will continue to have that balance of emotional depth and raw energy, whether I’m tapping into my introspective side, my fiery side, or my more uplifting, optimistic side. Music is such a powerful way to connect with others, both on a personal level and universally. So as I move forward, I’m eager to push the boundaries of my sound while staying true to what feels authentic to me. I really hope people connect with that.”
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