Q&A: morgen Invokes All The Coming of Age Emotions with 'Unaccompanied Minor'

 

Photos By Alex Sovoda

 
 

SULTRY AND ALLURING VOCALS CATCH YOUR ATTENTION - and her upbeat indie-pop melodies keep you in the world of Morgen. Her new six-track EP Unaccompanied Minor explores the slew of themes that come with growing up, from vulnerable topics like isolation and trauma to exploring one’s sexuality. The California native hones in on a unique platter of soundscapes from jazzy synths to charming pop-centric vocals. Tapping into childhood influences like Carole King to modern-day icons like Billie Eilish, Morgen provides a fresh coming of age soundtrack.

Utilizing her time in quarantine to flesh out out the EP, Unaccompanied Minor is the result of two years of exploration, experimentation and finding her musical and personal identity. Morgen welcomes the listener in with “Odd One Out”, quickly bringing in a dancey melody complete with sweet guitars and her wispy vocals. The 17-year-old keeps the energy high with the ever so groovy “Fine By Me” by slowing things down with “Sunsets In Malibu” for a bit more emotive flow. Highlighting some eccentric production elements with “3D”, Morgen continues the juxtaposition of the EP by following with the bittersweet flow of “Sweet 16”. Wrapping the project up heartfelt track “Savor”, Morgen leaves the listener feeling like they’ve finished reading someone’s diary, eager to dive in again. 

Embracing this changing time in her life and welcoming whatever sonic interests she has, Morgen recognizes the growth her sound has had since her previous music. Unaccompanied Minor represents a more refined, intuitive chapter in Morgen’s musical diary and serves as an incredible introduction to the budding talent the rising artist has. Read below to learn more about the making of the EP and hear the stories that Unaccompanied Minor tells. 

LUNA: What do you hope your fans take away from your Unaccompanied Minor?

MORGEN: I hope they take away a sense of relatability or just feel less alone in general…that would be ideal :) 

LUNA: Are you excited to play your music live and do you have any plans to get out on the road?

MORGEN: Yes I’m so so SO excited!! Extremely nervous but so excited to perform live again. I would love to get out on the road but I’m not sure what the plan is quite yet. I’m definitely gonna be playing shows in the near future, but not sure about tour yet. 

LUNA: From choosing homeschooling and the local arts scene over more popular or conventional activities you seem to be someone who has always taken their own path. Did writing this EP in isolation of the pandemic change any of this for you or further ensure that you are on the right path in following your passions?

MORGEN: I think it further ensured that I’m on the right path…? It definitely ensured my love for music, but I don’t think I’ll ever figure out whether I’m on the right path or not, I’m just doing what I love to do and sticking to it. I’m gonna make it the right path whether it is or not.

LUNA: Would you ever collaborate with other artists, and if so who’s your dream artist to collaborate with?

MORGEN: I have so many dream collaborations but I would LOVE to do a song with Remi Wolf…I just love her energy so much. 

LUNA: Your sound perfectly encapsulates the feeling of adolescence right now. How is it being a teen in this era and are you hoping other people your age can relate to you through your music?

MORGEN: My personal experience with being a teen in today’s society is…tumultuous. It’s really difficult living in a world that expects you to accomplish everything before you turn 30, that’s a lot of pressure. Also, we’re constantly comparing ourselves to other people on the internet and fed so much information all the time, that it gets to be a lot. I would hope my peers find some sort of relatability from my music, and if not I’d hope they’d just vibe with it overall…but everyone is entitled to their own music taste :)

LUNA: What is it about artists like Billie Eilish and Ashe that inspire you and your music?

MORGEN: Billie Eilish and Ashe are both incredible artists, the way they write and their textured voices amaze me. Also, their harmonies are to DIE for. Billie inspires me creatively because she’s very honest and authentic…she’s constantly relatable and interesting. 

LUNA: You wrote this EP over a two-year period from 15-17. There’s so much growth that can happen over those two years did any of that influence your art as you worked your way through Unaccompanied Minor?

MORGEN: All of it influenced my art haha. The growth was what drove Unaccompanied Minor into existence. I think I’ve grown more the past two years of my life than I ever have before…that is, emotionally, I haven’t physically grown since 8th grade. 

LUNA: I love how each single release you’ve had has kind of a corresponding color on your Instagram. “Sweet 16” is gold and “3D” is blue. What color can we expect for Unaccompanied Minor?

MORGEN: Dark baby…Dark haha. Honestly Unaccompanied Minor isn’t even a sad or depressing EP, I just wanted to inflict the feeling of being alone which I feel dark colors represent…or at least they do for me. 

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