Morgan Saint

Pop singer Morgan Saint is currently wrapping up a tour and just released a new song called “god bless our souls.” The Long Island native has completed two EPs 17 Hero and Alien. 

She has performed live at Lollapalooza, with lovelytheband and most recently with Leon where she talked backstage. 

JN: (Jerry Nunn) Are you a self taught piano player?

MS: (Morgan Saint) I actually took piano lessons at a young age. I started taking piano lessons when I was eight. I was a really bad piano student. 

JN: I was too!

MS: Really? I loved it at the time, but I was just so bad at it. I think that is what lead to my songwriting. I would sit at the piano and practice the sheet music I was supposed to read. I was so frustrated. I am such a determined person and wanted to be good at it even if I couldn’t read the music. I got by so long in piano lessons without actually being able to read the music. This lead me to my own music without even knowing it. 

JN: Did you just write for yourself for a while after that?

MS: For sure. I never planned to do this, believe it or not. 

JN: I read you fell into it. 

MS: I did. When I was young, I was always obsessed with music. It was a dream of mine that I thought was impossible. It was not something I thought to do. Now I am here and it happened. 

I was in school for visual arts so I imagined going down that path after graduation. I turned to music and ended up in that direction. 

JN: What is it like having a major label behind you?

MS: It’s interesting [laughs]. There are things a label can help with and relationships that are very important, especially as a new artist. Sometimes it’s a little bit challenging because I am a very specific, particular person in what I am making. I really do everything myself. 

Sometimes they use a formula for other artists and I don’t fit into that formula. It can come with challenges. Overall, I am good in part because of them. I am grateful to be where I am at. Whenever people have opinions about you creatively it can get challenging, but you work through it. It is a journey to not sacrifice anything with the art you are making. 

JN: Where does your sense of style come from?

MS: My weird brain! My dad is really into fashion. I have always gotten that from him and pushed the boundaries a little bit. Growing up, I was tomboy and I still am. 

JN: Have you heard from the LGBT community about your androgynous looks?

MS: Yes. Many people that know my music happen to fall into that, which is awesome. Part of me hates social media, but part of me feels it is so important. I grew up without it. There is so much representation now. As a young person and coming to terms with your sexuality and where you fit in, it helps to have people that are doing it in such a public way. If I can be myself and help even one person that is amazing to me. 

JN: Do you identify as straight?

MS: No. 

JN: How do you identify?

MS: That’s a good question. I hate putting labels on anything. I love who I love. I have a girlfriend right now. 

I hate being put in a box. That is my literal worst fear in life. I don’t like to be told what my music falls under or my sexuality. I think labels are really important for some people and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s not needed in my life. 

JN: You don’t have to anymore…

MS: I don’t really feel like it. I am me, whatever that is is fine. 

JN: What pronouns do you prefer?

MS: “She” works for me. I know it’s important these days. 

JN: What sets you apart from other artists?

MS: Me being me sets me apart. There’s no one else like me. If people connect with that, that’s awesome. I am very honest. If people are looking for honesty, they will relate to what I am doing. 

JN: Is it hard getting across the personal lyrics in a venue like this?

MS: Yes, sometimes, especially opening. Being an opener can be tough. You want people to not talk when you are singing really personal things. Sometimes that is hard, but it’s going to pay off. 

JN: How was playing Lollapalooza?

MS: It was really fun. I liked the experience. Lollapalooza is iconic. It was great to be a part of that. It was my second time in Chicago, but first time in the summer. It was beautiful. I like warm weather. The first time I was in Chicago it was winter and it was freezing. 

JN: That was when I saw you perform at Schubas. I saw you at Lincoln Hall also when you performed with lovelytheband. You were sick so we didn’t chat. 

MS: I did get sick at some point on that tour. 

JN: Why did you decide to write the title for “god bless our souls” in lower case?

MS: It feels too formal to capitalize. I am also working on an album and there are some songs that are all upper case. That’s how I had it from the start saved on my phone. It felt right when it came time to release it. It’s a sad song and just made sense. 

JN: I want to ask Arianna Grande that too. Her whole album is lower case titles.

MS: Interesting. Even when I tweet I don’t like the look of upper case. I think lower case is more pleasing to the eye, but there’s no crazy significance. 

JN: What are you working on the rest of the year?

MS: A lot of new music. I never really know until a month ahead what is going on. Things change, but hopefully more touring and continuing to make stuff. I hope people connect to it. 

JN: Can you write while you are on the road?

MS: This tour is a little harder. We are on a bus with Leon. I can’t even have an instrument to play onstage. We are very limited. 

I have been writing in the past couple of months before this and I will continue to write after. Maybe it’s good to not write for a bit, even so I am still constantly writing in my notes on my phone. I use that as inspiration when I am writing music. I write something every day!