Exclusive Interview with ALWYN MORRISON

In the heart of New York City, where dreams collide with reality, singer-songwriter Alwyn Morrison crafts stories of resilience, heartbreak, and unwavering hope. His debut single “The City” isn’t just another song about New York – it’s a raw, electric testament to the universal experience of belonging and displacement that defines life in any metropolis that holds both our dreams and our demons. Check out the exclusive Interview below:

1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?

ALWYN MORRISON: Music has always been deeply woven into my life. From a young age, I played several instruments – the piano, flute, and guitar – and even spent years performing in my school orchestra on the xylophone. But what really shaped my path into music was songwriting. I began writing poems and songs as a kid, dreaming they could be on MTV. I remember being late to school to watch Monsoon by Tokio Hotel and Crazy In Love by Beyoncé on MTV!

2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?

ALWYN MORRISON: My musical journey began with a mix of formal training and personal exploration. I started by learning to play the piano, flute, and guitar, and even spent years performing in my school orchestra on the xylophone. Later on, I joined a serenading group in college, where I played the tambourine, and that experience gave me a different, more carefree way to connect with music. While these formal experiences shaped my technical skills, it was my personal exploration through songwriting that truly set the course for my career. Songwriting became a way for me to express myself, and over time, collaborating with other musicians has been a huge part of that process. Working with close friends who are amazing musicians has allowed me to blend my personal style with their influences, creating something unique. This combination of formal training and personal discovery has shaped how I approach music.

3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘ALWYN MORRISON’?

ALWYN MORRISON: It’s hard to pinpoint exactly who influences my sound because I love such a wide range of music. Everything I listen to seems to find its way into my work. P!nk and Sia have been huge inspirations from the start, and I’m also drawn to rock bands like Oasis, Bon Jovi, and The All-American Rejects. At the same time, country artists like Kenny Chesney and Lainey Wilson have shaped my musical taste. These diverse influences have all blended together to shape my sound. Alwyn Morrison is a twist on my birth name, and it came to me one day as I walked past a building called Alwyn Court in NYC.

4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?

ALWYN MORRISON: Working with other musicians has deepened my connection to music, and that energy is something I try to capture in my songs. Music has always been my anchor, through tough times and happy moments, and if my music can offer that same comfort or joy to others, then I feel like I’ve succeeded. As for my sound, I’m heavily influenced by the energy of rock, especially bands like Oasis, The Cranberries, and The Cure. You’ll definitely hear that electric guitar-driven vibe in songs like “The City.” But I also have some upcoming tracks that lean more pop, reflecting my love for ’90s pop music. I hope my music evokes emotions that resonate deeply, whether that’s strength, nostalgia, or simply joy.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?

ALWYN MORRISON: For me, finding my own sound felt pretty natural. It was a mix of learning from my collaborators and really diving into my personal connection with music through songwriting. I’ve always been passionate about so many different artists and genres, and that passion definitely shaped my music journey. But as I started collaborating with friends and other musicians, I began to create something more personal. My sound evolved as I blended those influences with my own experiences. It’s hard to pinpoint every influence, but I know everything I listen to somehow makes its way into my music, helping to shape something that, I hope, feels unique.

6. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?

ALWYN MORRISON: My creative process usually starts with a little spark—sometimes it’s just a line that pops into my head, or a word that sticks with me and keeps repeating, or other times it’s more like I’m writing in a diary, pouring out thoughts and feelings that are hard to express any other way. From there, I build on it, usually starting on my own. But the magic really happens when I share the song with other musicians. I love seeing how they add their own twist, whether it’s changing a lyric or adding a fresh guitar riff. I never tell them what to do, I just let them play and see where their creativity takes it. That collaboration is what really shapes the final track and makes it feel alive. Nothing brings me more joy than sitting down with a collaborator, just a piano or guitar in hand, and watching a song come to life.

7. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?

ALWYN MORRISON: The most challenging hurdle for me in recent years has been facing personal struggles that, in turn, have shaped my music. I’ve always kept some things private, but during this time, I found myself writing more than ever.

Heartbreak, like for many artists, has been a huge driver of my creativity. It pushes me to explore different directions in my songs, sometimes through storytelling in the lyrics, and other times by connecting more deeply with the melody and music itself. What I also find incredibly beautiful and fascinating is how the production can completely transform a song. A song with upbeat music can carry a hidden sadness in the lyrics, and I find that contrast really beautiful and inspiring. It’s this kind of contrast that has shaped me as an artist and deepened my approach to creating music.

8. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.

ALWYN MORRISON: My second single, “Lenox Hill,” is a song I wrote with my good friend and Emmy-nominated composer, Michael Kooman. I recorded it in Los Angeles with my producer, Michael Carey, who turned our piano demo into this amazing synth-pop power ballad. The song really captures the feeling of love and loss, set against the romantic vibe of one of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods, Lenox Hill. The music video was edited by Scott Mele, who’s worked with huge country artists like Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton. I still can’t believe I got to collaborate with him… It’s been such an honor. I’ve been lucky to work with truly talented people, and the trust we’ve built makes the whole process feel that much more special. Oh, and I’m working on a remix of the song… but that’s still a little secret for now!

9. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

ALWYN MORRISON: It’s honestly amazing to get these unexpected, sweet messages on social media from people saying things like, “I just realized I was humming your song and wanted to reach out.” Or seeing videos of people singing along. It’s something I never even imagined would happen. Social media can feel like it controls so much of our lives these days, and I’m not always a fan of that because it doesn’t bring me a lot of personal joy. But then you get these moments where the best of humanity shines through, and something positive travels across the world to make someone smile. It’s pretty incredible.

10. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

ALWYN MORRISON: I think there’s beauty in both: the real story behind a song and the personal interpretation that comes with it. Most of my songs start from my own experiences, but I do try to make it what music already naturally does, which is to make personal feelings universal. For example, when I wrote “The City,” I wanted it to go beyond just my own story. It’s about chasing dreams, overcoming obstacles, and navigating life’s challenges… Things everyone can relate to. Even though the song reflects my experience living in New York, I want it to speak to anyone who’s felt torn between belonging and displacement or the pull between staying in a place that’s both challenging and magnetic. Music’s beauty is in how it allows listeners to connect with it in their own way.