We chat with George Morris about his solo project and his favourite dead people.

 

We recently raved about 100 years, the lead single from George Morris‘ upcoming self-titled album. So we decided to have a chat with George about the song, his upcoming album and the dead people he would most like to call his friends.

Some might know you as the former frontman of The Satin Peaches. But how did you get from there to this more solo-angled venture?

“It just kind of made sense. We had been at it for a long time with the Peaches and we all wanted to try something new.”

What do you feel sets you apart from The Satin Peaches?

“I think this stuff is a little more dynamic. The Peaches were more go, go, in your face, which was a lot of fun. This is a bit more up and down.”

How would you describe your sound in three words?

“I honestly don’t know, I’m too close to it. I’m really not sure what it sounds like to other people.” (we opted for subtly sexual psychedelia)

Which one of your songs best summarizes your sound for new listeners?

“I think my favorite two tracks from the new album are “Full of Stars” and “No Feelings Left”. Those are the ones I’d play for someone new I guess.”

What’s the songwriting process like for you? How is it different to The Satin Peaches?

“It’s not much different. I usually write and demo at the same time, then if it ends up being something interesting, I’ll send it to the band.”

So your self-titled album is just around the corner, and you’ve dropped 100 Years in the meantime. How indicative is that song of the rest of the album?

“I think there are some different elements throughout the album, but if you like that song, I think you’ll like the rest of the record.”

How did 100 years develop as a song? I imagine that something as winding and epic sounding as that took a long while to perfect.

“That one really came together in the studio. Shipps had an idea to tweak the vocal melody in the chorus a little bit and that really opened it up. It came together pretty quickly actually. It was one of the first tracks we did so I think that got us going.”

Why did you choose it as the lead single from the album?

“I played the album for a few people and everyone seemed to agree that should be the first single.”

The song opens with the line “all of my friends are dead.” If you had to choose three dead people to become friends with (in a scenario where they were alive again, not in a weird necrophile way), who would they be and why?

“Kurt Vonnegut, for one. I’ve read all his books and I think it’d be fun to smoke cigarettes with him. George Harrison is my second choice. He’s a Beatle and we have the same birthday. Last but not least is Frank Sinatra. I think if you’re friends with Frank, you can pretty much do anything right? As long as he says it’s ok.”

We’ll look a bit more at that album now. How many tracks are there on it, and was there much that didn’t make the cut?

“There are eight. There were a few that didn’t make the cut. I think the album is about 35 mins long in total. I didn’t want to do anything longer than that really, so I had to drop some.”

Of all the songs that appear on the album, which are you most excited for people to hear?

“Full of Stars and No Feelings Left. Helena’s piano solo at the end of No Feelings Left is one of my favorite moments on the album.”

Once the album drops, what have you got coming up to support the release?

“We’ll be playing around the mid-west in the spring.”