East Anglian rock / Americana collective Morganway release their debut self-titled album on August 2nd 2019, and play a selection of tour dates around the UK (dates below).
Morganway was founded in 2016 by twin brothers Callum (vocals/bass) and Kieran Morgan (lead guitar), and genre-defying keyboard player Matt Brocklehurst. Their numbers quickly grew as their sound developed, with singer SJ Mortimer, whose growling vocals were a perfect complement to the Morgan brothers gritty guitar work, and fiddle player Nicole J Terry joining the ranks. On the choice of adding another lead instrument to the band, Callum explained that, “both Kieran and Nicole have very individual playing styles, and that combination allows their instruments to play off one another in quite distinctive ways, sometimes harmonising or in total contrast.” The last member to officially join was drummer Ed Bullinger, whose diverse playing adds an urgent, yet tactful texture to the fray.
Inspired by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac and other classic guitar bands such as The Eagles, Morganway have quickly built a name for themselves on the UK live circuit. They have already received accolades from Radio 2’s ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris, swathes of recognition from the country press, two nominations from the BCMA awards, support slots with The Shires and an Under The Apple Tree session.
Peppered within their classic rock influences are aspects of country, Americana, pop and even bits of indie. Their ability to dance around genres yet keep a cohesive sound has been one of the principal reasons Morganway have such a captivating live show. Fans are taken on a journey through vastly dynamic soundscapes at their concerts, but how did they capture this live magic in the studio? According to Callum, “it couldn’t become too sanitised in the studio so the bulk of it was recorded live, with minimal overdubs. I think all art is frozen in its time, forever reflecting the moment in which it was made but also, hopefully, speaking to the person that discovers it in their own time. Jackson Browne says he still calls recordings ‘records’, regardless of their physical or digital format, because to him, they’re ‘a record of events’.”
Bolstering the sextet’s superb arrangements are vocals that deliver depth and character barely heard these days. Three part harmonies are the band’s bread and butter, and at times everyone chips in to support SJ and Callum’s masterfully crafted melodies. Lyrics on the other hand are less conspicuous, in that the band prefer to leave their interpretation up to the listener. “I don’t like to reveal too much about our lyrics, because I think it’s important that the listener makes up their own mind.” Comments Callum, “However with tracks like‘New Way’, lyrically it’s so direct in places. The chorus as on-the-nose as I think we’ve ever been. And yet, the verses paint a somewhat bizarre picture of some kind of psychedelic, spiritual awakening, reminiscent perhaps of one of my favourite songs, “Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel.”
Currently touring across the UK, Morganway play a selection of venues and festivals in 2019, with more dates to be announced. Their incendiary live shows have been blowing attendees away, and it’s hard not to come away a Morganway convert once you’ve seen what people are describing as “One of the most exciting prospects to appear on the scene.”
Pre-save & Pre-order links: https://listnin.co/Morganway
Catch Morganway live at the following venues and festivals in 2019. More dates yet to be announced:
Friday 26th April – Country On The Coast – Gaiety Bar, Portsmouth
Tuesday 07th May – Morganway with Wildwood Kin – Waterfront, Norwich
Friday 17th May– Sunday 19 May – Wood Festival 2019 Braziers Park, Wallingford
Thursday May 23rd – The 229 – London
Saturday 26th May – Leestock – Melford Hall, Suffolk
Sunday 2nd June – Country In the Afternoon – The Half Moon, Putney
Saturday 8th June – Alresford Music Festival – Hampshire
Saturday 15th June– Sunday 16 June – Foxton Locks 2019
Friday 21st June– Sunday 23 June – Black Deer Festival 2019
Sunday June 23rd – Deopham Music Festival – Norfolk
Friday 5th July– Sunday 07 July – Folk In A Field Festival 2019
Sunday 4th August – The Waterfront Sessions Americana Takeover – The Waterfront, Norwich
Saturday 10th August – Lakefest – Eastnor Castle Deer Park
‘Morganway’ – Tracklisting
- My Love Ain’t Gonna Save You
- Let Me Go
- You Can Only Die Once
- In A Dream (Coming Home)
- Frozen In Our Time
- London Life
- Hurricane
- New Way
- Daylight Rising
- I See People
- I Want No Other Love




