Once again, we had the chance to sit down with Alwyn Morrison to dive into the story behind his upcoming single, “Chained.” We explored the inspiration driving this powerful new track, uncovering the emotional core that fuels his songwriting. Alwyn opened up about his creative process, from the first spark of an idea to the final, polished composition, and how his personal experiences shape the raw, honest sound he’s become known for. It’s a glimpse into the mind of an artist who’s unafraid to channel vulnerability into music, creating something that resonates deeply with listeners. Pre-save “Chained” HERE
Hello Alwyn, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. It has been a couple of months since we spoke. How have you been?
I’ve been doing well, thanks for asking! Lately, I’ve been writing more music while also releasing songs that are out now. It’s an interesting balance: on one hand, I’m working on songs that reflect how I’m feeling in the moment, and on the other, I’m still connected to the music that’s already out there, along with all the things that come with it, like social media and press. It’s been a lot of fun, and I’m really looking forward to sharing even more music with everyone!
“Chained” sounds incredibly personal and raw, you mentioned it’s about loving someone battling depression. How did you tap into those emotions while writing and recording it?
Actually, ‘Chained’ was the first song I ever recorded. I released other songs first, but this was the first time I sang into a mic in a studio. I wasn’t thinking about releasing it at the time; I just needed to get it out. If that makes sense, the songwriting process alone wasn’t enough for me to release those emotions… I had to say it out loud and sing it. I remember feeling really comfortable because I wasn’t focused on sounding perfect or hitting the right notes. I just needed to express myself. My producer was incredibly supportive and recorded everything, and we ended up using those initial vocals from my first day in the studio for the final track. It’s been a long time since I recorded it, but now it feels like the right moment to share it.
You said you don’t even remember writing the song, like it was just waiting to come out. Do you think that kind of creative experience changes the way you connect to the song now that it’s finished?
It’s true. I don’t remember exactly. I remember the feeling of needing to get those emotions out. It was quite a busy day. I was traveling from New York to Amsterdam, and before heading to the airport, I went for a little walk in Central Park. As I started thinking about the song, I felt this emotion inside of me that just had to come out. But I was in a rush, so I only had time to pick up my phone and start writing the lyrics once I got on the plane. It felt like I wrote it all at once, then I fell asleep. What I know is that I woke up to a fully written song, and to this day, it’s one of the few songs where I didn’t change a single word from what I wrote that day. The feeling was there, everything I wanted to say, and it still resonates deeply with me.
You mentioned the imagery of being “in a dark room,” how important is visual storytelling in your songwriting?
That line in this song is really a metaphor for battling depression. However, many of my songs are quite visual. Even in this one, the verses, especially the first one, are very vivid. I have always felt like I have a cinematic creative mind, and I am naturally a very visual person. Since I was a kid, I have always remembered the colors of specific objects and the environment around me during special moments with people. Bringing those detailed visual references into my songwriting comes very naturally to me.
This song has been co-wrote with Michael Ales, like you did with your first single, “The City.” How has your dynamic with him evolved through these collaborations?
Michael Ales and I collaborate on a lot of music. If we had all the time in the world just to create, I feel like we’d never leave the studio. ‘The City’ and ‘Chained’ were some of the first songs we worked on together, and since then, we’ve probably worked on around 20 other songs. Mike is an incredible singer, a fantastic composer, and a fascinating guitar player and producer. He’s a true all-around artist, which I deeply respect, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with him. What I love most about our work together are those moments when he plays something on the guitar, and I instantly have this gut feeling that those are the perfect chords for the song. Sometimes, I have to beg him not to change the composition because I get so attached to a demo or the first time he plays something. I think he’s truly inspired in those moments, and when something feels right, I always trust that it’s the melody to go with.
The song didn’t change from the first draft. What do you think made it feel so complete right from the start?
A couple of things. First, when I wrote the lyrics, they were so emotionally charged that I didn’t want to revisit them, so I set the song aside for a while. Then, when I started working on the music with Mike Ales, everything just clicked. From the first guitar strum to the last, it felt right the moment he played it. This kind of effortless simplicity is actually quite rare, at least for me, in songwriting. I believe those are magical and special moments, and the songs that come from them are truly one of a kind.
The background vocals were a spontaneous addition during the recording. Do you often rely on instinctual choices like that in the studio?
Yes, they were. The day after I recorded the lead vocal, I told my producer, Michael Carey, that I felt inspired to record some background vocals for the song. I’m not sure why I felt that way, but I ended up really loving how they sound and how they blend with the lead vocal. I am very spontaneous in the studio, but it’s important to have others who are open to that energy too. I’m so grateful that Michael is one of those people.
Michael Carey was responsible for production. What was it like collaborating with him to bring this song to life?
Collaborating with Michael Carey has been an absolute joy. He trusts me, and I trust him, which is essential for bringing music to life. I can only work with people I admire and respect, both professionally and personally. For ‘Chained,’ I wanted the song to stay as close as possible to my original demo, but in other songs, like my previous single ‘Lenox Hill,’ Michael’s production really brought the song to life in such a unique way. Even in my first single, ‘The City,’ Michael’s electric guitar solo truly transformed the song. I am beyond thankful for everything he’s brought to my music. Michael Carey is truly a world class musician. A brilliant songwriter, singer, guitar player, and producer.
How does “Chained” compare to your previous single, both sonically and emotionally?
My last single ‘Lenox Hill’ was a synthpop, piano-driven ballad, I guess. I don’t really like to put my music in these hyper specific music genres. ‘Chained’ is much more guitar driven, I guess people would say is pop, but I do feel like it has this rock energy, just like my first single ‘The City,’ which reminds me of British rock and alternative rock bands, maybe even a little bit of pop-punk. I don’t know. Well, for me, my music is a bit different if it starts with a demo with only vocals and piano, like it happened for Lenox Hill, or if it starts with a demo with only vocals and guitar. I am such a big fan of guitar-oriented music in general, that for me at least the product, the final track, just has a different energy than songs that my collaborators and I work on starting with a different instrument or approach.
Since this is your most personal song yet, do you think it marks a turning point in your sound or songwriting approach moving forward?
Not so much in my songwriting approach. This song was actually written quite a while ago, and I still tend to write from a deeply personal space in most of my songs. Occasionally, I try to step outside of that approach. I’m often inspired by specific words or combinations of words that catch my attention or that I find unique or beautiful. In terms of my sound, the positive response to this song has helped me understand what my audience appreciates or expects from me as an artist. However, I believe all the music I’ve released so far, despite the differences in themes or instruments, has a thread that ties everything together. So, I don’t necessarily see this release as a turning point, but maybe it is. I’m not sure yet.
You said the song is deeply personal but also universally relatable. What do you hope listeners take away from “Chained”?
This song is my most intimate creation yet, written from a place deep in my heart. It’s about loving someone who struggles with depression and feeling like you’re trapped in a dark room with them. It’s about how that affects your own life, wanting to help but feeling helpless because it’s beyond your control. Every attempt to make things better can feel like a failure, even though your intentions are pure. At its core, this song is about resilience, empathy, and the emotional toll of loving someone through their hardest moments. I hope listeners can relate to the feeling of trying to be there for someone, even when it’s incredibly difficult, and find comfort in knowing they’re not alone in that experience.
The track touches on helplessness and longing, have fans already shared any personal stories with you about how the song resonates with them?
Yes, the beauty of social media is how it brings people together to share deeply personal stories. It’s overwhelming and emotional to see how listeners reach out to me, sharing something personal and expressing how my songs resonate with them. Even with my collaborators, whether they are cowriters or videographers, who hear the music before it is released, I get the chance to learn more about them when we talk about the song. I truly value the trust they place in me by sharing how personal my lyrics are to them, even if we come from completely different lived experiences.
With “Chained” releasing soon, do you have more music on the horizon? Is this song part of a bigger project?
I’m focused on continuing to grow and express myself through music. I’m still having fun experimenting in the studio. I’m not necessarily working toward an album or an EP, but who knows? I’ve spent the past year writing and recording, and I’ve been selective about which songs I want to bring to life with live instruments and production. I’ve recorded over 15 songs just in the past few months. I love collaborating, so I’m definitely excited to work with more musicians down the road. I don’t usually plan too far ahead; I just go with the flow and see what feels right. But one thing’s for sure: there’s more music coming your way!
Reflecting on this song’s journey from a flight to Europe to a full studio recording, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve taken from creating “Chained”?
The biggest lesson I’ve taken from creating ‘Chained’ is the realization that art, especially music, often feels like a kind of divine intervention. I know it might sound cliché, and many artists, from songwriters to musicians, painters, sculptors, or authors, say something similar. But there are moments when a song feels like it was meant to be created by you at a specific time. You have to recognize those moments, trust yourself, and let your instincts guide you. Inspiration flows when you allow it, and you can’t force it or try to replicate it. Those moments are truly special.
That’s it! Thank you so much for your time. Anything in the end you would like to say to the readers?
Thank you so much for your time! To the readers, I just want to say that while ‘Chained’ is deeply personal to me, I believe its message is something everyone can understand. We all face moments where we feel trapped by our emotions, past experiences, or relationships, and I truly hope this song speaks to anyone who has ever felt that weight.
Thoughts Words Action 