Check out our interview with Nashville based country artist Morgan Johnston who just released her new single ‘The End.’
The track has blown up on TikTok a number of times (this video has received over 247k views and still growing ‘The End’ – TikTok) and it was chosen by Elaina Smith for her ‘Nights With Elaina’ radio show as the ‘TikTok Pick Of The Week’ thus already receiving attention from major radio in the U.S. Baylen Leonard from Absolute Country Radio (the biggest country station in the U.K) has selected the track as his ‘spotlight single of the week’ in the week leading up to release so it’s also making waves internationally. Morgan has played regularly with the Song Suffragettes in Nashville and also supported names such as Lainey Wilson and Dustin Lynch.
Follow Morgan @morganjohnstonmusic
Hi Morgan, please tell us a little about you?
Hi there! Thanks so much for having me.
I’m originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I grew up on a small farm about 10 minutes from the beach. Both of my parents are professional dog trainers, so I spent a lot of time with animals growing up and that love for animals has stayed with me throughout the years. I’ve been singing ever since I can remember and started to write songs when I was thirteen. I dropped out of college in 2016 to move to Nashville and pursue my songwriting and artistry career. Best decision I ever made!
How did you get started in the business?
I got started very organically, like most people who move to Nashville do. I started by going out and watching writers rounds in town, networking with other writers and asking them to write. It’s all about networking. I’d go to the shows I wanted to play and find out who ran the show and introduce myself. I’d go to the shows I knew the people I wanted to meet would be at and I’d try to introduce myself. Most importantly, I worked hard (and still do) at getting better every day. I’m always trying to be in rooms that inspire me and make me better at my craft and I am constantly learning from the people around me. I also got lucky and ended up meeting some of my best friends this way.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Honest, witty, and dreamy!
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
When I was young, Shania Twain, Britney Spears and Carrie Underwood lit a fire inside me that made me want to be a performer. As I grew up and my writing became the most important part of my artistry, I’m deeply inspired by people like Taylor Swift, The Chicks, Jp Saxe, Donovan Woods, Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves.
Do you play any instrument?
Yes! My main instrument is guitar but I also play piano.
Do you ever get nervous?
All of the time! Usually my nerves are all pre-show anticipation. As soon as I’m performing something takes over me and my nerves fly away
Tell us about your new single “’The End”?
I wrote this song with two of my favorite co-writers in Nashville, Lydia Dall and Chase McDaniel. It was written to embody the mixed feelings of excitement and nerves that someone might feel when they meet someone who they feel will be “the end” of their love story. Most love songs portray the sureness someone may feel when they meet “the one” but I think “The End” shows the realistic nerves and hesitation someone may have and personally, I think that’s fun, flirty and powerful.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I think that the most rewarding part of what I do is relying on songwriting to heal my pain, which in turn also heals others. If you know me, you know I’m a fun girl and love a good funny song or a good time party song, but I think the truth is, the songs that resonate with people or change their lives are the songs that make them feel something real. There is nothing more special to me than having a complete stranger feel safe to share a story of theirs with me because I shared something with them.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
To trust myself. A combination of big and small decisions are constantly being made in our lives and for most of us, there’s a lot of people around with varying opinions. I’m a people pleaser and I struggle with wanting to make others happy or like me, but at the end of the day, nobody knows what’s best for me better than I know what’s best for me. I’m learning to block out the noise and look inside of myself. I find that we all know what is right for us if we grant ourselves the confidence in our own lives to make the right choice.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
It’s funny, when people ask me this question I always find myself feeling a little backwards. Most of my journey in my later 20s feels like I’m constantly reaching for my younger self and realizing she was a lot smarter than I gave her credit for. Chasing this dream can be very taxing on someone’s identity and authenticity. As an artist in this industry, sometimes it feels like we’re always being pushed to fit into a box and make others happy and hope people like us or like our music. It’s easy to become tainted. But for me, I try to remind myself to be more like my younger self. Free, authentic, and exactly who I am. Back then I couldn’t help but be anything but who I was because I didn’t know any different. I’m still on a journey to lean into myself and who I want to be and stay that young girl in my heart.
What’s next for Morgan Johnston in 2022?
I just released the first single, “The End”, off of my debut album that comes out in October! The next single is a song called “After Me” that is very special to me and it comes out on July 1st.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Pineapple!
And your favorite cheat food?
Pasta and bread!
Best advice ever given?
Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t- you’re right.
What do you think of Social Media?
I feel mixed. I recognize the unbelievable platform it’s given people. It’s transformed peoples lives for the better and also given people like me a place to promote my craft and reach millions of people. Amazing. But I also think it takes us away from the important things in life and it saddens me that we miss out on simple, beautiful moments and being present with the people we love because we’re scrolling. We’re all guilty of it, including me.
Where we can follow you?
Spotify / Apple Music / All streaming platforms: Morgan Johnston
TikTok: @morganjohnstonmusic
Instagram: @morganjohnstonmusic
Facebook: Morgan Johnston Music
Twitter: @morganjohnstonm
Book: Where The Crawdads Sing
Quote: “How you make other people feel about themselves says a lot about you.”
Movie: The Grinch
Tv Series: You
Travel Destination: Italy, Thailand and Australia (the Outback)
Sports team: New England Patriots
Photo credit: Julianne Drake Photography
