Singer-songwriter Alwyn Morrison chatted about his new single “Lenox Hill,” and his music inspirations.
How did the song “Lenox Hill” come about?
“Lenox Hill” started with the chorus, which I actually wrote while walking around New York City. I was singing it out loud without realizing people were staring… That’s when I knew I had something with the chorus.
From there, I wrote the verses and brought the song to my friend, Michael Kooman, who helped me compose it. We spent a lot of time perfecting the melody for the verses and bridge.
I obsessed over the piano demo for months, making sure everything felt just right. Then I took it to Los Angeles, where I recorded it at Michael Carey’s studio.
That’s when Michael really worked his magic, turning our simple piano version into a lush, synth-pop ballad. The song ended up capturing everything I wanted, the feeling of both love and loss.
At its core, “Lenox Hill” is a love song about a relationship, from the thrill of meeting someone to the heartbreak of losing them.
Working with both Michael Kooman and Michael Carey helped bring that emotional journey to life in the final track.
What inspires your music and songwriting?
My music and songwriting are inspired by raw moments of emotion and everyday thoughts. It often begins with a simple spark, like a phrase or a word that won’t leave my mind; or sometimes it’s a more personal expression, almost like journaling my feelings.
These initial ideas serve as the foundation, and I usually start building the song on my own. But the real spark comes when I share the song with musicians I trust. Their unique contributions, whether it’s a new twist on lyrics or an unexpected instrument, transform the song into something more dynamic.
I love the freedom of collaboration, where everyone’s creativity shapes the song into something alive and full of energy. That process of bringing a song to life with others is what truly fuels my inspiration.
What do your plans for the future include?
My plans for the future revolve around continuing to grow and express myself through music.
Over the past year and a half, I dedicated a lot of time to writing and recording songs, carefully deciding which ones to produce with live instrumentation. I also explored creative ideas for music videos, aiming to bring my vision to life in unique ways.
Writing songs is such a big passion of mine, and I often find it hard to focus on the other aspects of music production, like promoting and releasing music, because I’m so absorbed in the creative process.
I tend to make last-minute decisions, as that’s just how my mind works, so I never quite know what direction I’ll take next. But I do know that live performances are a huge part of my future.
I’m eager to share my music with audiences and to experiment more in the studio. Collaboration is something I also truly
enjoy, and I want to work with more talented artists and producers in the future. There’s so much to explore in the music world.
Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?
A defining moment in my career came when my friend Michael Kooman said to me, “This is a really good song; someone should record it,” about a song we were working on.
It was then that it truly hit me that I had to record it myself. The song felt so personal to me that I couldn’t imagine anyone else singing those words.
At that point, we had been writing together for a while, and I had been writing since I was a kid. But it was around this time that I started collaborating more with other musicians, songwriters, producers, and creative people.
That moment was pivotal for me. It made me realize that my music was about more than just songwriting. In the months that followed, the challenges I faced in my personal life began to influence my lyrics.
I noticed I was writing more than ever before, which led me to reach out to other songwriters to help finish some of the songs that had become too emotional for me to revisit.
They weren’t quite finished, but I couldn’t look at them again on my own. It was through this process that I grew as a songwriter and artist.
What is your advice for young and aspiring artists?
My advice for young and aspiring artists is to focus on the joy of creating, rather than worrying too much about the end result. When I started, I never imagined I’d be recording or releasing music.
Writing songs, whether alone or with collaborators, brought me so much happiness that I was content with just my demos. However, as you continue to create, the natural next step is to share your work with others.
Embrace the collaborative process — working with other musicians has brought me a lot of fulfillment.
Also, don’t forget to enjoy live music, as it can deepen your appreciation for your own craft. Lastly, remember that art, especially music, has the power to help and heal, just as it’s helped me. If your work touches others, you’ve already succeeded, regardless of where it leads.
What does the word success mean to you?
To me, success is about growth, authenticity, and connection. It’s not just about achieving milestones but about evolving both as a person and as an artist.
Success means having the courage to share my music with the world in a way that feels true to who I am. It’s about telling real, raw stories through my songs and knowing that they resonate with others.
Success is creating music that not only reflects our own journeys but that also speaks to the hearts and experiences of other people. Ultimately, it’s about building genuine connections through my art and continuing to grow and evolve along the way.
What would you like to tell our readers about your new music?
I’d say the thing that makes my music stand out is the way it blends all these different influences. It’s a mix of rock and pop, but what really makes it feel unique is the focus on songwriting and production. I can’t say there’s just one influence, because I pull from so many genres.
Bands like Oasis and The All-American Rejects have always been a big inspiration for me, but I’ve got a huge love for ‘90s pop too, and you’ll definitely hear that in my sound.
Then, there are days when I’ll be all about country, like listening to Kenny Chesney, or R&B like Toni Braxton.
Honestly, I’m just a huge fan of all kinds of music. Whether it’s the raw energy of an electric guitar, like in my song “The City,” or some of the more pop-driven tracks, I’m at my core, just a ’90s pop kid.
“Lenox Hill” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
To learn more about rising artist Alwyn Morrison, follow him on Instagram.
