morgen on her Debut EP, 'Unaccompanied Minor'
morgen’s debut EP, Unaccompanied Minor is equally as raw and real as it is catchy. The project is a collection of songs the artist wrote over the past two years. From upbeat track “Odd One Out” to slower and softer “Savor,” morgen’s Debut EP captures all the emotions associated with growing up. Twenty Minutes Later got the chance to ask morgen a few questions about the project via email. Read our interview below.
WHAT WERE YOU READING/WATCHING/LISTENING TO WHILE MAKING THE EP?
I was watching so many Criminal Minds episodes and crime docs lol. Idk why. I was also listening to a LOT of Remi Wolf and Nick Leng, a weird combination but it was fun :)
WHAT SONG WAS THE EASIEST FOR YOU TO WRITE?
“Odd One Out” for sure. I wrote that song so fast it was insane.
WHAT SONG WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT TO WRITE?
“Fine By Me” was difficult because for a while I couldn’t come up with a concept. I had a melody but no words for the longest time. I don’t even know when or how I landed on the lyrics I have now, but it took FOREVER.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE TITLE OF THE EP, ‘Unaccompanied Minor?’
It just sums up my current existence in literally every way. I had this experience where my mom paid extra for me to have like the 4-year-old treatment the first time I flew alone, which meant I got a flight attendant with me the WHOLE time and they wouldn’t let me leave the airport until my manager picked me up at the gate. It was crazy. Anyway, I had to wear this tag the whole time that read “UMNR” which stands for unaccompanied minor, and I guess it just hit me. Like, genuinely I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m getting thrown into this world and our society at full speed and I’m still such a child in so many ways, but I also want to be treated and respected like an adult. Ahhh—it’s a lot.
DID YOU MAKE THESE SONGS WITH THE IDEA THAT THEY WOULD TURN INTO A BIGGER PROJECT? HOW MANY SONGS DID YOU WRITE BEFORE LANDING ON THE 6 TRACKS THAT MAKE UP “Unaccompanied Minor’?
Not necessarily. I mean, I was just kind of making music for the past two years and then had an opportunity to release an EP, so I compiled my favorite songs and bada bing bada boom baby. As far as how many songs I wrote, I have no idea…so many. I write almost every day, so hundreds of songs.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE WRITING AND RECORDING PROCESS?
All of it. I genuinely love making music. Sure, there are times when I don’t want to record something because I’m feeling lazy, but I really do love all of it. I think if I had to choose my favorite part of the process, I’d have to say either just writing the song or recording harmonies...love, love, love, those so much.
ANY FUNNY STORIES FROM THE MAKING OF ‘Unaccompanied Minor’?
Yikes, well, the first thing that pops into my head was when I was writing “Fine By Me”. I remember getting a call from a guy I wrote another song on the EP about, asking me to make up for 6 months of ghosting me with a smoothie from the local smoothie shop he worked at. Bro, he wouldn’t even pay full price for a smoothie that he thought would mend a 6-month period of silence. Low. But I def took the smoothie. Free food/drink is always a win in my book.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST THING YOU’VE LEARNED FROM THE EP PROCESS?
To trust myself more. And that my opinions are valid. I grew so much over the course of the EP. Being alone and having music to support me helped process years of trying to fit in and people-please—not that I’m past trying to fit in and people-please, but I’m working on it.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LYRIC FROM THE PROJECT?
Currently really loving the lyric “I don't wanna miss it, cliche teenage wishlists and first kisses- But would that even happen? No.” It just shows the effect that Hollywood and media have on people my age and how it inflicts this idea that we have to have this really crazy-exciting-romantic teenage life, when that’s (personally) not what happens.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT NOW THAT ‘Unaccompanied Minor’ IS OUT?
To start releasing more music honestly. This was such an important part of my project and now I feel like it’s opened a lot of doors for me to start releasing more and more music :)
ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING YOU CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF THE EP?
YES! I’m having a partyyyyyy! I’m super stoked.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE LISTENERS TAKE AWAY FROM THE PROJECT?
Just a sense of relatability, or maybe a tad bit less alone? I think that’d be dope.
YOU CAN LISTEN TO Unaccompanied Minor ON STREAMING SERVICES LIKE SPOTIFY AND APPLE MUSIC. GO STREAM AND MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW @twentyminuteslater TO STAY UPDATED ON FUTURE POSTS.
