Out March 31st on Morrow’s own Big Kitty Records; International Tour Dates Announced, US Dates to Come; Watch the hilarious music video for “Only Nice When I’m High” today.
In the short few years since Lauren Morrowbranched out from her more-than-a-decade-long role as the frontwoman of The Whiskey Gentry, her solo career has taken her above and beyond what was ever imagined—from being listed “Best of” in the pages of Rolling Stone and Garden & Gun to performing on television sets nationwide on PBS. And surprisingly, Morrow has done it all without ever putting out a full-length album. That is, until now. March 31st will see the release of People Talk, a collection of ten songs that Morrow says “truly reflect who I am as a person and the sounds I’ve been waiting to explore for my entire career.” Produced by Parker Cason and mixed by Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Phish) and Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, Shania Twain), People Talk finds Morrow exploring her beyond-country influences like 90s Alternative, Britpop, and 80s New Wave bands with moody, brutally honest lyrical content and rock n roll attitudes; all with Morrow’s signature soprano and vulnerable vibrato and a host of atypically-Americana vibes and tones. The end result is a patiently cultivated and refined sound not unfamiliar to fans, but a pure expression of everything Morrow is made of—not just what we’ve seen so far.
Today, Morrow shared the first single from People Talk, “Only Nice When I’m High,” and its accompanying music video which features Morrow and her on-screen pal, a living, breathing, three-foot-tall joint—ok, it’s a puppet, but it’s adorable. “A few years ago, my husband Jason and I smoked a little joint before we went Christmas shopping,” Morrow says about the impetus of the tune. “While we were walking through shops and chatting about things, he turned to me and said ‘you’re a lot nicer when you’re high.’ He isn’t wrong.” But she doesn’t want listeners to get the wrong impression. “I’m not a huge stoner or anything, but a little toke here and there helps me navigate my life and be the person I know I am inside when my anxiety isn’t trying to derail me,” she says. “The song is a very intimate look inside my brain, my thoughts about myself, and how I fit in the world around me.” Yesterday, Holler. premiered “Only Nice When I’m High,” writing, “With its refreshingly light-hearted approach to mental health and witty wordplay, it’s reminiscent of Pageant Material era Kacey but with an added indie twist of Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette. It’s an intoxicating concoction that gives her undeniably country sound a juicy little kick that’s so often missing in mainstream country pop. It might be the start of a Geek Country revolution.”
Fans can watch the “Only Nice When I’m High” video today at this link, stream here, and go ahead and pre-order or pre-save right here ahead of People Talk March 31st release on Big Kitty Records—Morrow’s own record label, along with her husband and business/creative partner, Jason Morrow.
People Talk Tracklist:
1. I’m Sorry
3. People Talk
4. It’s You
5. Looking For Trouble
6. Nobody But Me
7. Hustle
8. Family Tree
9. Leona
10. Birthday
More About People Talk:
When it came time to write the songs for her first full-length record, Morrow knew she had to find those around her who could pull her out of the Americana rut and inspire her to tap into parts unknown. After moving to Nashville in 2017, both Lauren and Jason Morrow found the community they so desperately wanted, including a mental/songwriting guru in producer Parker Cason. “It was the best decision we’ve made. We decided in July 2017 to move and we sold our house, packed our bags, and moved here less than two months later. We met Parker almost immediately, and it felt so kindred to me. I’d finally found someone who understood all of my influences and could really see the vision beyond what I’d done in my prior career.” They began writing and recording the songs for People Talk in 2019. Morrow found herself finally writing the songs she always knew were within her, and together they created a soundscape that reflects her eclectic well of influences and songwriting growth since moving to Nashville. “I used to write stories—made up things about others I’d imagined in my head—but this record is all true to me,” she says. “There’s not a single lyric that hasn’t happened to me in some shape or form, and I think it’s taken me to this point in my life to be able to articulate it and confidently stand behind the vulnerability of it all, which isn’t easy for me. I didn’t want to be defined anymore by my past musical experiences or feel like I was ‘enough,’ because my past bands didn’t quite ‘make it.’ In my head, I was thinking, ‘Geez, she’s in her 30s and releasing a debut record? Shouldn’t she hang it up already? Her time is running out.’ But in reality, I had to silence that negative voice and let myself show through these songs, and it’s taken all of this time and these experiences to really shape who I am as a human. I feel like I’m just now figuring that out, and now I finally have something to say.”
Catch Lauren Morrow On Tour:
March 31 – Nashville, TN – The Basement (Get Happier Fridays)
Apr 18 – Uppsala, Sweden – Katalin
Apr 19 – Mariefred, Sweden – Gripsholms Vardshus
Apr 20 – Tranas, Sweden – Plan B
Apr 21 – Falkenberg, Sweden – Tryckhallen
Apr 22 – Kristianstad, Sweden – Kulturkvarteret
Apr 23 – Hyltebruk, Sweden – Forum
Apr 25 – Hultsfred, Sweden – Hotel Hulingen
Apr 26 – Oslo, Norway – Krosset
Apr 27 – Trodheim, Norway – Moskus
Apr 28 – Ringbu, Norway – Amemoen Gard
Apr 29 – Ljusdal, Sweden – Roda Kvam
Apr 30 – Stockholm, Sweden – Twang
May 3 – Norrtajle, Sweden – Imperial
May 4 – Ostersund, Sweden – Captain Cook
May 5 – Pitea, Sweden – Studio Acusticum
May 6 – Sundsvall, Sweden – Q-Bar
More About Lauren Morrow:
People Talk is the album Lauren Morrow was born to create. The Nashville-based, Atlanta-raised singer-songwriter has spent the better part of the last fifteen years cultivating her sound, pouring in a variety of influences, and honing her live show until the sound felt unabashedly her own. After spending more than a decade as the frontwoman of popular Americana band The Whiskey Gentry, Lauren stepped out with a 2018 self-titled debut EP and received widespread acclaim. She landed on many Best Of year-end lists from Rolling Stoneto Garden & Gun, filmed an episode for PBS’ “Bluegrass Underground” and toured the US playing festivals such as Pickathon and Bristol Rhythm & Roots. Mixed by Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Phish) and Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, Shania Twain), Morrow’s new album, People Talk, showcases her flawless vocals and intricate songwriting, but also her willingness to take risks—an edge that makes her stand out from the Nashville norm. Whether she’s singing an alternative/indie rock banger or a traditional lovesick ballad, she leaves a unique impression that lingers and is unlike anything you’ve heard before.
People Talk is set to release March 31st on Big Kitty Records.