Christen Morrell Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! You all streamed Christen Morrell's recent single, and are eagerly awating her upcoming EP, right? Now's your chance to learn a little bit more about this incredible artist as we talk about the EP, her goals, and more!

So, let's see what happens when Christen Morrell visits Section 36 Music!

I am incredibly excited about your EP, “Grow as You Go”. What can you tell me about it?
The ‘grow as you go’ EP is a six-song collection that takes listeners on a journey of the four stages of healing: shock, grief, acceptance, and growth. Written about a really difficult chapter of my life, it is raw and honest, and most of all– hopeful. For the story to unfold, this EP is meant to be listened to from start to finish. The beginning of the EP starts with darker lyrics and electronic sounds with ‘Time Bomb,’ and moves through stages of grief and fear of speaking up with the viral hit, ‘If I did,’ to navigating acceptance through what frustration and strength sounds like with ‘The Body Keeps Score’ and ‘Even If Your Voice Shakes;’ ending with the title track ‘Grow As You Go’ which uniquely integrates hooks from all 5 songs of entire EP to encompass and honor each stage of healing. Within this EP, I wanted to express through music how healing is not linear, it’s an unpredictable ocean of feelings and memories that hit in waves.  I also wanted to create a sonic safe space for listeners who have had similar experiences, to feel seen, known, and hopeful. What started out as a way for me to heal, turned into the most beautiful butterfly effect of helping others do the same; which is exactly what I had hoped for with this project.    

What was your favorite part of the recording process?
I started writing and producing this project while in my last year at Berklee College of Music in Boston.  Most of this time was spent in piano practice rooms and recording in my tiny bedroom studio. It was the first time that I gave myself permission to write about these things, and to be completely honest through music about how I was struggling. It took me a really long time to build up the courage to start sharing even just pieces of this music with my friends and collaborators. In a school project I was paired up with my now very good friend and co-producer, Palash Deshpande. After working together on a few class projects, we realized that we had a really great work-flow together and he was actually the first person I ever showed the viral song, ‘If I did,’ to.  After he heard the track, he assured me of the importance of a song like this in the world and with his help and encouragement we finished the track together.  
After moving to LA in 2022, I was lucky to be connected with some new friends who would play a huge role in finishing this EP: Chengcheng Tang, Maria Landi, Anderson Rocio, and Katie Donnelly. Not only were these friends/co-producers/co-writers so important for the project, but they are also the most genuine and sweetest humans I was blessed to meet. They continued to encourage and support me throughout the process of slowly finishing, and eventually sharing publicly this music. Long story short, those are my favorite parts of the recording/creation process. The people I’ve met and the friendships made throughout this project have been one of the things I’m most grateful for. I truly could not have done it without them. 

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

I am so stoked about female artists taking over the music industry right now. I mean how can I not mention Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift… I would say apart from those artists my consistent music influences for my own sound has been Maggie Rogers, Chelsea Cutler, Vera Blue, and Griff.  

What do you enjoy most about performing on stage in front of an audience?
Something I love about performing in front of an audience is connecting with the crowd.  It’s my absolute favorite thing how music can create community and bring people together. 

What are your immediate music goals?

Finishing this EP was a huge music goal of mine, and I’m so excited to finally be able to share it with the world! Next up, I would love to perform more, maybe join a tour or a few festivals– we’ll see! 

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That sounds like fun! I'm definitely excited about the EP!

As always, I want to thank Christen for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify  to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Christen, and good luck reaching your goals!