Hailing from the four-time BCMA Band of the Year Award-winning group Morganway, lead singer SJ Mortimer’s new solo work invites listeners to take front row seats to a newfound fearlessness demonstrated through confident tracks, including her upcoming single, “Don’t Underestimate Me,” set to release July 31st.
Her new music centers the forging of one’s own path in defiance of what others have to say about it, reclaiming these criticisms with tongue-in-cheek single titles like “Late Bloomer” and a UK solo tour of the same name.
Now flying solo for the first time after an eight-year-long, four-album stint with Morganway, Mortimer’s independent work acts as a peek into her personal journey to self-discovery and overcoming doubt. Supported by a strong foundation of years of musical experience and a commanding voice, her new work establishes itself as unequivocally faithful to her and her own lived experience.
Mortimer discusses this and much more in our latest interview feature.
After years as the lead singer of Morganway, what made now the right time to step forward with a solo project?
Morganway has been a band for eight years now, and we’ve been touring and releasing music every one of those years, which has been an intense roller coaster journey of highs and lows, but has also been very rewarding.
I last released solo music 10 years ago, and I always knew I wanted to do more, I was just waiting for the right time, and I’ve learned so much as an independent artist on this journey so far. These new songs are very personal to me — some are fresh and new, and others are over 10 years in the making. I finally decided (and got the bravery) to explore a new chapter and bring these new songs to the surface, and I’m so glad I did. And I’m getting to work with wonderful people and finding a whole new depth to my voice and songwriting.
Your latest single, “Late Bloomer,” feels like a deeply personal track. Was there a specific moment in your life that inspired the song?
“Late Bloomer” is such a new song, and one that I wrote just before flying to Nashville to record the (unexpected!) album. I have always felt behind and put so much pressure on myself with everything I do, and I suddenly realized recently that taking my time with life is ok and that everyone has their own journey and timeline — some of us just need more time to figure things out.
It’s taken me a while to get to this point of releasing solo music again, so I guess that makes me a “late bloomer,” but I’m happy with that tag. I’ve accepted it and feel at peace knowing it.
You recorded this single (and your upcoming album) in Muscle Shoals with producer Sol Philcox Littlefield. What was it about that environment that helped bring this new music to life?
It felt like such a full circle moment to record with Sol again. He produced my first album 10 years ago in Nashville, and to go back now after the different musical journeys we’ve both had to record the next was just the best time. Sol is such a talent. It’s incredible where he is now and how fast he works. I would bring an acoustic demo (or even voice note) of a song to the studio, he would write out the chart in one listen, then straight away we’d be recording it. He played every instrument on this album bar the keys — some in just one take.
Muscle Shoals is also one of the coolest places ever. Such a relaxed vibe and the people are so lovely and welcoming. I was there for two weeks in March, writing sessions during the week with incredible Nashville writers, then I drove to Muscle Shoals at the weekend to record with Sol. I pushed myself more than ever, and never felt more inspired by the people I was working with. Some of the songs I co-wrote out there we recorded just a day later with Sol. It was such a rush.
Fans who know your work with Morganway may be hearing a different side of you on these songs. What do you hope surprises them most about your solo music?
It’s quite a terrifying prospect and something I worry about pretty much all the time! I hope they can hear a different more personal side to me with this music. It’s very different to Morganway and I reached into the depths of my soul to get it out haha. In Morganway we are all about being in a band, sharing all the highs and lows as a unit, creating together and performing with all our hearts live. We’re a strong foundation now and I love being a cog in the Morganway machine and working with them, it’s like being in a marriage, we always work at it but it’s pretty beautiful when it works! We’ve been playing together so long that we can communicate with a single look which is strangely wonderful, and getting to sing my heart out in Morganway is one of my favourite things.
This solo journey is not replacing it in any way, but it’s something I needed to do to grow and find myself. It hasn’t been an easy or painless journey to do it, but I really am proud of it, and I have no shame in saying that. The music industry is a hard rockfall at times but I think believing in yourself, sticking to your vision and trusting your gut is so important.
“Late Bloomer” is the first release in a larger story that unfolds over the coming months. What does this song reveal about the journey listeners are about to take with you into the new album?
I’m excited to find out myself to be honest! I love how songs start so personal in the writing process, but when they come out they become something completely different to someone else. Connecting with people and finding like-minded souls through music is what it’s all about, and I can’t wait to see where this journey goes and meet whoever joins in for the ride.
Brandi Carlile and Alanis Morissette are artists whose influence can be felt in your music. What lessons have you taken from them as you build your own solo career?
I just adore these women. They break the mould, they follow their hearts, and sing the truth. Their voices are just so powerful and soulful and they will forever inspire me and so many with what they do. I’m buzzing that I will get to see both Alanis & Brandi live this year – I will most definitely melt into a pile of emotion and happy tears… and will then need some days off to recover after both shows!
What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Hopefully people can hear the honesty and self acceptance of just being yourself, and not trying to compare yourself to anyone else, especially in a digital world where all we see are people’s achievements. It’s for anyone who was called the “daydreamer” at school, and for the late bloomers who are just figuring things out one step at a time, with kindness and self trust things are going to be ok.
