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1.) We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed singer and songwriter extraordinaire, Sarah Morris; greetings and salutations, Sarah! Before we meander down the proverbial Q&A music pathway, how goes your 2023 thus far?
My 2023 has been busy! I began the year by finishing the album, and now it’s all about getting “Here’s To You” out into the world! My kids are enjoying school, there have been a few family trips, I’ve gotten to sing a whole bunch – these are all pretty lovely things.
2.) Major congratulations on the upcoming May 5 release of your new album Here’s To You! What was the genesis of this remarkable album? How did it come into being?
This particular album was inspired by the title track – as soon as I finished writing it, I had an “a ha! Let’s make an album feeling”. There were two other songs that I knew belonged with this song – story wise, sonically – You and I, and You Are (Champagne on a Wednesday). To me they all had this sense of intimacy – of conversations that I might have with one specific person. Once I had that thought – the album dreaming began 🙂
3.) Here’s To You marks your fifth album release. How is the new album similar to some of your past music? How is it different?
It’s my 5th album of original material – there was a covers album in there, and a Holiday EP. I’m obsessed with lyrics – so I hope that a thread that might tie them all together is that there is an evident care for lyric writing. I am also a big fan of tiny details, and of domestic moments – finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. I bet that winds up in all the albums. Here’s To You was produced by Dave Mehling, and he is a master of layers and cool sounds and just-right textures. He brought elements of play to the arrangement that I am so thrilled with. In the past, I would enlist my many talented friends to sing harmonies on the album. This album has more vocal harmonies than any of my previous works, but I sing all of them – oof! It’s a whole lot of Sarah – lol!
4.) We’re tremendous admirers of the gem of a tune You Are (Champagne On A Wednesday). Is there a VH1-Behind the Music origin story you could share with our ever-inquisitive readers on how this gorgeous piece of music took root in your mind and ultimately materialized as the amazing song we hear on the new album?
I wrote this song first thinking about my best friend; then my mother. I had witnessed them each journey through periods of self-doubt and I had this desire to show them what I see them to be – effervescent, incandescent, brilliant sources of light. I pictured different scenes of celebration for each of them, and then as the song developed, the scope widened and I realized it applied to so many people I love, and maybe something I need to hear from time to time as well. I have a song I wrote for my daughter, Millie, back when she was 2 – it’s called ‘Brighter’ and this song feels like a grown-up version of that love song to me. Working with Dave Mehling, I knew he could bring a lot of play and pop and fizz to this track. When I finally heard the last chorus come together in mixing, I was overjoyed at how celebratory it felt. Champagne on a Wednesday? Why not!
5.) Who was your producer on Here’s To You and what did the collaboration between artist and producer look like in the studio?
Dave Mehling produced the record. He’s deeply talented, creative, smart, and was a joy to work with. Dave was really good friends with my bandmates prior to our session, so the rapport was easy and immediate. In our vocal sessions, he was incredibly encouraging – sometimes picking up on something I only kind of did and saying ‘yeah, try that!’. I enjoyed working with him so much.
6.) In your opinion, what differentiates Here’s To You from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music landscape?
Oh gosh! I don’t know how to answer this one – there is such an abundance of wonderful music out there, and I can’t think of it as competition. I think this is probably just the “Sarah Morris-est” thing out there 😄
7.) Can you introduce our readers to some of the other talented musicians that lent their musical alchemy into making Here’s To You a reality?
In addition to Dave, the players are my longtime bandmates Andrew Foreman, Lars-Erik Larson, and Thomas Nordlund. They have been such wonderful friends and collaborators to me over the years, and I could not be more grateful for their presence in my life. We recorded the bulk of the record with the fantastic Holly Hansen at Salon Sonics. She’s a rock star/singer-songwriter in addition to her work as an engineer, and recording with her was such a lovely experience. We also spent some time recording at River Rock Studios with Eric Blomquist – that studio is like my home, Eric is like family, and we spent my birthday recording two songs there and it was PERFECT. Jason McGlone did the bulk of the mixing over at The Hideaway, and it was so great to get to have his ears on the project. He and Dave are frequent collaborators, so I know there is a deep trust that exists there.
I also have to say the songwriting group that I belong to – there are too many wonderful humans over there to name, but that group keeps my pencil sharpened and put to page, so without them, without the inspiring songs that those folks write – these songs wouldn’t exist. Laurel Tomandl – the leader, and official prompt-giver-outer – she’s directly responsible for 7 of these songs happening!
8.) On the heels of the May 5 release of Here’s To You, can fans look forward to catching you on the touring/performing circuit?
I’m staying pretty close to home over the summer (but if you live in Minnesota – I’m all over the place!). I am headed down to just south of Austin, Texas, mid-May to take part in the Songwriter Serenade songwriting competition, but after that it is Minnesota singing until possibly late Fall or 2024. I’d love to tour a bit more broadly, a few times a year.
9.) Come Back is another jaw-dropping tune off of the Here’s To You album, and it was also chosen to lead the charge with a lush and simply beautiful music video. Did you have a big hand in the final look and feel of the Come Back music video?
Oh! The video that is out right now was just a quick live recording made by a talented videographer in a hotel basement at a music conference. 30 minutes from “Hello, where do I stand” to “Thank you so much!”. Charlie Steen made all the decisions on the look and the feel. There will be a separate music video coming for that song later this summer. It’s in production right now and I’m so excited about it!
10.) Who inspires you musically?
My bandmates! I have learned so much over the years working with Thomas Nordlund, Andrew Foreman, Lars-Erik Larson, and am continually inspired by the way they keep attending to their art. Of people I don’t know…I’m really really into Madison Cunningham right now. I fell in love with her recent album ‘Revealer’ and then got to go deep diving into her back catalog. Her melodies, guitar work, lyrical deftness – AHHH!
11.) At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving
many-a spin to the Here’s To You album?
I hope they walk away with the sense that they had a conversation with a friend – the kind where you feel maybe comforted, maybe a little more energized, seen, known, possibly even celebrated. And maybe they go crack open the good stuff (however they define it!) on a Wednesday! Why not!
