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An Interview with Kailee Morgue

by Brian Andersen

Kailee Morgue, singer, songwriter and self-proclaimed music making pixie, made some time between collaborations, photoshoots, and releasing a new album to chat with us about her creative process, the state of the music industry, and how to find the silver lining amidst all the bullshit! This thoughtful artist is someone to definitely keep on your radar, especially if you like your pop music with a little alternative flavor. Without further ado, this is how it went:

First off, I’d like to ask about your creative process: Do you have any unique practices, rituals, or habits to get yourself into a creative state or maybe to help you overcome writer’s block?

I'm not sure how other artists write when it comes to pulling inspiration from things that aren't their actual life. But more recently, I've been super into reading; just way too much, honestly. (No such thing!) And I've read like, 40 books this year so far. So I'm super into escapism, and I find it really helps me with writer's block to put myself in the shoes of a character or watching a movie that I find super inspiring. I've written songs, too, where I usually find how I fit my own story into the characters. And it's really helped me with writer's block. But other than that it's just random, like a thought I'll have in the shower, or I'll just be driving and I'll put it in my voice notes or something. It's usually like that if it's kind of just in my everyday life.

Jumping off of that, what are some of those books you’ve been enjoying?

I read a lot of different stuff because I really like philosophy and psychology. So I started trying to get back into reading with that stuff because I was just genuinely interested. So I read this book. It must be from the 60s. It was called The Ability to Love, and it was about the psychology behind love and relationships, and it was just so interesting. Also, reading something from 50, 60 years ago and just seeing how much the dating scene and the nuclear family has changed. It's completely different. It was just kind of interesting because it was so dated, but a lot of the core teachings and practices were still similar to how we all feel now. So yeah, I read that. Sometimes I just will have my little coming of age guilty pleasures and stuff. I have this song that's actually one of my next singles, and it's completely inspired by Bridget Jones Diary, and that's actually a movie. And when I tell people about that book, they're like, oh, I love those movies. But I've never seen them, I’ve just read the books. But those books, they had me in a chokehold, and I read all four of them in, like, a week and wrote this song about it and really found where I relate to her character in my life. And it was just the first time that I actually wrote something completely based on the book and was like, wow, this is such a fun way of getting back into writing where I don't feel like I have to run laps in my mind or what is happening to me that I want to talk about.

Your inspiration for Loser comes from your dad’s opinion on your taste in men as well as a fear of failure. You kind of flip the script and embrace yourself despite these factors. What kind of advice do you have for someone that might be growing into similar shoes?

That song is about my biological dad and how he felt about that stuff. And it's so interesting because my stepdad is like the complete opposite and he gave me the best advice. He's actually a therapist, so it really comes in handy when asking for advice and stuff. But he gave me the best advice the other day. He said, and I'm not going to say it as eloquently as he did, but he said:

“There are certain things that you know about yourself or you should know about yourself beyond any doubt. And those things should be like, truths about you that you know. And when you find what those things are and you stick to them and you believe in those things, then everything around you that doesn't apply or doesn't serve you, or people that say certain things that try to affect what you believe about yourself, it won't touch you and it won't affect you because you know the truth about who you are.”

So I think my advice would be like, find out who you are and absolutely believe in that person because I literally just started doing that this year and really going on that journey, just who am I and how do I not let anything shake me? And that's been the biggest part of healing through being so affected by what people think of me, I guess.

You’ve been collaborating and spending time with some great artists lately. Are there any recent memories from your time collaborating that stick out as particularly worth sharing with us?

I had the best day ever doing this. I co-wrote a song. There's like a few different people involved, but my best friend, her name is Cray and she's a DJ, but now she's an artist and her boyfriend is also really popular in the EDM scene. So they invited me over to write a song for his album with Cray and also Dwayne, which is like, he's popping off in the alternative scene. So I was like, oh, this is going to be really fun. And that day was just so, it was awesome. We were in this studio in Malibu that overlooks the beach. It was beautiful. We got food, and the song, it's actually out already. It's called, like, Love Me, Hate Me. And it's so energetic. We were all just screaming into the mic. We were doing gangs together and just yelling into the mic, and it was just the most cathartic experience. And it really solidified to me why I want to continue getting into writing with other artists, because it's just so nice. Also, for a little boost of inspiration with writer's blocks is to just not even worry about what I want because it's for these other people to have their own cathartic experience with it. So it’s really fun.

I’m more of a visual artist myself, but I do dabble with music myself. When you work with other artists, you learn a lot from them as well.

Oh, yeah. You definitely get to step out of your comfort zone if you want to. Some people like working with people that are similar to what their taste is, but I've been trying to just dip my toes into other music that I would never have thought venture in myself, because I've worked so far with people that have insane voices or just different types of music that I don't think I'm personally capable of, or it's not my style. So it's been so fun to be able to dabble in those different areas.

And some of the most exciting music that comes out is unexpected. Like how do you describe this song? I don’t know, it’s like funky, EDM, bluesy, southern rock.

Oh yeah, right now more than ever, there's just no bounds to music and, like, genres, and it's just hard to pin down anything. I think things that are popping off or that go viral or things that are on the radio, sometimes you're like, “how does this even get on the radio?” But it's just because everyone's looking for super innovative pop music, and alternative music. Like, everybody's just going above and beyond with music right now, which is awesome.

Wanna play a quick game of This or That? Where I name two things and you tell me your preference?

Sure!

Sweet or Spicy?

Sweet. I don't know why I hate that I'm one of those white people, but I hate spicy food. So much. Yeah. I don't know why. It's just like it feels painful. And I talked to somebody about this recently. Everyone loves spicy food. Everyone I know is like “What is wrong with you?” And this one girl was like, “No, it's painful.” And I was like, “You get me.” I don't know why. I just hate spicy food.

Retro or Futuristic?

Retro. Personally, I think a lot of people are like, there's this whole wave of people that are so good at knowing what is going to be innovative and knowing what's ahead of us. And I'm just one of those people that wants to reference the 70s, the 60s, or the 90s because it was just such a cool time, I think. And there's something, I always want to crack certain artists. I've grown up listening to the Beatles, and I love the Beatles. But when I love artists like that, I want to understand what made it work and why it's so massive on the scale that it is. And so I just kind of really go into all my favorite bands and diving into what it was like when they were at their peak and what it must have felt like in the 70s to listen to certain artists that were brand new. So I'm definitely more into the retro.

Too Hot or Too Cold?

Too cold. And that is because I'm from Arizona, so I'm tired of it. I haven’t even gone outside today. You’ve got to get dogs like their little boots and stuff because it's just terrible here. But the sunset’s pretty.

Wild Night Out or Quiet Night In?

Quiet night in, like 100%. I think I'm like the most homebody. I think I know a couple of people that are as homebody as me, but I actually think if no one dragged me out of my house, I would just be here forever. And like I said, I like reading. Almost everything that I really enjoy are pretty low key, just my hobbies and stuff. I like to be alone, I like to be quiet. I don't like loud music, which is funny because I'm an artist, but I don't like all of that.

Wake Up Early or Stay Up Late?

If you asked me this in the beginning of covid or even like just the height of me being creative, I'd probably say stay up late. But for my mental health, I've been getting up at like 09:00 a.m. For six months now. And it's really changed everything because I kind of get to set the tone for the day. So now I think just for being healthy and happy and trying to wake up, just feeling normal, waking up early is great.

Analog or Digital?

For me, I would say digital now, which is so contradictory for what I just said about being retro. But I think it's a fine line because I love where technology is going and so I'm like, “Cool. If anything can be easier, give it to me.”

“Car-mul” or “Care-a-mel?”

“Car-mul.” Well, my family is from Chicago, so I don't know if that has anything to do with that. Because my family, I feel like they say certain things weirdly. I'm sure. You know, like everyone's like we say “pop.” My mom was just saying, like, “coo-pon” or “que-pon.” I say “coo-pon.” Or like “roooof” or “ruhff”. I say “ruhff” and I get shit for it all the time. So there's just random stuff like that, but I have no idea if it's from my family or not.

And finally, this actually a this or that or that. Wings: traditional, boneless, or meat alternative?

I prefer boneless. I was vegetarian for a while and I hate to say it, but I just got so bored during the pandemic. I was like, “I really want some chicken.” There's nothing to eat. Even once I did start eating meat again too, I was still bored, so it was just really hard to commit to it. But yeah, I usually go the boneless route, so it's a little less messy, too. I love the meat alternatives too, but if I'm trying to eat some wings, like for real, I have to have the chicken.

In another interview, you said that Loser was written when you had intentions of working on a pop punk project that was shut down by your previous label from a fear of genre blending. Given the current state in music where nothing is sacred and genre blending has become a norm, do you think you’ll be revisiting more of those ideas with Thriller Records?

I don't know if I'll be revisiting. Well, technically it's yes and no, because I'm revisiting it where this album that I've been working on for probably less than a year, but it'll be coming out soon, it's like partially pop punk, partially pop, partially alt pop. It's kind of all over the map. Because I think if you asked me again, like, a while ago, I probably would have still wanted to pursue pop punk. But I think since it's being done into the ground right now, I just want to be able to show people my flexibility as an artist more than anything. So even when I was working on that pop punk project, I fully intended to do a little EP or something like that, but then follow it with a pop EP or something. Because I never like being put into a box. And that's what I love about Thriller, too, because they want a little bit of everything too. When I turned in this album and we're looking at all the songs, it was definitely like, we need more songs like this. There's kind of like a few different I would say like three different specific sounds that are touched on. And we just wanted to make sure that it shows my versatility. And also just like who I am. Because I don't think if I did a full pop album, a full pop punk album, I'm not sure that that would translate what I like and who I am versus just doing everything that I like.

The internet is full of people spouting opinions no one asked to hear. You recently tweeted a reply mocking someone’s short-sighted and archaic view on the state of the music industry. How would the music industry change if it was “run” by Kailee Morgue?

That's such a good question. Well, first of all, I would never run the music industry. I feel like I would just, because this is what I do as an artist, I try to understand. I just was saying earlier with everything I listen to; if I hear a song that I don't like, I still know in my head there's something that draws people to this and maybe I don't get it yet, but I know if I tried to know the context or know what the artist is into or this or that, I would understand it. So I think if everybody just looked at music kind of like how they do with movies, where sometimes movies suck, but I think 90% of the time there's an audience for almost everything. And if you don't like it, it's not because it's bad, it's just because you don't understand it. And like I said, there is shitty music, there are shitty movies, but people that are passionate about it and are trying to present something to an audience, there are people that get it. You just have to figure out what it is. So I think if everyone approached music like that, more open minded. Which I think everyone thinks they're open minded with music, but they're really not. Everyone's like, “oh, well, this I like. This and this but I hate country music.” I'm like, “Dude, no, country music is so good. You just have to understand it.” I'm still fighting everyone on that more recently because I just figured out country music. But yeah, I think if everyone was a little more open minded, it would just make music more interesting.

You’ve given away handwritten lyric sheets, and signed polaroids. You release demos that don’t make the album cut list. It’s clear that you really enjoy engaging with your fans in meaningful ways. You even gave away some shirts and signed posters with the release of Trainwreck. Do you have any opportunities to connect, either in the works or plans for the somewhat distant future, that your fans should be looking forward to?

I can't remember the first song that I started doing The Giveaways with, but initially I feel like fans don't really have many opportunities to connect with the artist like that. I'm seeing people do them all the time now, the Giveaways and the little incentive to do Pre-save or to listen to the song. But I hadn't seen it when I started doing that and I just wanted to like yeah, I wanted them to feel like there's a reason to keep up with artists outside of just the music because I think it builds a relationship. And now, because even outside of physical things like Polaroids and T shirts and all that stuff, I give my fans so many opportunities to just message me and I'll message them back or like I'll repost what they post because I want them to feel like they're part of something, I guess, because they are. I mean, it's totally cliche, but they're just as important as I am as far as my career. What I offer to them is just as important as what they're giving to me by being a fan and listening and engaging.So it's just like, I guess a more personal way of trying to connect with them. Because I think being a fan is so interesting because you feel like sometimes if you're a super fan, like, you know this person and who they are and what they think about, but they know nothing about you. I just wanted them to all feel like, oh, I see you. And here's just giving these opportunities for every release and that's what we're doing. So the upcoming singles and with the album release, we're going to be doing giveaways and lots of opportunities to engage and have a chance to be part of it. So, I mean, there's probably at least like three or four coming up in just the next two months.

Anything you’re personally excited about?

I'm honestly excited for all of them because with each single that comes out. Like. There's certain ones where we have props that were used that I'm going to be giving away and that type of stuff that’s just so one of a kind. Because I do love the Polaroids and the shirts. But the props and stuff. I think personally I’m a collector and I love having so much random stuff in my apartment. But I know as a fan, because I love Gwen Stefani, for example, and if she gave away something that was in one of her classic music videos, I would cry and message her every day trying to get it, you know what I mean? So I'm just like a huge collector and I think that those types of opportunities are fun. And obviously when the album comes out, I'm going to be doing my first physical release with vinyls and maybe CDs and stuff so that I'm super excited about.

According to twitter, it seems you’ve been in a bit of an emotional rut lately. No doubt partially due to the social and political climate of the United States. Despite how shitty things are going for A LOT of people right now, what are some things going on in the world that have been making you smile?

Oh, that's cute. I thought you were going to say that’s making me sad. I was like, oh, my God. I honestly think right now this is kind of one of those things where it's like sad and happy at the same time. I think what's happening with women and people with uteruses, because that's not exclusive to women. But I think that it's literally the most defeating feeling in the world. And because of that, I just feel like I'm seeing this strength coming through in people and women and anybody that cares about these issues and what's going on in the world with queer people, with people of color. There's just this strength that's coming with this generation of just being so fed up. And there's like this sense of togetherness, I think that makes me really happy. Obviously, outside of all that, we're getting amazing art lately. Like, I feel like music and movies, it's just so interesting what's happening because we all have so much to say. I'm seeing so many people just projecting positivity and just so much comfort to people because of how dark everything feels right now. And that makes me so happy to see everyone, like, making an effort to just spread positivity or just go outside and just kind of feel it. I don't know, because I feel like people are getting really into escapism and everything too, and just like, going on trips and doing work just to find the happiness right now and the light. That's why I came home. I came to Phoenix for two weeks because I was like, I can't deal with everything that's happening right now and there's nothing wrong with that. That just makes me happy because I'm seeing so many people also participate in just making the best of what their life is right now. And that's so encouraging as somebody that feels that way too. It's unfortunate, but it's like, happy at the same. I'm glad that we're together.

And finally, before we part, is there anything that you want the world to know about Kailee Morgue?

Anybody that gets this far, shout out to you. You're amazing. And going off of what I just said, we're all trying to make the most of what's happening right now, and I guess less about me and more about you. I hope you're doing okay and that you're also trying to find the silver lining of everything, because it's worth finding. And also, yeah. I have some songs coming out soon, but I'm just trying to contribute my art to the world too, and if you like it or want to engage with it, feel free, and if not, that's okay too. But I'm just like, doing my thing, trying to emote all of these crazy emotions so that everyone feels like they have somebody to relate to.

And that’s it, folks! The brilliant, inspiring, creative force to be reckoned with: Kailee Morgue! If she wasn’t on your radar before, she certainly should be now. Keep an eye out for her album, but in the mean time check out recent single, STFU available on all streaming platforms.

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