Jack Morgan

Sometimes it’s a case of more is less. Like a monastery library, this ep from Londoner Jack Morgan is a study of many different shapes of quietness. From pared-back Nick Drake balladry to the smoked wood rhythms of Fleet Foxes or Bat For Lashes, there’s no escaping the tractor beam of trance. Softly spoken spells that pull you into oblivion with a smile on your face.

And it’s a sound that belies Jack’s tender years. The undersung vocal accompanying the trickly acoustics of “No Strain” suggests the world-weariness of Cat Stevens. Along with closing number “White Wires”, this represents the more confessional side of the set. Gentle stripped-back guitars, spiraling rhythms, words that are probably quite meaningful, but are uttered too self-consciously to be properly audible. It’s a mixture that feels smoother than skiing over a lake of Bailey’s.

The bristles of guitar and shuffling intensity of “Event” make for the ep’s busiest moment. Don’t be mistaken, it still smothers your ears in atmospherics. But there’s a slight Snow Patrol feel that maybe edges it ever so gently towards daytime radio.
However, it’s on tracks three and four that we shed our clothes, paint our naked flesh and dance to the horned god in a woodland glade. “Furtherance” starts with a twinkly guitar wobble before ushering in spooky synths and filtered deadpan vocals that sound like aliens who have learnt to recite our language without all the irrational bits. Studied and calm, but strangely flighty and folky. This smells of oak and aluminium in equal measure.

“UKUL” has no such sci fi touches, however. It’s a glowing huddle of synths and guitars that sparkles and warms like a campfire made of burning fairies. The pulsing harmonies drift in and out as the crackling flames wind their way into your ears before ever so gently frying your brain. On ‘Sleep In Heavenly Peace’, Jack creates magic with the subtlest of shades. And in the end you find yourself lost on a camping weekend with nothing but dodgy mushrooms and Ovaltine to keep you going.

by Overplay - Overplay

January 21, 2010, 09:19 PM
Views: 894 Comments: 13
by danreviewer

Jack Morgan is a twenty one year old singer songwriter from London who is currently unsigned, but with offers already coming in from a smaller indie label, there is some interest surrounding Jack Morgan already. Jack provides six songs for this EP, which is entitled ‘Sleep in Heavenly Peace’. I can draw the biggest comparison immediately to bands such as Athlete and Snow Patrol in the vocal delivery, but Jack produces a sound which feels bigger than it is. Taking into account this is one guy and his guitar, he has a relaxed approach which seems to fill the speakers with relative ease. Considering again that this EP was recorded mostly at home, I am really impressed with the simplistic, yet professional nature of what Jack has managed to achieve.

‘White Wires’ was a pleasant song, quite poetic and the type of song that I would listen to while cooking on the BBQ in the sun. It is light and effortless, something which I found drawn to without realising. Jack doesn’t rely on additional instruments to compliment his sound, something which I have respect for. A stripped down ‘one man and his guitar’ ethos sees this EP contain very worthy material. Another song which I found enjoyable after just one listen was ‘Furtherance’ which makes use of some atmospheric effects throughout, giving once again a much bigger sound. All the tracks are very carefully crafted and Jack Morgan’s work oozes potential.

Taking into account the music which is currently on the radio, I see no reason why Jack wouldn’t have a place on the airwaves. It is very radio friendly and I could imagine seeing Jack appear at some smaller festivals, which would benefit his current belief in playing regular live gigs to build a following. This is an artist with a clear vision and a sensible head on his shoulders. When you come across somebody who turns down their first offer from a record company, in favour of ‘...collaborating with an eclectic producer to make a full length LP for self-release’ you know there is a future for them. I’m pleased to have heard Jack Morgan’s work. - Altsounds

In the latest installment in the “Apheraware” series we bring you a very promising new artist. His name is Jack Morgan and his music immediately presents itself as a work of skilled craftsmanship. The songwriting tells an interesting story while the music tickles the ears with the sweet sounds of instruments recorded by someone with a penchant for good production. Even more, the songs contain the emotional subtlety that only a solo artist like Elliott Smith or Nick Drake can attain. But don’t be mistaken, there is certainly something more going on here than there is with your average singer/songwriter wielding a good voice and a good guitar (not to say anything of Smith or Drake, just helping you past the stigma). This is evident in the intricacies of his harmonies and lyricism. Just give it a good listen.

Click HERE to listen the Jack’s tracks “Furtherance” and “No Strain.”

Click Here to buy the Jack’s EP Sleep In Heavenly Peace, from which these songs came.

Here’s a short interview exchange that occurred via email:

George Woskob: What is your current status as an artist? Searching for record deals?

Jack Morgan: The internet was an important sounding board… I put my demo tracks up on forums as soon as they were done. You should expect that friends and family will respond positively to your stuff, even if it’s mediocre, but people on music forums have no reason to hold back criticism. Before putting my songs on the web, I had very little concept of them resonating with other people, but actually I received a lot of enthusiasm and encouragement. There’s a guy in Argentina who emails me about the songs, signing off with “your fan”… I think that’s amazing.

There was an Australian indie label, wanting to start building an artist roster, which offered me an EP deal, so it’s weird, after making songs for personal catharsis, I’ve been encouraged to feel like there’s actually a place for them on people’s iPods or whatever.

GW: What are you doing to promote yourself?

JM: In terms of something to flog, I’ve bundled 6 of my demo tracks into an EP, “Sleep in Heavenly Peace”, which I’ve put on all the digital music stores through a service called Zimbalam, and I’ve sent a few CD copies to things like XFM Unsigned and BBC Introducing. Hopefully the online “release” will give things an air of legitimacy and I’ll be able to extract some blog/zine reviews before I send off press packs to labels/producers I’m interested in.

GW: Are you playing shows? Where?

JM: I’ve started playing gigs around London, aiming to do at least 1 or 2 a month. I’ve played the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town, the Miller in London Bridge, The Good Ship in Kilburn, and the Cavendish Arms in Stockwell.

My first set was a bit difficult…I played in a busy pub during a boxing match (…on TV, not around the bar). But a young couple who were listening invited me to play their wedding cocktail reception, which was crazy, especially as they insisted I played my own stuff. When I actually did it, even at my most trite it felt very strange singing “you are the one I love and always will be…well probably”.

GW: What do your songs represent? Are they reflections of inner feelings or are they artistic statements? Social commentary? Something more profound?

JM: I don’t know if there is, or should be, an umbrella concept to the music, but I kind of wish the songs were under an artistic brand distinct from “Jack Morgan” (maybe I’ll think of something…), because while they’re necessarily personal, I try to collect different voices and perspectives. If someone listened to the song “Event” and made a literal connection to “Jack Morgan”, they’d think I was a demented school shooter…Anyway, some of the lyrics on “Sleep in Heavenly Peace”, at least in the abstract, deal with losing comfortable mainstream frames of reference, and having to confront a derailed future with lots of guilt, confusion and pining. I like the song “Furtherance” because it’s so muddled in its message – and because there’s something so vague about the word itself – and it was on my mind especially because at graduation you’re presented with the privilege of being able to “further” yourself, essentially towards other privileges, but the question prickles: where am I actually leading and who for?


Well I sincerely hope you enjoy this “Apheraware” pick as we take it upon ourselves to make selections that will let you say “Hey, I heard about these guys before they were famous.”

Enjoy!

EDIT:

And he’s incredible live. Here is his song “Futherance.” - Aphera Music

Hailing from London, 21-year old Jack Morgan is an unsigned singer/songwriter. Having written and recorded music at his home for some time, six of his tunes have been selected to create this EP, ‘Sleep in Heavenly Peace.’

Opening track ‘Make No Mistake’ is a somber instrumental track, with Morgan strumming slowly over a sonic, effect-laden background. The rest of the EP is a predominantly low-key affair – no backing band, just Jack’s whispery voice and gentle, solo guitar-work. ‘Event’ is the most urgent of the songs on display, the aggression bubbling beneath the stripped back rock song recalling the late Elliott Smith. A fine song, but the tone is not fitting with the next four songs, all of which are wistful acoustic numbers. The tender plucking of ‘No Strain’ and ‘Ukul’ coupled with Morgan’s Joshua Radin-style vocals are charming in their simplicity, while ‘Furtherance,’ with its eerie effects, could be a Thom Yorke ballad. Closing track ‘White Wires’ is perhaps the most memorable song on the EP, the layered vocals of the chorus and light finger picking closely resembling Kings Of Convenience.

‘Heavenly Peace’ is a lovely little EP, but Jack Morgan’s collection of songs, despite showing some versatility, are not particularly original. To his merit, since the EP was mainly recorded at home, the standard of his musicianship and, in particular, his lyrics are commendable. Furthermore, I don’t think the fact that it’s so easy to make these comparisons with other artists (such as the aforementioned Elliott Smith and Kings Of Convenience) is necessarily a bad thing. Considering his age, and that this is his first real release, Morgan is confident in his potential, and is not trying to hide his influences – plus, to be mentioned in the same breath as Elliott Smith is certainly no mean feat. - Music Liberation

There’s a real risk of Jack Morgan’s title becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. His music is deliberately dreamlike: repetitive, down-tempo, atmospheric and generally torpid. Every element seems to be competing to be further in the background than every other.

All of the above could be said about much of the ‘ambient’ music that trickles listlessly into the Playback in-tray, but thankfully, there are no synth arpeggios or waves crashing on seashores to be heard here. Sleep In Heavenly Peace is actually the work of a singer-songwriter, and is built up almost entirely from layers of guitar picking and vocals. At first listen, it sounds maddeningly ponderous, but once you allow yourself to tune into its wavelength, it begins to make more sense. Tracks like ‘No Strain’ hint at the more cathartic bits of Radiohead’s catalogue, albeit with rather more humble production values. It’s never immediate, but it’s never superficial either.

by Sam Inglis - Sound on Sound

Jack Morgan is a 21 year old singer/songwriter from Wimbledon.

This, his debut EP, was recorded in his Leamington Spa bedroom within one week and his first gig ended in a request to play at a wedding. Quite an introduction, it has to be said.

Morgan’s whispery vocal style is complimented by a downbeat and eerie backing on “Event” whilst “Ukul” boasts a dreamlike quality. The tender “No Strain” is melodic enough to get under the skin and the simplistic instrumental “Make No Mistake” has atmosphere by the shedload.

The EP certainly does not strike you as the perfect wedding soundtrack and thank goodness for that. Jack Morgan clearly has way too much going for him than to just be a wedding singer.

“Sleep In Heavenly Peace” is a massive HOORAY for home studios.

Paul Lane. - Playing Out Loud

One man, one big sound. The first collection of heartfelt songs from Jack Morgan comes in the shape of the 5 track “Sleep In Heavenly Peace”. Intro “Make No Mistake” is something that wouldn’t raise an eyebrow if it was on a Pelican record. Gentle swaying guitar is backed by banks of chiming of bass and noise. Always a good thing if the listener is wishing that the intro to an album wouldn’t stop.

“Event” is where Jack shows his true colours as an acoustic strum-a-thon, it’s very Foo’y, and the haunting background vocals give the song a fuller sound, although it keeps going nowhere and there’s the solo and done. “No Strain” is a highlight, and has a definite air of Mr Rice or Miss Hannigan about it, the accompanying cello sounding like a sunken ship creaking inside a whale. “Furtherance” plays out like an Air/Stereolab/Sigur Ros collaboration which sounds unlikely if you knew these songs were in the 21 year olds bedroom...as a solo project.

“Ukul” is covered in shimmering waves of spacey electronics and really takes off at one point, a real shame that it’s less than 3 minutes. My only criticism of this disc is that the songs could be double the length and make more of an impact. I’m sure Jack is happy as the leader of his one man band, but these songs could explode if stretched outward and upward. Think Spiritualized. Nonetheless a promising start, look out for Jack Morgan...and friends? - Die Shellsuit, Die!