Morgan James connects with us to discuss her powerful new release 'Soul Remains the Same'
- STAFF
- Sep 3
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 4
By: Staff
Morgan James delivers a transcendent, soul-stirring performance in 'Soul Remains the Same'
Morgan James is back with a powerful new release of her cover versions of some of your favorite iconic songs, aptly named 'Soul Remains the Same.' This record takes some of rock and metal’s most iconic songs and transforms them into something completely unexpected.
We spoke with Morgan James to get a closer look at the mind behind the voice that commands attention, a voice that can go from whispering vulnerability to shattering intensity without missing a beat. From the first note, it’s clear that Morgan doesn’t just sing songs; she inhabits them, uncovering hidden layers in familiar melodies and making them entirely her own.
This album doesn’t just cover classics, it reinvents them, blending soulful warmth with raw rock energy in ways that make the listener rethink what they thought they knew about these songs. There’s a sense of storytelling at every turn, whether it’s the hypnotic punch of “Thunderstruck” reimagined or the stripped-back, hopeful intimacy of the closing track, “Tonight, Tonight.” Each selection feels deliberate, chosen not only for its musical impact but for the emotional journey it offers.
Touring has become a stage for Morgan to share this transformative vision, from symphony halls to club dates, creating moments where the audience collectively exhales in awe. Morgan describes the live experience as an exchange, a shared space where music isn’t just performed but felt, a testament to her belief that the song is always the star.
In our conversation, Morgan delves into the discipline of her classical training, the freedom found in independence after leaving a major label, and the ways each chapter of her career, from Broadway to studio recordings, has sculpted her artistry. There’s a fearlessness in her approach, a drive to challenge norms and reinterpret the familiar in ways that feel both bold and profoundly human.
Click the links below to experience 'Soul Remains the Same' and explore the full interview to uncover the story behind Morgan James’s latest artistic triumph, where every song is a revelation and every performance is a journey you won’t forget.
Photos provided by: Leela Wolfe
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Morgan James, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We have to start with your vocals. You have an incredible power and ability that feels like it’s something we’ve never heard before. To say your vocals are a standout is an absolute understatement. The way you make Thunderstruck sound like it’s being delivered by Aretha on steroids is really not even an exaggeration. When did you first realize the power of your voice, and what moment in your life transformed it from a personal, intimate expression to a tool for sharing your story with the world, ultimately laying the foundation for the impactful career we see today?
A. Ha! Aretha on steroids! I’ll take that. Thank you!
You know, I learned early on that I had a voice that was bigger than my body. I always had this big, grown woman voice that kind of shocked people. And when I first started singing, as most singers tend to do, I over-sang and wanted everything to be the loudest, biggest, most impressive thing I could muster. I think the challenge in harnessing the power of your own instrument is really understanding that less is more, and to let those big moments emerge organically.
Most importantly, the song and the lyrics are the star. I am not the star of a song. So if what I’m doing vocally takes away from the communication and the storytelling, then it doesn’t matter how powerful my voice is; I will have failed.
Q. We were absolutely blown away by this entire album. It is probably the most amazing combination of cover songs we’ve ever seen, even on a major label release. Your song choices, from old-school bands like AC/DC to mega giants like Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Ozzy, have taken the biggest and the best and made something that is already inconceivably good, even better. What inspired you to reinterpret classic rock and metal songs with a soulful, feminine approach on ‘Soul Remains the Same’?
A. Thank you! First of all, I truly love all of these songs. So I started with a big collection of songs that I really loved and whittled it down to the 10 that I thought would be the most impactful. These are songs that I always love singing in the shower or singing in the car, and then I thought to myself, "Wow, it would be really powerful to hear a woman sing these songs." It changes the meaning, and definitely the tone, for a lot of them.
Q. Is there a connection between all of these songs, and how did you find the means to put them together? What are some of the most significant ones, and why did you choose them?
A. Some of the common themes we find with these writers and in this era are loneliness, melancholy, being misunderstood, anger, self reflection. I think that that unites a lot of the songs. (Except for “Thunderstruck” which is the lyric anomaly haha.)
When I was choosing which songs were going to make it on the album and which order to put them in, I was thinking about which melodies would really lend themselves to a soulful approach. Which songs would really benefit from a funky horn section, or a warm choir of vocals, or which iconic lines would be transformed by a different instrument. And that’s how I really came to choose these ten.
Q. Your tour dates are amazing. We’re so excited to see how many shows you have coming up all over the world, from New York to Budapest. Can you describe the feeling you get from being on tour? What’s the most “high” moment of the night? Is it right before the show starts or right as it ends?
A. I do love touring! And you know, you have to love it, to endure all the very difficult parts about tour life. Because it’s not an easy way to live, but it’s an exciting one. Thankfully, my management and agent know that I love to work, and I love to meet new audiences, so they keep me working!
My favorite part of any given show night is about halfway through the show when I feel everyone in the audience relax. I feel them all collectively be at ease together. Usually about halfway through the show I break down to an acoustic set, and I tell a few stories, and I think that that’s really what everyone is there for. Are they there to hear me sing? Sure. But I think that we all come together to listen to music to share an experience. And I think that’s why live music is so important. Nothing can replicate it.
Q. Why did you decide to close the album with “Tonight, Tonight”? What makes that song stand out for you?
A. I think “Tonight Tonight” is really special to me, because we stripped away the production entirely and let the lyrics really rise to the top. And that theme of hope was how I wanted to end the record. Even though there’s uncertainty and sadness in that song, there’s a lot of hope as well.
Q. How does it feel to receive praise from critics like The New York Times and FemMetal? How does it validate your approach to music?
A. I’m always thankful when anyone appreciates what I do. It helps when it’s a press outlet that could potentially allow my music to reach more people. But I also appreciate it when it’s someone that’s come to my show for the first time, and they give me praise after the show! It’s really nice to be seen and appreciated after working so hard to make the music I make.
Q. You’ve had quite a diverse career, from Broadway to working as an indie artist. How have those different phases shaped the music you create today?
A. I think that every single experience I have on stage and off in creating the diverse career that I have continues to chisel away at the statue of who I am. We’re always working to become better human beings and better artists, and in that way every single piece of music we sing and every single challenge we encounter, the detail of that sculpture we are becoming. My music and my sound is hopefully getting more authentic, more accessible, more warm, and more human. That’s what I hope.
Q. After leaving Epic Records, what was the driving force behind your decision to become an independent artist? Was this a stressful or empowering moment, or both?
A. Well, I didn’t choose to become an independent artist; I was dropped by the label. And it’s something I was embarrassed of at the time, because I felt rejected and abandoned by them. But it was probably the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me, because it’s how I built my life as an independent artist and found my true fans. My fanbase is so loyal and so incredible, and there are the ones who allow me to make music the way I do. My management stood by me every step of the way, and gave me the strength to continue to create.
Q. How did studying at Juilliard and your background in opera influence your musical style and vocal technique?
A. My classical technique and my work ethic that I established at school are the reasons I am able to maintain the intense touring schedule that I do. I use my technique and my knowledge of vocal health every single day, and I’m so grateful for that foundation.
Q. Your album Hunter marked a significant point in your career. How did your personal experiences and growth between Hunter and Soul Remains the Same shape the music you were creating?
A. Hunter was my first studio album, and it will always have a soft spot in my heart. I worked so hard on that album! I also had no idea what a “first album” was supposed to sound like or supposed to be. I had really high expectations set for myself. And when you’re writing your first album, you have your whole life to put into it. So that album represents a lot of pain, and a lot of triumph.
When I’m recording albums now, and with my latest album, Soul Remains the Same, I am just so much kinder to myself. I have so much more freedom and understanding, and I’m just not holding myself to this unrealistic standard anymore. And that actually makes the recording process so much more fun than it used to be! Ha!
Q. In your career, you’ve often fought against industry expectations. Can you talk about how Jesus Christ Superstar challenged traditional perceptions of women in music and theater?
A. Working on our all female Jesus Christ Superstar was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career. Even though Cynthia Erivo just played Jesus at the Hollywood Bowl, (and she was amazing!), when WE were trying to get this production made, Andrew Lloyd Webber and his whole team fought us every step of the way. They did not think that a female cast could do it, and they didn’t want us to do it, so we had to fight that all-male organization every single day. And I’m used to fighting societal and gender norms, and my hope is usually that if someone gives it a chance, they will be pleasantly surprised. And 9 times out of 10 that is what happens. My hope is also that people will continue to find our recording and discover the magic of that incredible cast.
Q. Your current tour mixes symphony shows and club dates, what has that experience been like for you, and how do the different settings influence your performance?
A. I think the craziest thing about my career is how many different styles of music I have to sing at any given time! It’s one of my favorite things about my career, but it’s also a challenge. Because I have to be prepared, mentally and vocally, for a lot of different styles at once. I don’t really know anyone that has this diverse and interesting of a career, and I’m really thankful that I get to do so many interesting things.
Q. ‘Soul Remains the Same' — The title seems to echo “The Song Remains the Same” by Led Zeppelin, and given your immense talent as a soul singer, it feels like there’s a deeper connection there. The wordplay, alongside your vocal prowess, really amplifies the experience for the audience. Have you ever considered or are you planning to cover any Led Zeppelin songs in the future, and how do you envision interpreting them through your soulful lens?
A. It’s definitely a nod to Led Zeppelin, of course! And I am such a huge Led Zeppelin fan. I’ve thought about doing a whole project dedicated to Led Zeppelin—and perhaps I will someday! But the wordplay also has to do with the fact that no matter what kind of song you’re singing, or who wrote it, when you scratch beneath the surface, the soul is right there. In everything I sing, the soulfulness of who I am is at the core of it. The soul remains the same."
Morgan James, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Morgan James’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
