Alwyn Morrison Sings About Why People Stay In The Place Where Their Hearts Get Broken

Singer-songwriter Alwyn Morrison releases his first single, a midtempo pop-rock song about the City of Dreams, New York, produced by Michael Carey (Escape The Fate, Gwen Stefani, Pablo Alborán).

The song—which other music outlets have described as ‘as if The Goo Goo Dolls, Counting Crows, and Robbie Williams came together on a musical journey in New York’—tells a story that feels both catchy and heartbreaking, capturing a unique perspective on New York City. Yet, it could easily apply to any city that draws people in with its inexplicable energy. It’s a story anyone who’s struggled, felt lost, or experienced loneliness can relate to.

MIM: Tell us about the creation process of this project.

Alwyn: The creation process for this song was both personal and deeply inspired by the people around me. When I sat down to write the lyrics, I knew I didn’t want to tell just my story.

I wanted to create something that anyone who’s struggled, felt lost, or experienced loneliness could relate to. I started by reflecting on my own experiences in New York, but then I got curious about what others were feeling.

I asked some of my closest friends to describe the city in one sentence or explain why they were here. The more I asked, the more I realized that New York doesn’t have one definitive answer.

It’s different for everyone. But the one common thread was that everyone wanted to stay. That complexity is part of what makes the city so powerful. Musically, my good friend and co-writer Mike Ales helped bring the song to life.

We recorded the track in Los Angeles with my producer, Michael Carey, who also played the iconic guitar solo that, honestly, became my favorite part of the song. It just ties everything together perfectly. The whole process felt like a journey of discovery, both personally and creatively.

MIM: What does this project mean to you?

Alwyn: This project means a lot to me, as it marks the beginning of my musical journey and a deeper exploration of my connection with New York City.

I’m calling this song the first chapter because it serves as an introduction not only to the song but to a broader theme that will run through many of my future releases. New York is such an integral part of who I am, and I reference it often in my music.

This song is about the energy of the city, the people it draws in, and the sense of belonging, or lack of it, that so many experience there. It’s a love letter to the city in all its chaotic beauty, but it’s just the beginning.

In terms of sound, this project represents a fusion of my influences. I’ve always been drawn to the raw energy of an electric guitar, like the one in “The City,” which has this gritty yet hopeful tone. As for my overall sound, I’ve been heavily influenced by iconic rock bands like The Cars, The Cranberries, and The Cure, bands that knew how to blend melodic hooks with emotional depth. But there’s a lot more diversity in what I’m creating.

Some of my upcoming songs have a more pop vibe, and I embrace that because, at heart, I’m a ’90s pop kid. That era of music shaped me in so many ways, and it continues to be a big part of my sound. This project is a reflection of that blend… Rock meets pop, personal storytelling meets universal themes. And it’s all building toward something much bigger. For me, it’s the start of a lifelong musical exploration.

MIM: Who are your biggest musical influences?

Alwyn: It’s tough for me to pinpoint exactly who has influenced my sound, because my musical tastes are so diverse, and I’m constantly inspired by a wide range of artists and genres. It’s hard to separate what influences me as an artist from what I just love as a fan.

I think everything I listen to finds its way into my music in some way, even if I can’t always identify the specific influences. That being said, there are certain artists who have had a huge impact on me from the start.

P!nk, Robbie Williams, and Sia are some of my all-time favorites. Their ability to blend vulnerability with powerful performances has always inspired me. I also have a deep love for rock music. Artists like Oasis, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, and The All-American Rejects immediately come to mind.

Their anthemic sounds and emotional depth have shaped the way I approach songwriting and performance. At the same time, I’ve always had a love for country music. Artists like Kenny Chesney, John Denver, Kelsea Ballerini, and Lainey Wilson have influenced my storytelling and my connection to the emotional side of music.

I think what excites me about all these artists is how they blend different elements, whether it’s the raw energy of rock, the emotion of pop, or the heart of country, and how that shows up in my music.

MIM: What inspires you to create music?

Alwyn: Music has always been a constant in my life. Growing up, I learned to play the piano, flute, and guitar, and I even spent years playing the xylophone in my school orchestra. But it’s really been the personal challenges I’ve faced in the last couple of years that have driven me to create more than ever.

During that time, I found myself writing constantly. Songs seemed to pour out of me. For this particular track, “The City,” the inspiration came from a single line I couldn’t shake: “The city that will break your heart.” I kept singing it over and over, and it just stuck with me.

There was something about it that felt both catchy and heartbreaking, as if it captured a unique perspective on New York City, a place that both lifts you up and knocks you down. But honestly, it could be any city with that magnetic pull. Some places just have an inexplicable energy, and I wanted to capture that feeling.

Music has always been a way for me to process my emotions, and lately, it’s become my way of making sense of life’s highs and lows. It’s that raw honesty and connection that inspires me to keep writing.

MIM: What is one piece of advice you would tell your younger self, or anyone who is pursuing a career in music?

Alwyn: If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self, or to anyone pursuing a career in music, it would be: Collaborate.

Embrace the power of working with other musicians, and don’t be afraid to create together. Some of the most fulfilling and exciting moments in my career have come from collaborating with others. Over the last couple of years, I’ve taken the step of sharing my music with fellow artists, and it’s been a game-changer.

There’s something magical about giving one of my songs to another musician and seeing how they bring their own voice to it. So my advice is simple: don’t be afraid to share, to learn from others, and to let collaboration take your music to new heights. You never know what kind of magic can happen when different minds come together.

MIM: What can listeners look forward to from you?

Alwyn: I look forward to my second single, which will dive even deeper into my personal love and heartbreak story with New York. It’s a love song that’s set to be released on Valentine’s Day, and I’m really excited about it.

The track is a synth-pop power ballad called “Lenox Hill” that paints a vivid picture of both love and loss, all set against the backdrop of one of New York’s most romantic neighborhoods. I co-wrote it with my very good friend and incredibly talented composer, Michael Kooman (who’s worked with artists like Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald).

It’s a deeply emotional song that I think many people will connect with, whether they’ve experienced love in New York or just been touched by a love story that feels bigger than life itself. There’s a lot of heart in this one, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.

Stay tuned for more to come from Alwyn Morrison by subscribing to his YouTube channel.