Jonny Morgan on Blues, Banter, and Bringing Heart to UK Country
Jonny Morgan is quickly carving out his own lane in the expanding UK country music landscape—a scene he both respects and gently rebels against. Rooted in the bluesy echoes of classic rock and coloured by the storytelling soul of Americana, Morgan’s sound is anything but formulaic. Speaking with him, it’s clear that his approach to country music is as much about authenticity and evolution as it is about tradition.
“Our sound has a lot of blues in it,” Jonny explains. “Not your conventional 12-bar stuff—but the Stones, rhythm and blues rock—that’s what I grew up on.” That, blended with ambient textures and the occasional country-style guitar lick from bandmate Joe Coombs, gives Morgan’s music a distinctive edge. “When you’ve got a guitar player as good as Joe, you tend to get some great country picking too.”
A Musical Upbringing That Transcended Generations
Jonny’s musical journey started young, thanks to his parents’ old-school tastes. “My first introduction into music was just kind of being indoctrinated by my fairly old parents,” he laughs. “You know—Zeppelin, Stones, Beatles. And then when songwriting became a thing, it was people like Ray LaMontagne, Gregory Alan Isakov… proper icons where the song is just everything.”
A formative trip to Nashville in his early twenties changed everything. “It blew my mind. That opened up a whole new world for me. That’s where a lot of the Americana and country influences really came in. And then I just became obsessed with songwriting.”
He adds, “When I was growing up, it was just get a cheap Line 6 amp, put the distortion to 10, and go! You could say it’s maturing—but now it’s all about songwriting. That’s what I’ve been obsessed with ever since.”
Writing from the Heart—Sometimes the Broken One
For Morgan, songwriting is less about premeditated themes and more about capturing the spontaneous spark. “I’ve never been able to sit down and go, ‘I’m going to write about X today,’” he admits. “It’s got to hit me in the car or something—just a phrase that sticks and won’t let go.”
His debut album was, in his own words, “100% a breakup album,” but he’s aware of his tendencies. “Playing the victim is something I keep coming back to,” he laughs. When he tried to be intentional with album number two, the songs had other ideas. “I had all these hopes and themes for what it was gonna be about, the narrative of it. And then some unbelievable songs came that just didn’t remotely fit. I squeezed a few of them on there, to be honest—but yeah, it throws things off. Their time will come.”
Building a Band and a Vibe
Live shows are where Morgan and his band truly shine—and not just musically. “There’s five of us, and I grew up with four of them. So there’s a natural . And a lot of piss-taking,” he says, grinning. “One thing I’m proud of is that we have a real laugh live. Some people would argue there’s too many jokes—or the same jokes! But there’s a real connection.”
He recalls a standout performance supporting JJ Grey & Mofro at Union Chapel in London. “That was a bucket list venue. I’d seen Ray LaMontagne, Bear’s Den, David Gray there. That night, I was too nervous to even banter between songs—but it was a ‘whoa’ moment.”
His bucket list still includes some major venues. “Red Rocks, 100%. And the Albert Hall—I could retire after playing there, even if it’s just in the foyer!”
A New Chapter: Another Heartache and What Comes Next
Morgan’s latest single Another Heartache marks the start of a new sonic chapter. Unlike his debut, this new project leans heavily into the energy of his live performances. “The first album was stripped-back, acoustic, sad,” he says. “But I’ve always wanted to make a live band record. So we went up to Nashville and recorded at East Iris Studios for 10 days in January.”
The process was refreshingly old-school. “We played live, five or six takes, and picked the best one. No piecing it together. It’s what you get when you see us live. So if you don’t like it—don’t come see us, ha!”
There are deeply personal moments in this new collection, too. “I turned 30 in February, so there was a lot of reflection. The last track on the album is called 30 by Spring, about growing up—and stop playing the victim, like I mentioned earlier.”
Crafting the Sound They Love
For Morgan and his band, evolving their sound is about more than just genre—it’s about creating music that feels right. “Basically, we’re trying to start our own E Street Band,” he jokes. “We’ve got Eve Lesedi on sax—she’s phenomenal—and Joe, who’s honestly one of the best guitarists in the country.”
“We tried to make a record that’s just the stuff we like when we’re hanging out. We listen to the Stones, Springsteen, Alabama Shakes… all of that. We’re just making the music we want to make, really. If anyone likes it, it’s a bonus!”
UK Country with a West Country Twist
Morgan is both amused and encouraged by the rise of UK country. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? You go to C2C and see 30,000 people in cowboy boots—from Essex!” he laughs. As for what makes UK country distinct from its American roots, Morgan shrugs: “Maybe a bit of British humour in between songs. But it’s kind of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ I always joke that our country sounds like John Deere tractors and cider—we’re from the West Country, after all!”
With a heart in the blues, a head full of songs, and a band that feels like family, Jonny Morgan is helping to shape the sound of modern British country—one honest lyric (and one cheeky joke) at a time.
Jonny Morgan
Jonny Morgan is a British singer-songwriter whose music walks the line between intimate storytelling and anthemic Americana. With roots in the UK and a soul stirred by Nashville, Jonny weaves raw emotion into every lyric, drawing listeners into moments that feel both deeply personal and universally familiar. Whether performing solo or with his close-knit band, he brings an infectious warmth and authenticity to the stage—inviting every audience member to feel like part of the journey. For Jonny, it’s not just about the music. It’s about connection, camaraderie, and leaving a little piece of himself in every song. Find out where he’s playing live next in our gig guide.
