New England-based singer-songwriter Grace Morrison has never fit neatly into one musical box. Raised on the shores of Cape Cod, she’s crafted a distinctive sound she calls “Saltwater Country”—a blend of folk, country, and pop infused with rich storytelling and a deep connection to her coastal roots. Her upcoming album, Saltwater Country, is a tribute to her hometown, her cranberry-growing family, and the journey of self-discovery that led her here.
Her latest single, “Beer in a Teacup,” is a playful anthem about embracing imperfections, inspired by her grandmother, who sipped beer from a Victorian teacup without a care in the world. Produced by Jon Evans (Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan), the album takes listeners on a journey through heartache, resilience, and the undeniable pull of home.
In this interview, Grace Morrison opens up about defining her sound, collaborating with Lori McKenna, her love for coffee, and why she believes music is one of the most important things we do in this world.
Hello Grace Morrison, Welcome to Blackbird News. Could you please tell our readers about your journey as a musician and how you developed your signature “Saltwater Country” sound?
Hi! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me! I’ve wanted to be a singer-songwriter since Lilith Fair and Hanson first made waves. I’ve had so many musical jobs—Ren Faire performer, pianist for musicals, teacher. What was hard for me was defining MY sound. Maybe because I love so many styles of music, maybe because my dad kept telling me I needed to be a blues singer, maybe because of years of self-doubt… whatever the reason, it took me a while to define who I am as an artist.
And even then, I’d get lots of comments like, “Oh, you’re too country for folk music,” or “You’re too folky for country,” or “You’re too poppy for Americana.” So I just decided one day that I would find a way to define my sound, and I realized that while, yes, it is a bit folky and poppy, at its heart, it’s storytelling music—country! And being a native New Englander, the ocean finds its way into the music. Heck, I’ve even got a sea shanty on this new record!
Your upcoming album, “Saltwater Country,” is inspired by your hometown and family. Could you share specific stories or memories that influenced the album’s songs?
Yes! The title track, “Saltwater Country,” is a bit of a love letter to my hometown. I’m from Wareham, which is known as “The Gateway to Cape Cod.” It’s next to Cape Cod, but it ain’t Cape Cod. Sometimes I joke that it’s a poor man’s Cape Cod, but I love it so much. It’s also the hometown of Geena Davis!
One of my favorite songs on the record is “Gloria.” I was born during Hurricane Gloria and had always wanted to write about it. My grandfather (who really embodied what you’d consider an old-school Cape Cod fisherman, accent and all) had these carved wooden fishermen on his dresser. I was thinking about those, and him, and ghost stories of sea captains. We’ve got all these old haunted mansions of sea captains around here. I got to thinking—what if it was a hurricane of a woman who trapped the protagonist in this town?
“Beer in a Teacup” is a playful anthem about embracing imperfections. How does this song reflect your personal philosophy and approach to life?
You know, I think this song is all about the moment I decided not to care what other people think anymore. And even more—not to listen to the negative voice in my own head anymore. I remember the moment I looked at my body in a bathing suit with disdain for the first time. I was seven. And it’s been a lifetime of anxiety around putting a swimsuit on and going to the beach. I think a lot of women have lived with this.
2025 is my “Beer in a Teacup” year. I’m gonna go to the beach and let the self-consciousness go.
You’ve mentioned collaborating with hit songwriter Lori McKenna. What did you learn from that experience, and how did it impact your songwriting?
Just like my early experiences touring with ’80s rockstars, writing with Lori made this dream of a creative life feel possible. She is as real as her songs are. One of my favorite things about that writing session was that I was eight months pregnant and determined that we were not going to write about the baby. It felt too easy a subject.
After humoring me for at least an hour, she said, “You know we’re going to write about the baby, right?” It was a great reminder to write what you know.
You have an eclectic background, from cranberry farming to Renaissance Faire performing. How have these diverse experiences shaped your music and artistry?
Call me a nerd, but the Renaissance Faire was perhaps the most influential experience for me. I have always loved history, and at the time I got that job, I was deep into studying King Henry VIII. Being in our little Ren Faire village and hearing bagpipes and ancient fiddle music made the history I was studying feel so alive—I started writing songs about King Henry and his wives. They were like country-Celtic tunes, and the first songs I’d written that told clear stories about the human experience.
As far as the cranberries go, I can think of no better place to write a song than while doing manual labor. It gets your critical brain out of the way so the creative one can take the wheel. I started writing a few of the songs on the record this way!
As a New England-based artist, how do you see your music contributing to the region’s rich musical heritage?
There is so much great music here! I feel so lucky to have been able to cut my teeth at some of our famous venues like Passim. I hope I do New England proud. While my music is pretty pop-country forward, its heart is folk music because that’s where I started.
I’ve had some friends tell me they find the term “folk” off-putting, but once they started listening to my music, they were interested in hearing more of my influences. I feel like my writing brings together all of the things New England is known for—folk music, Celtic music, with a little sprinkling of the Pilgrims and Pirates and Lizzie Borden.
In addition to music, you’re also passionate about coffee and have your own blend. How does your love for coffee intersect with your creative process?
I do not think I could write songs without COFFEE! My typical Mon-Fri workflow when I’m not on tour has me getting all of the non-creative work done in the morning so my afternoons can feel free enough to let the music flow. That 1 PM espresso I have every day gets my brain working like nothing else.
The ritual of making my little espresso has actually been a good jumping-off point for lots of songs! There’s one that begins, “Sometimes I buy coffee ’cause I’ve got nothing to do.”
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is often crucial for musicians who tour and perform regularly. How do you prioritize your well-being and stay fit on the road?
It is SO important! I don’t feel right if I haven’t done my daily workout. I love Street Parking. It’s a platform that programs CrossFit-style workouts meant to be done at home or in a hotel with nothing more than a pair of dumbbells. The workouts are rarely longer than 20 minutes, so it takes all the excuses away!
I’ve never felt stronger and LOVE that there is no interruption to my workout routine when I’m on tour!
What are your aspirations for the future, both musically and personally?
My big dream is to get a song placed in a TV show or movie—or a Hallmark Christmas movie! Honestly, I’m just aiming at a livable wage from my art. I’m pretty close.
My son is six, and I think if nothing else, I hope I’m modeling for him that you’ve gotta believe in yourself, don’t give up on the things that you truly care about, and that art might be the most important thing we do in this world right now.
You can connect with Grace Morrison on Facebook @GraceMorrisonMusic, Instagram @realgracemusic, X @realgracemusic, and website www.gracemorrison.com
