With a strikingly intimate yet expansive artistic vision, Morgan Saint has always blurred the lines between music, design, and storytelling. Now, with the release of Out Of The Blue, her debut full-length album, she steps into a new chapter — one defined by creative independence, deep self-reflection, and love. Having crafted the album alongside her wife, Carley Ridersleeve, Saint embraces vulnerability and raw emotion while pushing her sonic boundaries. In this conversation, she opens up about the inspirations behind the record, the balance of light and darkness in her work, and what fans can expect from this new era.
Hello, it’s a pleasure to speak with you. How are you feeling today, ahead of the album release? Are you nervous, thrilled, worried…?
Nice to speak to you too! Thank you for talking to me. I’m feeling excited. I did have a mental breakdown the other day, but right now I’m feeling good. I feel very ready for this album to be out in the world.
Out Of The Blue is your debut LP. What does this milestone mean to you at this point in your career?
It means a lot to me. I’ve only ever put out EPs, and those were all with a major label. I’m proud to have my first full-length coming out on my own label, 4Love, and to have made this project with my wife, Carley. We’ve written, produced, engineered, shot, styled, coloured, and edited all of the music and visuals just us two. It’s truly been a labour of love.
You’ve described this record as a reflection of your personal growth and returning to your hometown. How did revisiting your past shape the music and lyrics on this album?
The album feels like a lot of different things to me. I’ve definitely grown and gained a new perspective on life and my relationship with myself and others while making this album. I finished the second half in my hometown, which added an interesting layer to the music and visuals. It brought up emotions from when I was a teenager that I thought I had moved past. I found myself interacting with parts of myself that I hadn’t faced in a while. It made me realise that the things we go through become parts of us forever. Pain stays with us, but I am learning to work through it. Songs like 15 Forever and Deep came from these parts of my life.
You co-wrote, produced, and engineered this record with your wife, Carley Ridersleeve. How did working so closely together shape the sound and vision of Out Of The Blue?
Yes! It shaped it entirely. I mean, I couldn’t imagine completing this project without her. It’s our baby — a true product of our love! We actually got married right in the middle of making the album. She sees me clearly, which helps me see myself clearly. When I first met Carley I remember feeling like something major clicked into place. Her presence in my life has given me so much light and hope, and I really think you can hear that on this album!
The title track, Out Of The Blue, beautifully captures the sweeping highs and lows of love. Can you talk about the emotions that inspired this song and what it represents within the album?
Thank you! Love is so dynamic, isn’t it? I really just wanted to capture the beauty and complexities of two souls coming together. I remember reminiscing on some of the first moments Carley and I shared together when we first met, and wanted to highlight how strong and sudden those feelings came rushing in!
Your previous work often leaned into melancholic and introspective themes, but Kiss is more lighthearted. Was it difficult to step into that more playful space?
The initial idea came pretty naturally actually. I don’t love the idea of forcing a song. If it comes out in the moment in a free way, I know there’s something there. So yeah, the heart of the song came naturally, but there was a lot of overthinking, re-producing, and remaking that happened after that. Probably because it was a little out of my comfort zone in the way you described. While it’s a song about falling in love, it was important to me that it still felt layered and complex at the same time! If anything, I have trouble relating to it when I’m in an emo mood.
You’ve described this album as reflecting both light and darkness. What was the biggest challenge in balancing those themes?
I think I’m learning to embrace it all. I realised that we have been conditioned to be afraid and ashamed of the parts of ourselves that sit outside of the ‘norm,’ and I believe that’s where a lot of our unhappiness stems from. Of course a balance is easy and breezy and I appreciate those moments of ease, but it’s not sustainable or healthy to expect ourselves to live right there in the middle at all times!
I wanted to shine a light on the light and the dark and everything in between, because I think that that spectrum is where beauty, understanding, and creativity stem from. I like to give people something to think about. Yeah, blue goes well with blue, but what about red and blue together? Now everyone is thinking… hmm, that’s supposed to clash, but maybe it actually is cool because it’s something different! Without darkness, there is no light.
I wanted to shine a light on the light and the dark and everything in between, because I think that that spectrum is where beauty, understanding, and creativity stem from. I like to give people something to think about. Yeah, blue goes well with blue, but what about red and blue together? Now everyone is thinking… hmm, that’s supposed to clash, but maybe it actually is cool because it’s something different! Without darkness, there is no light.
Sonically, your music blends electronic, pop, and post-punk influences. Were there any specific artists or genres that inspired this album’s sound?
I can see that for sure! I was listening to every genre and every time period for inspiration. I had the time and space to really just dig and learn — I wanted to know what synth came from what time period and the history behind it all. It feels like I literally earned a degree in music history while making this project.
Your songwriting often carries a strong storytelling element. Do you usually start with lyrics, melodies, or production when crafting a song?
I am always writing from a vulnerable and personal place, so the stories just flow out of me and have a life of their own. They’re not always linear, but they do tell a story if you’re willing to read between the lines. When we write for my wife Carley’s music project, our first priority is telling a clear, thought-out story — that’s her bread and butter. But when it comes to my music, I like more freedom.
I don’t have any specific formula for making a song — sometimes I write on an instrument, sometimes I have a lyric or melody that comes to me and I run with that, and other times it’s a combination of everything all at once. But I generally like to have some drums and/or a chord progression going, and then I like to freestyle on the mic and see what comes out naturally. I find that having that free space to explore is where my best ideas are born.
I don’t have any specific formula for making a song — sometimes I write on an instrument, sometimes I have a lyric or melody that comes to me and I run with that, and other times it’s a combination of everything all at once. But I generally like to have some drums and/or a chord progression going, and then I like to freestyle on the mic and see what comes out naturally. I find that having that free space to explore is where my best ideas are born.
“Love is so dynamic, isn’t it? I really just wanted to capture the beauty and complexities of two souls coming together.”
You’re not just a musician but also a designer, director, and visual artist. How does your visual creativity tie into your music?
Yes! I mean, it’s all just completely intertwined in my head — like a big universe. The music inspires visual and style ideas, and the visuals inspire the music. They all just sort of keep moving and pushing the other one forward!
Your music often explores love, identity, and self-discovery. Has marriage changed the way you express these themes in your songwriting?
Yeah, for sure! I think being in a healthy, happy relationship has brought out the lighter, more playful side of me. Not all of the songs on the album are mushy love songs — but some are! More than anything, being with someone who loves me for exactly who I am has given me space to live and emote freely, and I think that essence can be felt throughout this project.
You have a headline show coming up in LA at The Moroccan Lounge. What can fans expect from your live performances in this new era?
Lights, feeling, freedom, love!
If listeners could take away one core feeling or message from Out Of The Blue, what would you want that to be?
Hmm, good question, but I’m having trouble narrowing it down to just one! The beauty in making an album is you throw yourself so deep into it, and then you wake up one day and it’s not yours anymore. So yeah, I want it to be whatever it needs to be for everyone that listens to it.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you after Out Of The Blue? Any dream collaborations or artistic directions you’re excited to explore?
For sure! My head is already ten steps ahead, but I don’t want to give anything away just yet!
