Here at InCeleb, we have recently had an amazing opportunity to talk with a Jazz singer Ada Morghe, who has now released her new album, Box, out today on various streaming platforms.
First of all, how has been in quarantine been for you?
The total lockdown was an enormous challenge for all of us, but I tried to make the best out of it. The time has taught me to look at the essentials and I am grateful for that. I find dealing with the new uncertain reality and future much more difficult and frightening.
Has it been difficult to write new music during the lockdown?
At the beginning of the lockdown, my brain was so full of question marks that there was no great output at first. But after a while, the reduced overstimulation left its mark and being thrown back on me left an inspiring impact. I sometimes felt like I was back in my childhood because the time seemed to stand still without daily life distractions.
Would you say you have been more motivated in lockdown or less motivated? If so why.
The lockdown spurred me on to think and go new ways. I started doing live streams of readings and concerts for children and adults. Every day for a total of five weeks. It was the first time that I was extremely grateful for the possibilities of social media.
So for people who haven’t heard of you, could you describe to us who you are and the background of your singing career?
I mainly worked as an actress and author under my real name Alexandra Helmig. Mostly in Germany. But music has always been an important part of my personal and professional life. I have performed and sung as an actress and the last few years as a singer of a jazz band, but I only started writing my own songs five years ago. So you can say I´m a late bloomer in the professional music business.
So you have got an album on the way called Box. First of all, why call it Box?
The focus track “Box” symbolizes what I want to express with the album. It´s about the freedom to think out of the box, to be open-minded for each other and not to let others limit you in your expressions and dreams. It´s about seeing everyone in their entirety with all different facets. This is also reflected in the musical range of my album which moves between the genres of jazz, soul, pop and funk.
A funny coincidence is that the studio we recorded in is located in a small village called Box. The recordings have been one of my best times in life, so it was clear to me that the name of the album had to be “Box”.
Following on from this, could you describe what this album will be about?
“Box” is a very personal album. It´s about finding your own way in the world and the power and possibility to always turn your life in a different direction. It´s about trusting yourself and not to be afraid of trying out new things and facing your fears. If I´d have to find an overall slogan for the album, it would be: “Step out of your comfort zone, so you can see the beauty of life in all its different colours”.
What was the process like in writing the album?
When I released my first album, I experienced a real flow of creativity. It was like a lot of my ideas suddenly found their way into songwriting and they just gushed out of me. I also wanted to develop myself in exchange with other musicians. “Box”, for example, I wrote with Andrew Roachford, a work that was very fruitful and inspiring. The main challenge was to choose the songs for the record. Even though most of the songs are downloaded individually today, it was important to me and my producer that the compilation of the songs on the album resulted in an arc of tension that also worked for sides A and B on vinyl.
What was the easiest song to write in the album and what was the hardest song to write on the album?
It is difficult to say because sometimes the first draft of a song was very easy for me, but there were a number of obstacles to overcome in the course of the recording process. “Demons” e.g. I wrote in one afternoon, but in the recording process, we spent a long time working on the orchestral end of the song.
Being a Jazz singer in today’s music industry would you say being in Jazz gets you less noticed in the music world than being a pop singer? If so why?
On the streaming portals, I think it´s more difficult to get a perception as a jazz singer, but on the other hand, the niche also has many advantages. My new album “Box” has elements from different genres of jazz, pop, soul and funk. I consider myself as a singer-songwriter. When I write a song, I don’t think about which drawer the song will end up in. So above all, I want my music to reach people emotionally.
If you could describe your album in 3 words, how would you describe it?
Freedom. Joy. Melancholia.
Finally what advice would you give to someone who wants to have a career in singing or especially to become a Jazz singer?
As an artist, it´s important to believe in yourself and to trust your intuitions. If you don´t believe in what you are doing, how should anyone else do so? Nevertheless, I learned most from other people, so it´s necessary to be open to comments and criticism, but to be careful with who you choose. Overall: Keep going. Keep working. If you want to climb the next mountain, you always have to go down into the valley. The search process never ends.
Thank you, Ada, for having this lovely Q&A with us, we loved talking to you.
Why don’t you check out Ada’s new album now?