Telling Both Sides of the Story – An Exclusive Interview with Charlotte Morris

Singer-songwriter Charlotte Morris has always had a way with words, but on her new album both sides, she speaks with a clarity and emotional precision that hits deeper than ever before. Released yesterday, the 13-track project is a raw, poetic, and deeply personal journey that explores the full emotional spectrum—from joy and nostalgia to heartbreak and healing. With sweeping instrumentals and lyrics pulled straight from the heart, both sides captures the contradictions that define us: the light and the dark, the past and the present, the strength and softness we all carry.

We sat down with Charlotte to talk about her path to this moment, the making of both sides, and where she’s headed next.

Interview with Charlotte Morris

1. Charlotte, congratulations on both sides! This album feels incredibly personal. What was the first spark that set this project in motion?

Charlotte: Thank you so much! The first spark for both sides came during a period of deep personal reflection—after a breakup, some major life shifts, and a lot of self-questioning about who I was and where I was going. I didn’t start out thinking I was writing an album. I was just writing to process what I was going through. But the more songs I wrote, the more I realized there was a throughline—this exploration of duality, growth, and the messiness of being human. That’s when I knew it needed to be a cohesive project.

2. You wrote nearly the entire album yourself and were deeply involved in the production process. How did it feel to have such a hands-on role from start to finish?

Charlotte: It was incredibly empowering. These songs are extremely personal, so I wanted to be involved in every part of bringing them to life, from the lyrics and melodies to how they were arranged and recorded. Once I had the songs mapped out, I had such a clear vision of what I wanted from the production, more so than I’ve had for any project in the past. Being hands-on meant I could make sure each track honored its emotional core. It was vulnerable, grounding, and honestly, one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had.

3. The title both sides and the inclusion of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” are powerful choices. How has Mitchell’s music influenced you, and why was it important to include that cover?

Charlotte: Joni Mitchell has been a guiding light in my songwriting journey. Her ability to capture emotional nuance with such grace is something I deeply admire. I first performed “Both Sides Now” during the Lonesome Traveler folk tour, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Including the cover felt like a tribute—not only to Joni, but to the emotional arc of the album. It’s a song that perfectly captures the evolution I’ve gone through over the last few years, and it felt right to let it bookend that growth.

4. Tracks like “raised by a woman” and “created me” beautifully honor your roots. How has reflecting on family and legacy shaped the way you approach songwriting today?

Charlotte: Family and legacy have become central themes in my writing recently. “created me” was about thinking through all the things—big and small—that get passed down through generations. “raised by a woman” came from this place of deep gratitude and awe for the women in my life, especially those whose strength is often unseen. Reflecting on those relationships has made my writing more intentional. I’m always asking myself, “Where did this come from?”—whether it’s a behavior, a belief, or an emotional pattern.

5. You balance heavy emotional moments with lighter tracks like “neighborhood bar.” How important was it for you to showcase that full emotional range on this album?

Charlotte: So important. Life isn’t just heartbreak and healing—it’s also joy, laughter, and those small, in-between moments that make you feel alive. “neighborhood bar” is one of those songs. It’s a playful, slightly cheeky look at the people and places I’ve come across on the road. I wanted the album to reflect the full emotional spectrum, because that’s what life looks like. Without the light, the heavy moments wouldn’t hit as hard—and without the heavy, the joy wouldn’t feel as earned.

6. You’ve lived in major music hubs like New York and Nashville, and now you’re back in Philadelphia. How have these different environments influenced the stories you tell through your music?

Charlotte: Each place has given me something unique. New York gave me resilience and helped me figure out who I was as a young adult. Nashville taught me the craft of songwriting and how to collaborate with other artists. And Philly—being back here has helped me reconnect with my roots. It’s grounded me. All of these environments have shaped the stories I tell—how I tell them, who I’m writing them for, and what emotional truths I’m trying to uncover.

7. Songs like “villain” and “devil & me” dig into complex relationship dynamics. Was there a particular experience that inspired these songs, or were they drawn from multiple moments in your life?

Charlotte: They stem from personal experience—particularly one toxic relationship that lingered long after it ended. But they also pull from broader patterns I’ve noticed, in myself and others. The ways we repeat emotional cycles, the lies we tell ourselves, and the reckoning that comes with finally choosing ourselves. Writing those songs was part catharsis, part reclamation. They’re about naming the pain and finding power in that truth.

8. After releasing your debut EP and albums like Songs For My Next Ex and Wild Child, how do you feel you’ve evolved as an artist leading up to both sides?

Charlotte: I’ve grown a lot—in confidence, vulnerability, and clarity. Earlier on, I was still figuring out my voice and sometimes shaped my writing based on what I thought I was supposed to sound like. With both sides, I let go of that. I embraced the messiness, the contradictions, the gray areas. I let myself be fully honest, even when it was uncomfortable. I used to think a song had to be perfectly resolved to be valid—but life isn’t like that, and music doesn’t have to be either.

9. You’ve already received praise from major outlets like No Depression and Music Mecca. Has that recognition changed how you approach your art, or do you still create from the same raw, personal place?

Charlotte: I’m so grateful for the recognition—it’s incredibly affirming—but it doesn’t change the heart of why I create. I still write from that raw, personal place because that’s how I process the world. The recognition has maybe given me more courage to keep being honest, to trust that vulnerability resonates. But I’ll always write first and foremost for myself. It’s how I make sense of things.

10. Now that both sides is here and you’re out on tour, what’s next? Are there new musical directions or collaborations on the horizon you’re excited about?

Charlotte: Absolutely! I’m really looking forward to connecting with audiences on tour and performing these songs live. Beyond that, I’m starting to write again and experiment with some new sounds. I’m also working on visual storytelling projects to pair with the songs—something that brings the emotional layers of the record into a new dimension. I’m staying open to what’s next, but I know music will always be at the center of it.

both sides is now available to stream and download on all major platforms. To follow Charlotte Morris’s journey, tour updates, and behind-the-scenes moments, visit CharlotteMorrisMusic.com or find her @charlottemorrismusic on Instagram and TikTok.