Rae Morris
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Rae Morris
| image = Rae Morris, Manchester, 1st of March 2012.jpg
| caption = Rae Morris performing at the Night and Day Cafe, Manchester, on 1 March 2012.
| image_size =
| birth_name = Rachel Anne Morris
| alias = Rae Morris
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|9|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Blackpool, Lancashire, England
| death_date =
| genre = Art pop
| occupation = Singer, songwriter
| instrument = Vocals, piano
| years_active = 2011–present
| label = {{flatlist|
}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
| website = {{URL|raemorris.co.uk}}
}}
Rachel Anne "Rae" Morris (born 2 September 1992) is an English singer and songwriter. She released her debut album, Unguarded, in 2015. Her second album, Someone Out There, was released in January 2018. Her third album, Rachel@Fairyland, was released in July 2022.
Early life
Morris was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England,{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashirelife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/blackpool_singer_songwriter_rae_morris_is_tipped_for_the_top_1_3920630|title=Blackpool singer-songwriter Rae Morris is tipped for the top|date=19 January 2015|website=Lancashire Life}} and started playing the piano when she was four years old.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/scKfPTRHGR/|title=Rae Morris on Instagram: "22"|website=Instagram.com|access-date=8 October 2022}} She attended St. George's School and then studied A-levels in music and drama at Cardinal Newman College in Preston, Lancashire.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/what-s-on/music-dance/rae-keeping-her-feet-on-the-ground-1-6958357|title=Rae keeping her feet on the ground|work=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/school-run-scribe-on-path-to-glory-1-4251781|title=School run scribe on path to glory|work=lep.co.uk}} She worked as a waitress at the grounds of Blackpool F.C.{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31017787|title = Rae Morris: The pop star who wanted to be a waitress|work = BBC News: Entertainment & Arts|date = 29 January 2015|last = Savage|first = Mark}}
Career
=2011: Early live appearances=
File:Rae Morris, Manchester, 18th of January 2011.jpg
Morris gigged in Blackpool and around the North-West England during her college studies. She attracted the attention of BBC Radio Lancashire presenter Sean McGinty, who put her forward to perform on the BBC Introducing stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.cardinalnewman.ac.uk/2013/04/rae-morris/|title=Rae Morris|work=Cardinal Newman College|date=4 April 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.itb.co.uk/artist/raemorris |title=ITB Artist Bio |work=International Talent Booking |access-date=18 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/festivals/readingandleeds/2011/artists/raemorris/ |title=Reading+Leeds Artist Page |work=BBC |access-date=18 July 2014}} She was signed to Universal Music Publishing Group the same month and to Atlantic Records in September 2011. Morris had received attention from other labels but chose Atlantic because they "would take it slow" and "didn't blow any smoke up my arse".
During this period she was mentored by fellow Blackpool singer-songwriter Karima Francis, who helped develop her songwriting skills.{{cite web|url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/introducing/rae-morris-interview-2014|title=Introducing: Rae Morris [Interview] – The Line Of Best Fit|author=George O'Brien|date=28 May 2014|work=The Line of Best Fit}} She was also in a two-year relationship with Francis, which she said inspired the songs on her debut album "about going through that, exploring that sexuality and those feelings for the first time. Then coming out the other side of that as well, so that's the album".{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/musician-rae-morris-interview-i-dont-label-my-sexuality-cause-i-dont-actually-know-myself-10013154.html|title=Musician Rae Morris interview: 'I don't label my sexuality 'cause I don't actually know myself'|work=The Independent}}
=2012–2014: EP releases=
Morris released her debut single in March 2012, "Don't Go", following its use in the final episode of the sixth series of the television drama series Skins.{{cite web|url=http://www.umusicpub.co.uk/en-GB/FilmAndTv/2012/Mar/Rae-Morris-for-Skins-end-title.aspx|title=Universal Music Publishing Group – UK|work=umusicpub.co.uk}} She recorded an EP, For You, which she sold exclusively at her live performances in mid 2012, and in November released a second EP, Grow.{{cite web|url=http://www.forfolkssake.com/interviews/17208/interview-introducing-rae-morris|title=Interview – Introducing… Rae Morris|work=For Folk's Sake|date=6 June 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://cleanslatemusic.org/2012/11/07/rae-morris-reveals-new-ep-video-for-grow/|title=Rae Morris reveals new EP & video for 'Grow'|work=Clean Slate Music|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108112452/http://cleanslatemusic.org/2012/11/07/rae-morris-reveals-new-ep-video-for-grow/|archive-date=8 January 2015|df=dmy-all}} Another EP, From Above, followed in 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.goldflakepaint.co.uk/interview-rae-morris/|title=Interview // Rae Morris|work=goldflakepaint.co.uk|date=15 April 2013}} Alongside her solo gigs during 2012 and 2013, Morris was a support act for artists including Bombay Bicycle Club, Lianne La Havas, Noah and the Whale, and Tom Odell.{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/features/otw-495-rae-morris|title=OTW #495: Rae Morris|work=Clash Magazine|date=16 April 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://louderthanwar.com/rae-morris-interview-2/|title=Rae Morris – Interview – Louder Than War|work=Louder Than War|date=28 February 2013}} She contributed guest vocals to three tracks on Bombay Bicycle Club's 2014 album So Long, See You Tomorrow, including the single "Luna". Also in 2014, Morris co-wrote and featured on the Clean Bandit song "Up Again" (from their debut album New Eyes). Rae Morris was recently the MarkMeets featured artist of the month December 2014 {{cite web|url=http://www.markmeets.com/featured-artist/rae-morris-featured-artist-for-december-2014/|title=Rae Morris Feature: 'She's a refreshinging artist who we love" – Mark Boardman'|work=MarkMeets Entertainment|date=December 2014 }} Rae also opened for George Ezra on his European tour, as well as embarking on her own headlining UK tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.theedgesusu.co.uk/features/2014/09/23/i-still-struggle-with-confidence-an-interview-with-rae-morris-110914/|title='I still struggle with confidence': An interview with Rae Morris (11/09/14)|author=Jenny Simpson|work=The Edge|date=23 September 2014}}
=2014–2015: ''Unguarded''=
{{Main|Unguarded (Rae Morris album)}}
During 2014, Morris released the singles "Do You Even Know?", "Cold" (featuring Fryars), and "Closer"—each with accompanying EPs—to promote her debut album, Unguarded, which she recorded primarily in Los Angeles with producer Ariel Rechtshaid.{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2014/09/17/rae-morris-in-the-studio-interview-this-is-me-this-is-who-i-am|title=Rae Morris in the studio interview: "This is me, this is who I am" – DIY|work=DIY|date=17 September 2014 }} Morris was longlisted in the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, and Unguarded was released in January 2015 alongside the single "Under the Shadows", with another headlining tour following in February.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/5ZylN8jgKvybP1rcdgqPNHD/rae-morris|title=BBC – BBC Music Sound Of, 2015 – Rae Morris|work=BBC}}{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2014/11/19/rae-morris-debuts-new-single-under-the-shadows|title=Rae Morris debuts new single 'Under The Shadows'|work=DIY|date=19 November 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/what-s-on/music-dance/singer-rae-will-be-the-one-to-watch-in-2015-1-6983596|title=Singer Rae will be the one to watch in 2015|work=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}} Unguarded, which also features production from Jim Eliot and Fryars, debuted at number nine on the UK Albums Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/meghan-trainor-tops-official-albums-chart-with-debut-release-title-3455/|title=Meghan Trainor's Title debuts at top of Official Albums Chart|work=officialcharts.com}}
Later in 2015, Morris appeared in a television advertisement for fashion retailer Boohoo that featured the album's fifth single, "Love Again". She featured on Sivu's single "The Nile" and performed at festivals including Bestival, Glastonbury, Lytham Festival, T in the Park, and Truck Festival.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/community/women/singing-star-rae-s-the-face-of-clothing-range-1-7220448|title=Singing star Rae's the face of clothing range|work=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2015/05/01/sivu-shares-video-for-the-nile-featuring-rae-morris|title=Sivu shares video for 'The Nile' featuring Rae Morris|work=DIY|date=May 2015 }} The sixth single from Unguarded, "Don't Go", was released in association with breast cancer awareness charity Coppafeel!.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/culture-news/news/rae-morris-releases-charity-single-for-coppafeel|title=Rae Morris releases charity single for CoppaFeel|author=Rebecca Cope|date=2 September 2015|magazine=Harper's BAZAAR}}
=2018–2019: ''Someone Out There''=
Morris began work on the follow-up to Unguarded in late 2015. Touring to promote the album began in March 2017 and included a concert at Concorde 2 in Brighton supported by PAULi and Saskia Maxwell.{{Cite web|url=https://muzikspeaks.com/tag/saskia-maxwell/|title = Saskia maxwell|website=Muzikspeaks.com| date=27 March 2018 }} In September a wider tour included Norwich, Nottingham, Salisbury Arts Centre, Leeds and Islington in London.{{Cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2017/08/01/rae-morris-new-uk-tour-september-2017|title = Rae Morris has announced a new UK tour|website=Diymag.com| date=August 2017 }}
Working prominently with Fryars, Morris opted for a more electronic-oriented sound for her second album. Between July 2017 and October 2018, Morris released seven singles to promote the album - "Reborn",{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/videos/watch-rae-morris-is-reborn|title=Watch: Rae Morris Is 'Reborn'|website=clashmusic.com|date=June 2017 |access-date=23 October 2018}} "Do It",{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2017/09/15/rae-morris-new-video-do-it-watch|title=RAE MORRIS IS A RISK-TAKER IN THE VIDEO FOR 'DO IT'|website=diymag.com|date=15 September 2017 |access-date=23 October 2018}} "Atletico (The Only One)",{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/12/05/rae-morris-atletico-video-someone-out-there|title=Rae Morris has a wild time in New Orleans in her "Atletico" video|website=Thefader.com|access-date=23 October 2018}} "Push Me to My Limit",{{cite web|url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/rae-morris-offers-up-epic-new-track-push-me-to-my-limit|title=Rae Morris offers up epic new track "Push Me To My Limit"|website=Thelineofbestfit.com|access-date=23 October 2018}} "Lower the Tone",{{cite web|url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/rae-morris-latest-track-lower-the-tone-scales-euphoric-heights|title=Rae Morris' latest track "Lower The Tone" scales euphoric heights|website=Thelineofbestfit.com|access-date=23 October 2018}} "Someone Out There" and "Dancing With Character"{{cite web|url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/rae-morris-announces-second-album-someone-out-there|title=Rae Morris hits the ballroom in 'Dancing With Character' video|website=Thelineofbestfit.com|access-date=23 October 2018}} - as well as various remixes. The album, titled Someone Out There, was released on 2 February 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/rae-morris-announces-second-album-someone-out-there|title=Rae Morris announces second album Someone Out There|website=Thelineofbestfit.com|access-date=3 February 2018}}
"For You" was featured in the first series of A Discovery of Witches, which was broadcast on Sky One in 2017. In July 2018, the song "Reborn" from Someone Out There was featured in the BBC's closing montage from the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
On 19 November 2018, Spice Girl Melanie C released "High Heels" featuring Sink the Pink, which was co-written with Morris.
On 4 June 2021, Morris released "Fish n Chips", a collaboration with TikTok star, grime artist, and fellow Blackpool native Soph Aspin.
=2022: ''Rachel@Fairyland''=
Work began on Morris' third album Rachel@Fairyland in October 2018, as she teased in an interview that she was "going away for a few months to write the next era."{{cite web |date=18 October 2018 |title=RAE MORRIS HITS THE BALLROOM IN 'DANCING WITH CHARACTER' VIDEO |url=http://diymag.com/2018/10/18/rae-morris-dancing-with-character-video-someone-out-there-watch |access-date=23 October 2018 |website=Diymag.com}} Morris released the first single from the album, "No Woman Is an Island", on 25 February 2022.{{cite news|url=https://readdork.com/news/rae-morris-no-woman-is-an-island/|title=Rae Morris has returned with a first new single since 2018, 'No Woman Is An Island'|author=Ackroyd, Stephen|work=Dork Magazine|date=25 February 2022|access-date=28 March 2022}} She released three further singles for the album between April and July - "Running Shoes",{{Cite web |date=2022-04-01 |title=Rae Morris Drops Her Dreamlike Track, "Running Shoes" |url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2022/04/01/rae-morris-running-shows-new-noise/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Wonderland |language=en-GB}} "Go Dancing" (featuring Fryars),{{Cite web |last=Cabot |first=Madeleine |date=2022-05-06 |title=Rae Morris heads to Blackpool's Tower Ballroom for her new 'Go Dancing' video |url=https://readdork.com/news/rae-morris-video-go-dancing/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Dork |language=en-US}} and "A Table for Two".{{Cite web |last=Stickler |first=Jon |title=Rae Morris Posts New Track A Table For Two Ahead Of 'Rachel@Fairyland' Release - Stereoboard |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/236120/9 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Stereoboard.com |language=en}}
In July 2022, her third album Rachel@Fairyland was released. It sold 1,098 copies in its first week to debut at number 150 in the UK Albums Chart, 130 places lower than her second album, Someone Out There, charted in 2018.{{cite web | url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/charts-analysis-harry-styles-spends-fifth-week-at-no-1-with-harry-s-house/086195 | title=Charts analysis: Harry Styles spends fifth week at No.1 with Harry's House | Analysis |website=Musicweek.com}}
Personal life
Morris is married to frequent collaborator Fryars.{{cite web|author=David Smyth |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/rae-morris-talks-love-stories-and-latex-catsuits-a3756516.html |title=Rae Morris talks love stories and latex catsuits |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=2018-02-02 |access-date=2020-04-11}}{{Cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2018/02/02/morris-dancing-rae-morris-someone-out-there-interview-february-2018|title=Morris, dancing: Rae Morris|website=diymag.com|date=2 February 2018 |access-date=17 July 2020}} Her brother William is married to Lucy Rose.{{cite web|author=Craig McLean|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/musician-rae-morris-interview-i-don-t-label-my-sexuality-cause-i-don-t-actually-know-myself-10013154.html|title=Musician Rae Morris interview: 'I don't label my sexuality 'cause I don't actually know myself'|newspaper=The Independent|date=2015-01-30|access-date=2020-04-11}} On 26 May 2021, Morris announced via her Instagram that she was pregnant with her and Fryars' first child; their daughter, Marla, was born in June 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CQGac-6LI57/|title=Rae Morris (@rae_morris)|date=14 June 2021|access-date=28 March 2022}} Their son Larry was born in April 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ESmuYNG6L/|title=Rae Morris (@rae_morris)|date=22 April 2024|access-date=6 May 2024}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Details |
|---|
| scope="row"| For You
|
|
| scope="row"| Grow
|
|
| scope="row"| From Above
| |
| scope="row"| Do You Even Know?
|
|
| scope="row"| Cold
|
|
| scope="row"| Closer
| |
| scope="row"| Someone Out There, at the Piano
|
|
| scope="row"| Something Big, Something Bright
|
|
=Singles=
=Music videos=
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morris, Rae}}
Category:Atlantic Records artists
Category:English women pop singers
Category:English women singer-songwriters
Category:English singer-songwriters
Category:Musicians from Blackpool
Category:21st-century English women singers
Category:21st-century English singers