Long-time fans and first-time listeners of Morning Electric have a hard time with labels. As an artist, their lead singer Sway, has crossed genres from rap to rock, and when he gets on the mic, his voice shocks audiences: while his exterior is a rail-thin black man sporting a mohawk, thick-frame glasses, and piercings, his voice is smooth, soulful and aggressive. He is a front man that defies stereotypes.
After a couple of recordings in the rap game during his teen years, the key to success for Sway and his transition from rap to rock was in finding the right musicians to work with. While many faces have rolled in and out of the Morning Electric portrait, one thing has remained the same: the bond between Sway and band mates Eric Doerkson and Ryan Haslett.
Self-taught musicians Eric and Sway, coincidentally moved into the same house in Toronto in 2005 when they decided to form a band with the initial motivation that most rockers share: women. Influenced by bands like the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, The Verve and Guns N’ Roses, they experimented with elements of blues, Motown, classic rock and mixed it with indie rock.
When the sound matched their expectations, Morning Electric was born. The name for the band is a term Sway and Eric used to describe waking up in the morning after really good sex.
Completing the core of the band is Ryan Haslett, a guitar player who is an accomplished music engineer who has worked with bands like Sloan and Surplus Sons. The rhythm section is composed of former Toronto punk band “No Warningâ€: bassist Ryan Gavel and Jessie Labovitz on drums.
Since coming together as Morning Electric, the band has played clubs and festivals in Toronto, Montreal and surrounding areas. The band is currently performing locally, and have a music video in the works.
Morning Electric is putting the finishing touches on their 5-song EP, which is slated for release in May. The pace spans from slow Motown inspired soul to infectious danceable blues and classic rock riffs.
Among the tracks on the EP are “Vegas,†which hits hard right off the bat, and will catch the attention of any Wolfmother fans; “Morning Song†which is a little more experimental; and “Corners†which is sure to be a hit.
