Ada Morghe Talks New Album, Songwriting And More

Ada Morghe will release her new album ‘PURE GOOD VIBES’ on Friday 13th June 2025 and has recently been announced as the special guest on Billy Ocean’s 2025 UK Tour. We spoke to her about her new record, songwriting and more:

When did you begin songwriting?

Writing has always been an emotional outlet and a way to cope with my feelings. I started writing songs in my late thirties, but I played the piano since I was six years old and most of the time I just improvised. I was already established in acting and writing when music took hold of me in a completely unexpected way. It was around 2015 that I seriously began exploring songwriting when I had the chance to write and perform a song for the soundtrack of the film „Frau Mutter Tier “—my first album Pictures came out in 2019. It felt like a natural progression of storytelling, just in a different form.

What is your earliest musical memory?

I grew up mainly with classic music, because of my father´s passion for Beethoven. My mother loved to listen to Sade and Fleetwood Mac and I remember very well how much I loved the voices of Sade and Stevie Nicks.

Your new album PURE GOOD VIBES is released on 13th June 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

I accompanied my bassist Livingstone Brown on his trip to Jamaica and didn’t have any expectations to write a full album. I was there for the vibes, the spirit and everything in between. This place holds a special energy but in the end the songs came very naturally, and we produced more than enough to fill another album! So, I took a more organic approach, embracing spontaneity and the energy of the surroundings. While it’s not strictly a Jamaican record, there’s an undeniable spirit of the island in its warmth, its organic groove, and the way the music flows effortlessly, much like life itself.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

I recorded PURE GOOD VIBES in Jamaica and London with my friend and producer Livingstone Brown. Jamaica’s energy, its people, its natural rhythm—everything about being there seeped into the music.

Do you have any interesting, funny, or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

There were so many magical moments, and one of my favorites was recording with Maxi Priest. He’s such a generous spirit. He recorded his part while we were back in London, but the moment he started singing and talking, I was instantly transported back to Jamaica. It felt like I was tuning into Irie FM, the iconic 24-hour reggae station that has been the heartbeat of reggae music in Jamaica for decades.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, or recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We kept things really warm and authentic. There’s a lot of live instrumentation—percussion, strings, bass—that gives it that organic, sun-soaked feel. While the core of the album was recorded in Jamaica, we later brought the production to London, where we layered in even more strings and bass with some incredibly talented London-based musicians. This added a new depth and richness to the sound, creating a beautiful fusion of influences that really brings the album to life.

One of the tracks is the title track single which features Maxi Priest. What was the story/inspiration behind the track? How did the collaboration with Maxi Priest arise?

The song PURE GOOD VIBES is exactly what the title suggests—it’s about embracing the moment, letting go, and celebrating life. It’s the attitude towards life the people in Jamaica live every day, making the world a better place by approaching people with respect, kindness and gratitude. Maxi Priest was the perfect person to bring in that energy. We connected through Livingstone Brown, and from the first note, it was clear we were on the same page. It was effortless, really.

Was it a difficult album to write?

Not at all. This album came from a place of pure joy, friendship, trust and flow. Some albums take a lot of emotional digging, but this one was about allowing the music to come naturally. It’s an album that feels alive.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your: a) happiest – “PURE GOOD VIBES” b) angriest – There’s no anger on this album. But moments of inner conflicts, torn between love, anger and fear – “PASSION PLAY”.

c) most reflective – “SHADOW”

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

That people feel something real—whether it’s joy, inspiration, or a deep emotional connection. And that we’ve shared an experience together that lingers beyond the music.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I love working with live backing vocals, a deep grooving bass, and warm analog sounds. And a great microphone—one that captures every nuance of the voice—is essential.

Where is your hometown, and could you please describe it in five words?

Nowadays I spend a lot of my time in London, but for many years I lived in Munich which is historic, artistic, multifaceted, vibrant, inspiring.

How do you look after your voice?

Hydration is key. And rest—knowing when to be quiet is just as important as singing.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

“On the road” by Jack Kerouac. It’s a novel of the Beat Generation, capturing the energy of an exhilarating journey across the country, chasing adventure, jazz, poetry and personal freedom. Kerouac wrote the novel in a spontaneous, jazz-inspired prose style, mirroring the free-flowing nature of jazz. It’s a mix of ecstatic highs and crushing lows, just like music. The novel reflects everything that inspires in songwriting and the soundtrack could reflect this with a mix of genres I love: jazz, soul and blues.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I’ve always been drawn to strong, unique voices—Nina Simone, Grace Jones, and Marianne Faithfull have all been huge inspirations. But for PURE GOOD VIBES, I was also influenced by the soulful fervor of Michael Kiwanuka, the vibrancy of ‘60s R&B, and my deep love for Sade’s Diamond Life, which has stayed with me since childhood.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?

Yes! We’re planning shows, and I can’t wait to bring this album to the stage. More details soon!

What makes Ada Morghe happy, and what makes you unhappy?

Happy: Creating, performing, being surrounded by good energy and creative people. Unhappy: Anything that stifles creativity or connection.