Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Grose.
Hi Morgan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in outer LA singing, playing piano, doing musical theater, and writing songs. Once I got into GarageBand my junior year of high school I was fascinated with bringing ideas into the physical realm and capturing sounds with so much freedom. My friends and I would collab, freestyle, and do small shows.
I later learned Logic and spent much of my time at UCLA making beats in the statue garden and mixing in the library while listening to a ton of Jessy Lanza and Stereolab. Around that time, I released my 2nd EP and visited Paramount Recording in Hollywood for the first time to attend a Flower Boy session my then-partner was involved in. I remember discussing the energy in the building with someone there and saying I wanted to work in a studio like that.
I was maxed out on inspiration from that experience so I got my audio foundation interning at a studio in the Valley to explore engineering further <despite my communications degree>. Engineering felt contradictory to my path with art, but I wanted to stay in the studio world so I pivoted. I set up studio spaces in closets in my LA apartments, at friends’ places while housesitting, pretty much moved my setup anywhere I could be isolated and make noise. I had my monitors on bricks at one point. During quarantine, I moved up North to work on a farm briefly and healed a broken heart while finishing my first album there in treehouses and cabins.
Upon returning, I landed a receptionist job at Paramount at 23 through my good friend Sierra (an engineer and now a Paramount technician) who I met at my previous gig. A week in, a manager was needed and I stepped up. I’ve been running this place ever since alongside my amazing team Aaron, Eli, and the owners Adam & Mike. I love being part of musical history and other artists so much my heart could pop. I get to make connections, learn about gear, meet my inspirations, and continue making music in a space where people get why we do this. It’s very cool to play a small role in huge records coming out today just by making those sessions happen.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m young, and the industry can be complex and cold – especially as a woman. You have to stand up for yourself while staying humble and open to growth. There are legendary female studio managers who’ve laid the groundwork for badass women in leadership roles in music today. I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with Paula Salvatore at Capitol and Candace Stewart at East West, to name a few.
Trying to honor my art and find balance with work is also difficult. I struggle with my identity as an artist working a consistent job since I have less time for art entirely, but the conversations and experiences I have here with other writers and producers are invaluable. They’ve gifted me a family of similar brains. I’m grateful to use the spaces here as well. Most people take either the admin or the creative route, but I’ve found a unique limbo space in the industry.
Studios carry all kinds of mixed energies, frequencies, and personality types. It can be overstimulating, but it’s a circus, and I love the chaos of the circus. I’m actually working on a project with heavy circus themes right now and drawing a lot of inspiration from experiences here.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a studio manager I coordinate with clients and book sessions at our four locations (label & indie), along with booking engineers and audio assistants. I also hire, train, and manage runners and the buildings. Musically I make experimental pop music with undertones of house and R&B. I produce everything myself in Logic and will be performing more in 2026 once my next project is out. I love breathy vocals, too much delay, and arpeggiators. I want my music to come to mind for the queue when someone’s two drinks in with their lover, lakeside, watching the sunset before the party starts. It helps to make music literally in those settings if you’re intentional about wanting to stir those feelings up in other people.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Not much, I’m an open book. Maybe how much time I actually spend alone for an extravert or that I have a Hannah Montana tattooed on my foot. Or that I sneak into the studio early mornings to write songs on the grand piano in Studio C. Every legend has played that piano.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Morgangrows
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-g-256051205?trk=people-guest_people_search-card
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRwYGV2Od3wUdtEbvASqtVA
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/morgangrows
- Other: https://www.paramountrecording.com
Image Credits
First photo (album artwork) was shot and edited by photographer Samone Zena
