Morgan Evans Reveals the Personal Stories Behind ‘Steel Town’ While Cuddling Puppies On The Pupdate

Just days before the release of his long-awaited sophomore album, Morgan Evans stopped by the Country Now studio to cuddle with some puppies on Pupdate.

On an unusually warm late February day, Evans walked into the studio with a smile, and it’s safe to say he lit up the room with his energy. Not to mention, he caught everyone by surprise  because no matter how many times we see him, we always forget just how tall he is! 

He got settled on the floor before we unleashed the puppies, who were in foster care thanks to Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. A dog lover himself, Evans couldn’t help but smile as they ran to him.

“We always had a dog or two in the house growing up. I can’t remember a time in life where I didn’t really,” he shared. “We’ve got a little one at home at the moment, a Dachshund. Her name’s Dreamy. And she’s cute too.”

Evans admitted Dreamy hasn’t joined him on the road just yet, but she has joined his girlfriend, Laci Kaye Booth, on tour quite often.

“Dreamy’s been out on the road with Lace…She’s pretty good though. She doesn’t mind being in the car or whatever. She’ll sort of just blend into whatever’s going on. As long as she’s the center of attention, of course”

As the puppies ran around, wrestled, and even gave Evans a few kisses, the Australian-born singer/songwriter opened up about Steel Town, an 11-song project written throughout the past three years. Evans admitted it’s “been a long time coming” and shared that each song was chosen carefully, as they each represent his journey over the past few years.

“I put a lot of love and time and care into it,” he explained. “And it’s exciting to have it finally coming out in the world. I mean, it’s been a wild ride the last few years of my life personally and publicly and musically. And there’s some really low points in there.”

Amid one of those low points, Morgan Evans returned home to Newcastle, Australia, where he found himself again and discovered a sense of peace in his new normal. He admitted he hit his lowest point in the months following his very public divorce, and it was during this time that the album began to take shape.

“And I think probably somewhere during 2023 was like, if I had to say pick a one point for rock bottom, that might’ve been it. It was just like a complete disillusionment, I guess, with what I thought my life was and what was happening and where I was going. And I tried just about everything I could to find kind of my center again and feel grounded. And I think the journey of that beginning started in my hometown and going back there, which is why I called the record Steeltown. And the first song was ‘Be Back Home.’ And those two songs both have that sort of beauty of my hometown, but also the grit of my hometown and just sort of an appreciation for those people and those places.”

Among the additional nine songs on the project is “Letting You Go,” which Evans says sums up the entire album in a single track.

“I feel like you can only deal with life as it comes. And I feel like that part of my life came when it did, and these are the songs that came from that period. And so like I said, there’s all that sort of dealing with heartbreak and forgiveness and then eventually letting go, which I feel like this album kind of is just one big kind of release. And that song ‘Letting You Go’ is, I think the song version of the album almost in one three minute clip.”

Another standout track is “Two Broken Hearts,” a duet with Laci Kaye Booth, or “Lace” as Evans sweetly calls her. The song had been in his back pocket for “quite a long time,” and everything fell into place for it to become a duet after the two sang it together at home.

“Lace and I play music around the house a lot and we write music a lot and we are often singing songs together, but there’s a difference with some songs that you can that you can sing together and then then there’s other songs where you sing together and it takes the song to a whole other place,” he explained. “And ‘Two Broken Hearts’ definitely feels like one of those songs that when she started singing on it, especially that second verse and into the second chorus, it was like one of those moments where like light bulb, goosebumps, whatever you want to say. It was like, it has to be like that forever. And so I’m really stoked that she’s on that song and her voice is amazing, obviously.”

While he channeled his personal story and emotions into the songs on Steel Town, Morgan Evans shared his hope that listeners find themselves in the songs. 

Fans will get to hear these songs and more live on his headlining Steel Town Tour across Australia and New Zealand this summer, with Laci Kaye Booth opening.

Adopt These Puppies

Two of these sweet pups, Molasses and Sugar Cookie, are still looking for their forever homes. Those interested in adopting should contact Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, a foster-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Middle Tennessee and run primarily by volunteers. Proverbs is fully dedicated to the care and well-being of every animal they rescue. To learn more or make a donation, click HERE.