Morris plays with perspective

Singer/songwriter Eliot Morris says he thinks and talks too much.

"That's why I play music and write songs," Morris said by phone from Birmingham, Ala. "There is so much happening in the world that I can see.

"But I don't always write about my own life. I write about my life, but I also write in different characters' perspectives. I've written songs from a female point of view, and I get teased about it, but I also write from my point of view and other people's points of view. It's my way of participating in life."

Morris said recording his debut album, "What's Mine Is Yours," was a great experience that at times caused him to feel overwhelmed. "I was overtaken by the inspiration of it all. It was what I expected and more.

"The people I worked with inspired me. The process was also inspiring. I worked with Nickel Creek and they showed me some things when it came to song craft. And I can say that I am pleased at how the album turned out."

Some of the songs appearing on the album had been recorded earlier, for Morris' extended-play CD. "I had a lot of other songs as well that I wanted to record and that I really liked, but when we got down to it we wanted to make an album that stood on its own. We didn't want to make an album of songs, but an album as one collective body of work that flowed together."

Working on songs, making albums and touring are what Morris lives for, he said. "My life is comfortable. I know who I am. And my profession helps me find out more about myself. I'm constantly learning more about myself as the days go on. I found that, for some people, if they don't know who they are and they get into this business, they can lose themselves totally. I like to connect with people and what's going on around me. And making music is the best way for me to do that.

"When I decided to make an album, I figured that I only have one shot to make an impression. And I tried to make it the best I could."

If you go

What: Ari Hest, Eliot Morris

Where: Suede, Park City

When: Monday, 9 p.m.

How much: $8

Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com