Draft:Morpheus (musician)

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. NocturnalScribe (talk) 21:35, 30 April 2025 (UTC)

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Morpheus
Birth name	Martijn Verhagen
Born	's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Origin	Netherlands
Genres	pop-noir, chanson, cinematic
Occupation	Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)	Vocals, keyboards
Years active	2023–present
Labels	Self-released
Website	Official website

Martijn Verhagen (born in 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands), known professionally as Morpheus, is a Dutch singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. His music blends pop-noir, cinematic elements, and ambient electronica with influences from classic chanson. He gained recognition with his debut EP Morphosis (2023) and is known for introspective lyrics and emotionally charged performances.

Biography

Morpheus began making music after the loss of his mother. His stage name refers to Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. He describes the name as a way to build a world around his music, allowing him to remain strong while expressing vulnerability:

"Even though my songs are hyper-personal, Morpheus helps me create a world around my music. It allows me to be strong while staying vulnerable."

In an interview with Behind The Blinds, he said:

"The Greek God Morpheus was the bringer of dreams and could shape and motivate people towards action. I hope to do the same with my songs."

Career

2023: Morphosis

Morpheus debuted with the EP Morphosis in 2023, with each track recorded live in a single take. The EP includes the singles:

• "Morphosis"
• "Gold"
• "Burning in Paris"
• "Leap of Faith"

"Burning in Paris" is written from his father's perspective, reflecting on missed chances and loss:

"My mom had so many dreams that were postponed for years. After she passed away, I found a bucket list with all the things she wanted to do when she retired. One of them was going to France to visit her sister and reconnect with the culture she liked the most."

2024: The Ascent

His second EP, The Ascent (2024), produced by Thomas Azier, marked a musical expansion incorporating more electronic and orchestral elements. Singles from the EP include:

• "The Sunrise"
• "Ride or Die"
• "Pearl"
• "Ascend to Heaven"

Live performances

Morpheus has performed at festivals such as Eurosonic Noorderslag (2024, 2025), Best Kept Secret Festival, and Grasnapolsky. He has played in venues including Melkweg, EKKO, Simplon, and De Roma. His first tour included nearly sold-out shows in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Groningen, and Antwerp.

He has supported artists such as Thomas Azier, Kovacs, and Ásgeir and also performed internationally in Istanbul and Budapest.

Media coverage

Morpheus received international attention with an interview and photoshoot in the Turkish fashion magazine L'Officiel Türkiye, which described his music as:

"His music is a deep emotional journey for the listener, where vulnerability meets strength, crafting a sound that is uniquely his own.”

In 2024, he performed live on the VPRO program On Stage alongside pianist and composer Joep Beving with their unreleased collaboration "The Blue Hour".

Musical style and influences

Morpheus combines elements of classic chanson, ambient-electronica, and poetic storytelling. His influences include Björk, Kate Bush, Arooj Aftab, and Sufjan Stevens. He believes in the power of simplicity and often records songs in one take to preserve raw emotion. He also finds inspiration in nature:

"Nature’s serenity speaks to me; it inspires me deeply."

Discography

EPs

• Morphosis (2023)
• The Ascent (2024)

Singles

• "Morphosis"
• "Gold"
• "Burning in Paris"
• "Leap of Faith"
• "The Sunrise"
• "Ride or Die"
• "Pearl"
• "Ascend to Heaven"

Upcoming album

• Title TBD (expected in 2026)

External links

• Official website
• Morpheus on Spotify
• Morpheus on YouTube