{{Short description|English singer and songwriter (born 1996)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = Luvcat (54543751201).jpg | caption = Morgan performing as Luvcat at Wide Awake 2025 | birth_name = Sophie Morgan Howarth | birth_date = 20th December 1996 | birth_place = Liverpool, England | origin = | genre = {{Flatlist| * Alternative rock * dark pop * gothic/noir * alternative folk }} | occupation = | instrument = {{Flatlist| * Vocals * piano * guitar }} | years_active = 2013–present | label = | website = }}
'''Sophie Morgan Howarth''' (born 1996), also known as '''Luvcat''', is an English singer-songwriter. After gaining initial prominence as an acoustic artist under the name '''Sophie Morgan''' through three EPs, she formed Luvcat in 2023.<ref name="utr jun 24"/> Luvcat's debut album ''Vicious Delicious'' was released on 31 October 2025.
==Biography== Born in Liverpool, Sophie Morgan Howarth was raised in Rainhill and Widnes, Cheshire in Northwest England.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://thisissoundcheck.co.uk/watch-sophie-morgan-hey-annie/|title=WATCH: Sophie Morgan – 'Hey Annie'|work=This Is Soundcheck|author=Glenn|date=18 October 2017 |access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> She attended Tower College.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/lancashire/22622747.tower-college---leading-independent-school-3---16-year-olds/|title=Tower College – A Leading Independent School for 3 – 16 Year Olds|work=Lancashire Life|date=29 May 2024|access-date=10 July 2025}}</ref>
===2013–2021: Beginnings as Sophie Morgan === After a chance meeting with the Verve's Simon Jones, whilst singing in church at a friend's wedding, Morgan began skipping private school<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rightchordmusic.co.uk/best-of-amazing-tunes-no-38-sophie-morgan/|title=Best of Amazing Tunes No. 38 Sophie Morgan – Right Chord Music|date=24 April 2015|work=Right Chord Music|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> and recording in Jones' Chester studio,<ref name="auto" /> first appearing in the media in 2013 around age 16. She performed at the Warrington Music Festival that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/leisure/interviews/10813751.make-songwriter-sophie-your-choice-for-mtv/|title=Make songwriter Sophie your choice for MTV!|work=Warrington Guardian|first=David|last=Morgan|date=15 November 2013|access-date=11 April 2025}}</ref> In addition to singing, she called piano her "main instrument" and also played guitar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ourstage.com/sophiemorgan|title=Sophie Morgan, Widnes|work=Our Stage|access-date=10 July 2025}}</ref>
Morgan released her first single "Marionette" in 2016, followed six months later by "Quietly", which picked up support from BBC Music Introducing and BBC 6 Music along the way.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hartmedia.co.uk/album/sophie-morgan/|title=Sophie Morgan|website=Hartmedia.co.uk|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> Morgan's debut EP ''Annie'' was released on 6 October 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2018/01/10/album-review-sophie-morgan-annie-ep/ |title=Album Review: Sophie Morgan – Annie EP |website=Eartothegroundmusic.co.uk |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bittersweetsymphonies.co.uk/2017/10/18/ep-review-sophie-morgan-annie/|title=EP REVIEW: Sophie Morgan – 'Annie'|first=Emily|last=Oldfield|website=Bittersweetsymphonies.co.uk|date=18 October 2017|access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> After applying for the rights to record a version of "The Whole of the Moon",<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://epigram.org.uk/music/2017/11/interview-sophie-morgan|title=An interview with: Sophie Morgan -|date=7 November 2017|website=Epigram.org.uk|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> which features on the EP, Morgan was invited on tour with the Waterboys across the UK and Europe through the autumn of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gigjunkies.com/band-reviews/the-waterboys-sophie-morgan-symphony-hall-birmingham-19-october-2017/|title=Gig Junkies " Blog Archive " The Waterboys + Sophie Morgan @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham – 19 October 2017|website=Gigjunkies.com|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref>
Her second EP ''Sons & Daughters'' was released on 21 September 2018;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/discovery/sophie-morgan-sons-and-daughters|title=Sophie Morgan finds contentedness in mellow track "Sons & Daughters"|website=The Line of Best Fit|access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> its titular single "Sons & Daughters" received critical acclaim for the quality of her voice and simplicity of its delivery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/videos/sophie-morgan-charms-with-sons-daughters|title=Sophie Morgan Charms With 'Sons & Daughters'|website=Clash Magazine|date=4 September 2018 |access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> In 2019, she covered the National's "Bloodbuzz Ohio"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/sophie-morgan-shares-her-stark-affecting-take-on-bloodbuzz-ohio/|title=Sophie Morgan Shares Her Stark, Affecting Take On 'Bloodbuzz Ohio'|work=Clash|first=Robin|last=Murray|date=1 February 2019|access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> and performed at Warrington Music Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://warringtonmusic.co.uk/2019/04/03/full-lineup-announced-for-warrington-music-festival/|title=Full Lineup announced for Warrington Music Festival|first=Lee|last=Harman|website=Warringtonmusic.co.uk|date=3 April 2019|access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> She released her third and final EP as Sophie Morgan in March 2020 titled ''Marmalade''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tunefountain.com/sophie-morgan-marmalade/|title=Sophie Morgan – Marmalade|work=Tunefountain.com|date=20 March 2020|access-date=11 April 2025}}</ref>
===2023–present: Luvcat=== In 2023, Morgan formed her alternative rock/dark pop project and alter ego called Luvcat, named after "The Love Cats" by the Cure, debuting with the single "Matador" in 2024.<ref name="utr jun 24">{{Cite web|url=https://www.undrtheradar.co.uk/all-features/luvcat-and-romantic-rock|title=The uprise of Luvcat and romantic rock.|work=Undr the Radar|first=Emma|last=Harrison|date=14 June 2024|access-date=11 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/this-aint-the-moulin-fucking-rouge-introducing-luvcat-the-new-theatrical-starlet-of-the-scene/|title=Introducing Luvcat with her theatrical debut, 'Matador'|work=Far Out|first=Lucy|last=Harbron|date=3 June 2024|access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> She also put together a band with Jack Fussey, Andy Richmond, Tom Fripp and Will Jaquet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northernmusicnetwork.com/tge-performers/kindelan|title=Luvcat|work=Northern Music Network|access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> They had their first headline show at Paper Dress Vintage in July,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/luvcats-debut-headline-show-sets-a-path-to-the-top/|title=A new star ascends: Luvcat's debut headline show sets a path to the top|work=Far Out Magazine|first=Lucy|last=Harbron|date=5 July 2024|access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> performed at All Points East, and supported the Last Dinner Party and Paris Paloma on tour. Luvcat's next singles "He's My Man", described as a murder ballad, and "Dinner @ Brasserie Zédel" were released in autumn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/luvcat-releases-music-video-for-sinister-new-single-hes-my-man-3798329|title=Luvcat releases music video for sinister new single 'He's My Man'|work=NME|first=Alex|last=Rigotti|date=30 September 2024|access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://readdork.com/news/luvcat-brasserie-zedel-video/|title=Luvcat has dropped a theatrical new video for her latest single 'Dinner @ Brasserie Zédel'|website=Readdork.com|date=12 December 2024|access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref>
The single "Love & Money" was released on Valentine's Day 2025 followed by "Lipstick" in May<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/luvcat-celebrates-valentines-day-with-new-track-love-money|title=Luvcat celebrates Valentine's Day with new track, "Love & Money"|work=The Line of Best Fit|author=Tyler Damara Kelly|date=14 February 2025|access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/luvcat_unleashes_darkly_seductive_single_lipstick/|title=Luvcat Unleashes Darkly Seductive Single "Lipstick"|work=Under the Radar|first=Andy|last=von Pip|date=13 May 2025|access-date=10 July 2025}}</ref> and the announcement of Luvcat's debut album ''Vicious Delicious'' for a Halloween release date, accompanied by the titular single in the summer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://readdork.com/news/luvcat-vicious-delicious/|title=Luvcat has announced her debut album 'Vicious Delicious' for Halloween|website=Readdork.com|first=Felicity|last=Newton|date=9 July 2025|access-date=10 July 2025}}</ref> Luvcat supported Sabrina Carpenter at BST Hyde Park,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://readdork.com/news/sabrina-carpenter-bst25-lineup/|title=Sabrina Carpenter has confirmed the full lineup for her BST Hyde Park shows, feat. Luvcat, SOFY, Chloe Qisha and more|website=Readdork.com|first=Sam|last=Taylor|date=30 May 2025|access-date=10 July 2025}}</ref> is headlining the Montreux Jazz Festival,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/montreux-jazz-festival-lineup-spotlight-stage-tickets-b2765123.html|title=Montreux Jazz Festival unveils Spotlight Stage lineup including rising British star Luvcat|work=The Independent|first=Roisin|last=O'Connor|date=6 June 2025|access-date=10 July 2025}}</ref> and has an upcoming headline tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukfestivalguides.com/news/11072025/luvcat-announces-debut-album-vicious-delicious-and-global-tour/|title=Luvcat Announces Debut Album 'Vicious Delicious' and Global Tour|work=UK Festival Guides|first=Ben|last=Robinson|date=11 July 2025|access-date=11 July 2025}}</ref>
==Artistry== Through her father, Morgan grew up listening to the likes of Nick Drake, Van Morrison, Nick Cave, the Cure, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and the Smiths. She recalls finding Avril Lavigne "badass" in her youth and getting into emo with My Chemical Romance. She discovered the likes of Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell and Carole King.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/features/meet-luvcat-the-singer-bringing-back-mystery-and-smoky-romance-to-music-44321/|title=Meet Luvcat, the singer bringing back mystery and smoky romance to music|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Nick|last=Reilly|date=31 October 2024|access-date=11 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/luvcat_on_poetry_pop_and_the_art_of_reinvention1/|title=Luvcat on Poetry, Pop, and the Art of Reinvention|work=Under the Radar|first=Andy|last=von Pip|date=14 March 2025|access-date=11 April 2025}}</ref>
Early in her career, Morgan leant towards alternative folk and country-influenced acoustic music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://studiopros.com/featured-artist-sophie-morgan|title=Featured Artist: Sophie Morgan|work=Studio Pros|date=4 January 2013|access-date=10 July 2025}}</ref> In 2018, James Fenny of Bellwood Music compared Morgan to Billie Marten, Jade Bird, Hannah Grace and Freya Ridings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://belwoodmusic.com/2018/09/27/spotlight-sophie-morgan/|title=Spotlight: Sophie Morgan|work=Belwood Music|first=James|last=Fenny|date=27 September 2018|access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref>
Luvcat has been described as alternative rock, romantic rock,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.undrtheradar.co.uk/all-features/luvcat-and-romantic-rock|title=The uprise of Luvcat and romantic rock.|work=Under the Radar|first=Emma|last=Harrison|date=14 June 2024|access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> and dark pop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://diymag.com/interview/luvcat-diy-class-of-2025|title=Class of 2025: Luvcat|work=DIY|first=Daisy|last=Carter|date=9 January 2025|access-date=11 April 2025}}</ref>
==Sophie Morgan discography== ===EPs=== * ''Annie'' (2017) * ''Sons & Daughters'' (2018) * ''Marmalade'' (2020)
===Singles=== * "Marionette" (2016) * "Sons & Daughters" (2018) * "Above You" (2018) * "Marmalade" (2020) * "Bar to Bar" (2020) * "If You Knew" (2020) * "Unwinnable War" (2020) * "Always" (2021)
==Luvcat discography== ===Albums=== * ''Vicious Delicious'' (2025)
===EP=== * ''Lovebites'' (2026)
===Singles=== * "Matador" (2024) * "He's My Man" (2024) * "Dinner @ Brasserie Zédel" (2024) * "Love & Money" (2025) * "Lipstick" (2025) * "Matador - Strings" (2025) * "Vicious Delicious" (2025) * "Blushing"(2025) * "He’s My Man (The Anniversary)" feat. John Cooper Clarke (2025) * "Vampire at the Beach" (2026)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.sophiemorgan.co.uk Sophie Morgan website] *[https://luvcat.co.uk/ Luvcat website]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Luvcat}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:Alternative pop musicians Category:English alternative rock singers Category:English pop rock singers Category:English women singer-songwriters Category:People from Rainhill Category:People from Widnes Category:Singers from Cheshire Category:Singers from Liverpool Category:Singers from Merseyside Category:Women gothic musicians Category:21st-century English women singers Category:21st-century English singer-songwriters