Entertainment Music Country Music Maren Morris Has Been 'Deeply Creative' amid Divorce and Pivot Out of Country Genre: 'There's a Lot to Write About' "I don't have to serve this machine of what I think country music was or what it expected me to be. I can just do my thing now," said the musician By Jack Irvin Jack Irvin Jack Irvin has over five years of experience working in digital journalism, and he’s worked at PEOPLE since 2022. Jack started in the industry with internships at Rolling Stone and Entertainment Tonight, and he worked as a freelance writer for publications including Bustle, MTV News, Shondaland, L’Officiel USA, Ladygunn, Flood and PopCrush before joining PEOPLE. In his current role, Jack covers daily music news and has interviewed both up-and-coming and established artists including Dolly Parton, Michelle Branch, Ashanti, Cyndi Lauper, Normani, Carly Rae Jepsen and Coco Jones. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 25, 2024 10:00PM EDT Comments Maren Morris in Toronto in September 2024. Photo: Emma McIntyre/EveryStory2024/WireImage Major personal and professional shifts are inspiring Maren Morris' new music. The "My Church" singer-songwriter, 34, appeared on the Sept. 25 episode of Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast and opened up about how creative she's been feeling after her divorce from ex-husband Ryan Hurd and pivoting out of the country genre. Morris spoke about tapping into a new creative space following "a huge 180 in my life in the last two years," telling the podcast host about her move from Columbia Records' country-focused Nashville label to the company's New York branch. Friendly Exes Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd Reunite as She Teases Son Hayes' Tennis Ambitions: 'Future Federer' "I think just retooling this genre shift kind of away from country and more so, like, in every realm, genre-less space, has been really tough but necessary and scary — just to walk away from something that I built for so long," she said. "I didn't fit it anymore. It didn't fit me." The Grammy winner then touched on her changing relationship to Hurd, 37, with whom she shares son Hayes Andrew, 4. "We're getting it together, but the co-parenting thing has been going well, and we're trying our best in this way, but it's still pretty fresh," she explained. "I have just been so deeply creative the last year because, probably, of all this transition." "There's a lot to write about, but, like, a freedom too," continued Morris. "I don't have to serve this machine of what I think country music was or what it expected me to be. I can just do my thing now." Maren Morris and Perfect Match Star Justin Assada Are Newly Dating (Exclusive Source) Maren Morris performs in San Francisco in May 2024. Steve Jennings/Getty The "Cut!" performer expressed feeling "lucky" to have the support of fans and "freedom" to work through the changes in her life. "But now it's like, the sky's the limit. Where do we go from here?" Morris released a new EP, Intermission, in August, and she has tour dates scheduled through the rest of the year, including opening slots for Pink. However, she doesn't want to spend all her time working. "I also know when I have to say no sometimes to opportunities because I don't wanna be gone all the time. I don't wanna be touring 280 days a year. Like, I want to be home," she told Shepard, 49. "I wanna be a good mom and also have a social life because then I really don't have anything to write about." Maren Morris New York City in August 2024. Santiago Felipe/Getty Images Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "If I'm not going through the s---show of dating, there is no album," added Morris, who publicly came out as bisexual in March. "The well has to be filled in that way." Recently, PEOPLE learned the "Circles Around This Town" artist was newly dating Justin Assada of Netflix's Perfect Match, though their current relationship status is unknown. Close