It's Better To Lift A Pen than curse the darkness…

This is about the voyage down the dark, choppy waters that is Morrison Creek. Born Vince Mirenzi, this 19 year old from Toronto , Canada, found peace in the prose of lyric and a mission in his music.

"Every emotion that runs through my body will ultimately flow out through the ink in my pen. I know what it feels like to be on the outside looking in, the inside looking out, and I know what it feels like to not know where you’re looking from at all. We all do. My hope is that the songs I write have the ability to define even the slightest moment in the life of others."

"My philosophy on life is extremely simple.. You only live once, dream big or go home. I feel lost in a dream, but I would never want it any other way. I am an incredibly large believer in fate.. I believe that things do happen for a reason. I am, however, not a believer in destiny. I do not believe that I have a map laid out for me in life, because if I did, it must have been pretty awful. I have no idea where I'm going."

Despite the lack of a hand on the keel, Vince has it on faith that he's flowing where he should be headed, with all the whirls and rocks, eddies and snags that may be found on the way. "Life is extremely precious, and you never know what tomorrow holds. It is crucial that you live every moment as if it were your last, because you never know what is around the corner. I think that is also one of the reasons I truly love writing. It allows you to leave a legacy that can never be forgotten, because it is written. Even when my time comes many years from now, my words, and the songs that I wrote, will have the ability to live on for an eternity. It is actually really cool now that I think of it."

Even eternity has a beginning, and his began with all the makings of a bright future. "I was blessed to have been brought into this earth in a very supportive family. There have been so many moments where my parents could have given up on me, or forced me to chase down dreams that were not my own. Yet after nineteen years, they still support all that I do, and for that I am extremely thankful. I am also the oldest brother of three siblings, and I believe that by not being conventional and by trying to follow my dreams, I am hopefully showing my younger sister and brother that it is okay to do things your own way, even when it does not appear to be the most popular choice. There are so many people in this world, who follow the status quo, and fail to chase after their dreams, even when they have more than enough talent to do so. That always seems to strike a nerve with me, an individual with all the talent in the world, not taking advantage of the gift they were given, " Vince voices feelingly. "My childhood was great for the most part. I played a variety of sports, most notably baseball, which I played for thirteen seasons and coached for one. I did well in school, and I hung out with my friends. I spent many days in summer at Toronto Blue Jays baseball games in Toronto with my Dad, that is definitely one of my favourite past times."

Then, without warning, his life took a sharp turn from tranquil to turbid and Vince had to learn to sink or swim. It was music that kept him afloat. "Five years ago, I became the victim of an anxiety disorder that altered my life in a million different ways. It made me more vulnerable, it left me feeling isolated, and it tore holes in my social life that were broken beyond repair. I would lie on my bed for hours upon hours, just listening to the radio. Once I had heard them play the same song twice, I’d switch stations. One day, I tried something I had never done before.. I picked up a pen and grabbed a sheet of paper, and I wrote my heart out. At the time, this proved to be an escape from the never-ending nocturnal nights I faced. Ultimately, something incredible happened. Not only did I escape the disorder, but my escape transformed into my lifelong passion. I write songs about anything and everything. I also have a passion for screenwriting, I had been a fan of movies my entire life until about two years ago, when I came across screenwriting and really enjoyed it. Every time I work on a script, I feel as though I am creating this brand new person, flaws and all. It feels as though the ink in my pen is their life support, it’s quite something."

He continues, "My entire life has a soundtrack. Every moment I have ever encountered has a song that parallels it entirely.. For me, personally, one of the reasons I write is because I want to be that song. I want to be the guy who writes a song that every individual on earth, regardless of where they are, who they are, or what they do, is able to relate to in their own way, even if it is for a second. That is what music means to me. Music means emotion. Music means feeling. Music means hope."

Gifted in word and taken to waxing philosophical, Vince's talent is very real and, though he compares his life to a dream, or even a nightmare at times, it shows strength that he still continues to row his boat. "I enjoy long walks on the beach, or to the convenience store, and I believe that banana medicine should be sold in two litre containers at all convenience stores," he jokes. "But in all seriousness, I’ve been writing for the past five years now, for artists worldwide as both a lyricist and a songwriter. I try my best to write at least one new set of lyrics each day. It really helps alleviate the stresses of life on a daily basis. The way I write my songs definitely seems to be different than others. As I write lyrics, I tend to have a melody in my head. Since I am not the strongest on guitar, when I collaborate with other artists who are using my songs, I will actually record a vocal of the song’s melody. I have not come across another songwriter who does the same."

"I network through MySpace and YouTube constantly, and it has brought some incredible artists into my life and has allowed me to work with them. I find it awesome to collaborate not only musically, but culturally as well. As of right now, I’ve got a few projects in the works. I have also been working on a debut EP I will hopefully complete by the very end of this Spring or the beginning of this Summer."

"I tend to write songs that are raw and real, emotionally commercial. What I mean by that is that I write songs which most, if not all, people can relate to. We’ve all had rough patches; we’ve all been in love, and everything in between. I believe the most important tool a songwriter needs, is the ability to relate to an audience. Songwriting is one of the few careers where words speak louder than actions."

Those that experience the lyrics of Morrison Creek lapping against their souls hear well what he's saying, "The one thing I have realized throughout my life, especially in recent years, is that you only live once. I would much rather live a less luxurious life doing what I love, than come across riches by not being true to myself."