Story & Lesson Highlights with Christopher Morelli of Downtown Orlando

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Christopher Morelli. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
Back in 2023, Quantum EDM hosted the Electronic Railroad Festival at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. It was unique in that it featured three full-scale stages and focused on showcasing smaller artists. Hundreds of people attended, and it was the first time I played a set for a large crowd. That set was a moment I’ll never forget, it fueled my love for live performance.
Since then, I’ve been chasing that feeling that comes from performing for a crowd, taking people on a journey through music, and watching the energy of the crowd as they move together in unison. There’s nothing quite like knowing that, even for a little while, you’ve helped people forget the outside world and connect with one another through sound.

To be honest, I’m not sure if I will ever stop, I’m not sure I could. If I stopped, I think I’d lose a part of myself. Music for me isn’t just about the performance, it’s about expression, connection, and purpose. Without it, there would be a silence that no amount of ordinary routine could fill. Music provides and outlet for my thoughts and meaning to my time so stopping would feel like cutting off the part of me that understands how to communicate without words.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Christopher Morelli, and I produce and perform under the name SOMNiTY. The name comes from “somni” (meaning sleep or dreams) and “-ity” (state of being), so together SOMNiTY means being of, or related to, sleep or dreams.
I was first inspired to start making music after attending Forbidden Kingdom in 2020 and seeing Excision perform. The energy of that show—the way the entire crowd moved together as one—lit something in me. I knew I wanted to create that same experience for others, where people could escape and just feel.

During the pandemic, I taught myself how to produce music and launched my first project, SHAMAN, which eventually evolved into SOMNiTY in April 2025. The rebrand came about for several reasons including some practical and legal reasons, but it also felt creatively right. The new name better reflects the feel of my signature sound and gives the project a unique identity that stands out in the crowd.

In the last few years since I began making and performing music, I’ve performed at several festivals including Groove Cruise, Home Bass, Sol Fest, Florida Groves, Zen Awakening, and Electronic Railroad, as well as playing support for artists such as PIERCE and IllGates. I have also have continued refining my sound while learning from artists like XOTIX, Star Seed, and Super Future.

Most recently, I released my single “Vibe and Grind” on June 26, the first track from my upcoming three-track EP, “Rainbow Swamp.” The EP explores the beauty of transformation, the idea that every ending can become something new, different, and beautiful. It’s also a journey through the funk and soul bass genre, serving as an homage to artists like GRiZ and Daily Bread, who have deeply inspired me throughout my musical journey.

At its core, SOMNiTY isn’t just about music, it’s an experience. It’s a dream shared between artist and listener, and an invitation for everyone to become a SOMbody.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work are definitely my parents. Growing up, my dad worked long hours, often taking overtime shifts, to make sure our family was always provided for. His dedication and consistency taught me what real commitment looks like. My mom, too, has been a huge influence. Even after moving to Florida and reaching a point where she could have retired, she chose to keep working so she could help my brother and me with our college expenses.
They’ve always pushed me to be the best I can be and that anything worth doing is worth doing right and to the fullest. Everything I do creatively and professionally comes from the work ethic they instilled in me.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, I think about giving up all the time. There are moments when a piece of content doesn’t perform well on social media, a show doesn’t draw the crowd you hoped for, or a song gets off to a slow start and it’s easy to start questioning yourself. You wonder what the point of continuing is, or whether it’s even worth it.

But the truth is, I’m not sure I could stop. I don’t think I know how anymore. Music has become such an integral part of who I am that I wouldn’t know what to do with my time, or what life would even look like, if I just walked away. Plus, with the work ethic my parents instilled in me, I don’t think I’d ever be able to quit without being absolutely certain I’d given it everything I had.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest lies in the industry, on both the professional and consumer side, is the belief that there’s some massive gap between headliners and smaller artists. Of course, some artists are more experienced, more skilled, or more in tune with their audiences, but the difference isn’t nearly as big as people tend to believe.

When it comes to live performance, I truly believe that if a smaller artist were given the same production quality, stage setup, and promotional support as a headliner, they could deliver a show every bit as powerful and memorable. It often comes down to opportunity and access to resources, not a gap in talent or creativity. You can see this when headliners play tracks from smaller artists (often the same music those artists perform in their own sets) or when a smaller artist suddenly blows up. Usually, very little has changed except the platform and visibility they’ve been given. There are countless talented artists out there who just need that one chance to show what they can do on a bigger stage, because often, nobody cares until everyone cares.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I think you have to. Even when no one else is watching, you know what you’ve done. You’re the only one who truly knows whether you’ve given your best-your full effort, or whether you’ve held back. At the end of the day, you have to live with yourself and the truth of that. Praise fades, but integrity lasts. Giving your best isn’t always about the recognition you might receive, it’s about knowing you didn’t lie to yourself or let yourself down.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Devin Crews
Joshua Fernandez
Domonique Stockon

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than