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10 Questions with ... Griffin House
July 15, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I got into music just trying to be like the people I listened to or saw on TV. I figured you just got a record deal, made music, played shows, and someone else figured out all the rest. It's turned into me being a small business owner who spends his time typing his own interviews, checking his e-mail, doing social media posts, paying taxes and bills, organizing tours with his agent, planning for his family's future, all the responsible grown-up parent stuff. I feel less like a rock star and more like a traveling hardware store owner
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1. Now that we are halfway through the year, how has 2019 been treating you?
Did you say half-way through 2019? I keep seeing "half-way through life" ... I may be having a mid-life crisis, ha ha. When I started music, people talked about wanting to set me up for a 30-year career instead of a flash-in-the-pan, overnight success, here today and gone tomorrow. Well, my first record came out in 2004, so I'm halfway through that 30-year career. I might be on the Willie Nelson plan, though, so maybe I'll just keep going and make it a 60-year career.
2. What are some goals that you have for yourself this year?
I don't really have any goals. I'm so not in control of what happens in the universe and I'm starting to get that. I used to think I was; I set goals as a youngster moving to Nashville in the music business, and I achieved some of them, but these days the inverse often feels true. The harder you try, sometimes the harder it is. I'm just trying to make great music and stay steady and leave the outcome to God, the Universe, whatever you want to call it. Just trying to be a wave in the ocean.
3. Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician?
I sang "Johnny B. Goode" on-air guitar in my second-grade class, re-enacting the scene from "Back to the Future," so maybe I always wanted to do this. I didn't start playing guitar until I was 18. I gave up a golf scholarship to go to school at Miami University, then I had to figure out who I was other than a kid who turned down a golf scholarship. I kind of assumed I'd be on track for the golf career in some capacity, but college made it possible to go somewhere new and figure out who I wanted to be. I just latched onto U2 and wanted to be like Bono. So, I imagined that I could be that. Over the years, my influences changed, and I learned how to write songs and perform, and I slowly let go of trying to imitate and follow other archetypes and just settled into being myself.
4. Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else?
I'm not fulfilled, really. I'm naturally restless; that's why I started playing music in the first place! I vent those feelings and try to fill a void. It's hard work, it's not for everyone, and it's frustrating a lot of the time.
But it's a great feeling to sing for folks who come see you play, and I always enjoy every second of that. I've been lucky to be able to play music for a living for 15 or more years and at the same time, there's always a "not enough" feeling that follows me around everywhere. Not sure what else I'd do at this point! I think I'm pretty good at my own little show that I put on, but who knows what life has in store? I'm open to anything, I've always been a little bit of a Renaissance (man) person, so maybe I'll transition into something else one day.
5. What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career?
I'm surprised by who I am today compared to the 22-year-old who started. I got into music just trying to be like the people I listened to or saw on TV. I figured you just got a record deal, made music, played shows, and someone else figured out all the rest. It's turned into me being a small business owner who spends his time typing his own interviews, checking his e-mail, doing social media posts, paying taxes and bills, organizing tours with his agent, planning for his family's future, all the responsible grown-up parent stuff. I feel less like a rock star and more like a traveling hardware store owner.
6. Congrats on your just released 13th album, Rising Star. Is it hard to believe that you have put out that much music?
Yeah, it's quite a few albums. Especially considering I don't have much time to write these days. I used to feel like I could crank out three records a year. Now it's like one every three years. But I'm busy with touring and being a dad, husband, small business owner, and professional worrier and over-thinker.
7. What was it like starring in the full-length documentary film also titled "Rising Star"?
It wasn't my idea to make the film. It was filmmaker Shane Drake's idea, but I was ready to tell my story. I feel like a lot of the struggle of being in the music business that I've mentioned in this interview was ripe to be talked about. It was relieving on one level to tell it all, but also hard to be that vulnerable and exposed and honest.
8. Can you talk about a few of your favorite songs on Rising Star?
They are all my favorite for different reasons. I love the song "Rising Star" for its sense of humor; it seems to always make people laugh at shows. It's kind of poking fun at the cliches of Country music and the music business in general. I love "Crash and Burn;" the recording reminds me of what I love about Pink Floyd, plus I love the lyrics and the vibe. My favorite song is probably "Cup of Fulfillment;" it's a very moving song, and I sure hope it gets a chance to get out there and be heard. Further, it was really a treat to sing a duet with Joy Williams (Civil Wars) and also write a couple songs with Brian Elmquist of The Lone Bellow.
9. You have toured with so many incredible artists; what touring memory sticks out the most to you now?
Probably running around the arena high-fiving the crowd the first time I played with John Mellencamp. Also, the times I opened for The Cranberries, especially in San Francisco. I figured out how to win over crowds and I loved that feeling. It's one place where I'd like to think I'm very mentally tough. When I'm on stage, I'm very focused and positive. It's the rest of life that's tricky.
10. At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?
I hope they sink into the words and the feeling of it. Different songs are for different things. Some are to rock out, some are to cry, some are to think. I try to make sure that each song I make is doing something well for the listener. Good songs always have a healing element to them. And I hope mine do that for people.
Interview by Leah Brungardt
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