This past weekend, I had a chance to meet with the humble and ever so charming Griffin Anthony. Griffin is a Connecticut local, and a talented musician who works full time at his craft. Over the years, he has shared a stage with legendary artists like James Taylor and The Allman Brothers. He says he feels truly blessed for the opportunities he's had.
If there's one thing I learned about Griffin in the hour or so we spent together, it's that above all else, he is a songwriter. Griffin writes to relate to others, and that's where his passion for music lies.
Interestingly enough, life for Griffin didn't necessarily start off down musician's lane. Born and raised in upstate New York, Griffin grew up living with his mother, who was able to get him into a private school under financial aid. Apparently going to school with rich kids had its perks, as Griffin explained that a lot of his friends' parents were former musicians or involved in the music industry.
Music was always around Griffin and as an artist herself, Griffin's mother was also a big influence. However, at the time, sports were equally as important to Griffin. In fact, he accepted a scholarship to play baseball in college. And, during his college years, Griffin was an artist in hiding. He'd spend his days in the weight room, and nights locked in his dorm, playing guitar and writing songs. It was this time spent alone that made him realize writing songs was his true calling.
Today, Griffin works with four or five publishers and makes his living mainly off of composing songs for advertisers and other producers. The songwriter acknowledges that being a musician is a constant balance between conducting business and doing what you love. Griffin likes producing music for others; it has given him the opportunity to travel globally, to meet many new people, and to write music that, he says, he feels anyone can understand and appreciate. As he explains, "Music is the driving force in so many people's lives."
Nowadays, Griffin is most concerned with creating music for himself and for the everyday music seeker. Songwriting for Griffin is a process of observation and reflection. Though many of his songs are about his life, he also likes taking on other peoples' personas. He can get his inspiration from pretty much anywhere: conversations, movies or even just from watching some strangers in passing. What's most important to Griffin is that his music carries substance; that it possesses emotion and can resonate with others. The Canyon, released in 2012, was Griffin's first album to be produced, as the songwriter explains, fully under his terms.
For Griffin's upcoming shows in Connecticut click here.
*photo by Frankie Inzirillo
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