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    114 Stars

    MON, 10 Feb 2020

    Gryffin

    @ Spotify O-EAST / TOKYO, JAPAN

    Electronic
    Live
    Gryffin
 

Q1:You started with classical music on the piano at age 7, played classic rock when you picked up the electric guitar when you were a preteen, had a band when you were in high school, and were interested in the dance music of artists like Skrillex and Avicii. Your musical history has been influenced by many different genres over the years, but why did you end up more on the dance music side of things? Why is dance music appealing to you?

Gryffin:When I was in college, that's really when my appetite for dance music grew and I've just always loved it. It also had to do a lot with timing as dance music was exploding when I started the Gryffin project and I had a vision for the project from the get-go. Dance music is appealing to me because it's unlike any other genre. It's very production-based in the sense of drawing emotions from the listener. Not many other genres depend on the production to really serve as the base for the overall song. However, one thing I definitely try to do with the Gryffin project is incorporate elements of rock, pop, alternative, hip-hop, and other genres to stand out.


Q2:You received much attention with remixes when you debuted, and later you started working on original songs. Is there any difference in technique or way of thinking between remixes and original productions?

Gryffin:Definitely. With remixes, you already have a reference point. When you create the remix, you really are just re-imagining the original in your own style and flair, which I love. With originals though, you're really making something from ground zero, which is definitely more difficult but in the end more gratifying I think.


Q3:Your debut album "Gravity", just released the other day, has beautiful melodies that are both light and bright, and each vocal is a perfect match making for a truly “Gryffin” emotional experience. What was most memorable from when you were making the album?

Gryffin:Oh man, they were all memorable in their own way, but if I had to pick one, it was probably Need Your Love with Seven Lions and Noah Kahan. It was a song that just came together super organically, and Jeff (Seven Lions) and Noah are two super awesome and down to earth dudes. I had a blast working with both of them on this record.
 

Q4 How was your performance at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in your hometown? You also appeared in the largest US festival, Coachella, and have gained an even larger following beyond just dance music fans. How was your appearance in Coachella?

Gryffin:Bill Graham was insane because as you said it was in my hometown and I had been to other concerts there as a kid so that was super surreal to sell out my own headline show. With Coachella, that was really an "oh wow" moment this year. Some people were saying we drew the biggest crowd of the weekend for the Sahara Tent (where I played), but it was really just everything coming together. It was the first time we debuted the Gravity festival set, it was during sunset so the atmosphere was perfect, and we came out with an orchestra during Weekend 1 to perform two songs with us which was super special.


Q5 You released tracks on the Internet that resulted in being contacted by labels and receiving offers for DJ gigs, further expanding the scope of your work and increasing your popularity steadily. Please share any tips you have for promoting yourself well on the internet.

Gryffin:he number one tip I have for promoting yourself is first, define your sound and find a way to stand out. If you can find a way to stand out and attract fans, people will find you. Second, you need to figure out where people are listening to the music you're trying to make. Whether it be Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, YouTube, you need to find out where people with similar tastes are listening and then find ways to promote yourself within those pools.


Q6:As you are a Japanese descendant with your mother coming from Japan, please tell us if you have any plans for collaborations with Japanese artists ahead of your show in Japan next February or in the future, or if you have any ideas for activities related to Japan.

Gryffin:I currently don't have any plans to collaborate with any Japanese artists but I'm super open to it and would love to. So if you have any ideas, let me know!


Q8 Please share a message for your fans on iFLYER. 

Gryffin:Just thank you for supporting my music and believing in me. I'm very excited to come back to Japan in February for my show and I hope everyone comes out for it!