- Bryon Harris
Haley Griffin - Music Interview
As Haley Griffin approached her unconventional 2020 graduation from Berklee College of Music, she did the only thing musicians can do during a pandemic: create art. Her debut song, Ferris Wheels, was the first song she wrote when she was 16, and with the help of her producers Philip Etherington and Charlie Westphal, the track has been brought to life.
What got you into music?
My ears! I have been in love with music my whole life. We have dreadful home videos of two year old me screaming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star; I was always singing. When I was six, my parents noticed I wasn't half-bad anymore and enrolled me into voice lessons. It's been constant since.
What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else?) Tell us why.
Definitely songwriting. I've always had a deep need to tell stories. I had a hard time choosing between English and music for college, so there's something so powerful about belting out your own words and experiences and really meaning it.
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?
I typically don't do studios, since they're more expensive and limited on time. I record in my room, in my producer's room, with towels and pillows covering the cracks in the windows and door frames. It gives you more time to get comfortable and get the good take. It's intimate. And with the amazing technology we have these days, you don't need all of the bells and whistles to get commercial quality. Billie Eilish is living proof of that.
As a songwriter or musician, are there any obstacles you have had to overcome or obstacles that you are facing right now in your career?
I think the profession is an obstacle. Music's never been known as the easy career path, but it's so worth it to put yourself out there and create art, because sharing it is so satisfying, and I know there's been music that I've heard that has a small audience, but has had a major impact on me. If I could do that for one single person, I'd be happy.
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?
There are eight groups that come to mind, but if I have to pick, I'd say Kings of Convenience. Their music is really special to me. They're lyrical geniuses and have changed my approach to words. I love how they can take such an intimate scene and turn it into something so real and full of emotion.
To date, what do you think your best song is? Can you describe the song for us?
It's one that's not out yet! It's my third release, and it's very hook-based, so it gets stuck in your head. My family can't wait for it to be released, because they're in agreement that it's my best. It's good to know that my songs keep getting better, so I know that my skillset is growing. I can thank Berklee College of Music for that.
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
Two more songs are coming your way! A single at a time. The next one's a piano ballad with lush vocals, and the third's an electro-pop sultry song. After that, I'll have some catching up to do, but I'm so excited to move onto new material, because I've been holding onto these tracks for a while.
Tell us where fans can access your music?
Ferris Wheels was released on May 10th and it is available on all streaming platforms under the artist name HaleyGriffin.
Listen on Spotify. Find on Apple Music. Connect on Facebook or Instagram.