Meet Griff: Generation Z’s Modern Muse
Photography: IS Studios
Ricardo Castano
Words: Guilherme Ferrari / gferrari____
For British pop artist Griff / wiffygriffy, it was the music that first moved her when she was only 10 years old. Growing up writing songs, learning how to produce, and creating her own clothes, she embraced the experience and channelled what she saved into her music making. Continuing to evolve as an artist and a human, she reimagines the world and hopes for a brighter future.
Her debut EP “The Mirror Talk” released last year documents one-woman powerhouse, across four songs that sit in a sweet spot between pop and alt-R&B. In February, she released “Good Stuff,” a beautiful ballad about her family’s experience fostering children. Here she opens up about her new single “1,000,000 X Better” in collaboration with HONNE, and how the way she creates will change after COVID-19.
Watch the video for “1,000,000 X Better” released this week:
When did you first start writing?
I think I probably wrote my first whole song around 10 years old. It definitely wasn't any good. But it was around the time my dad bought my brother logic and speakers to produce, I realised I could also use it to record my own stuff and make songs.
How was learning about production all on your own?
I mean I was just doing it out of boredom because it was a fun thing to do other than do your homework. The basics of how to produce are actually quite simple especially when you have YouTube to teach you most of it. But I'm definitely still making it up as I go along.
What was it that you were looking for when you were first looking at music and musicians?
I don't know. I think I was attracted to interesting sounds, and pop melodies, and artists that really felt like they wanted to make art and build a whole world around them.
What’s the story behind your new song “1,000,000 X Better”?
So I've been a huge fan of HONNE for years. And they sent me a DM back in December saying they liked my music. And I didn't realise they were from London so I just replied saying if they were ever in London I'd love to work. And then it turns out they live in London and weren't on tour, so literally the following week we got in the studio and wrote this song. And they had this title written down and we ended up just writing a song about that one person that can make you feel 1,000,000 x Better.
What makes you feel 1,000,000 X better? What was it like collaborating with HONNE?
I think writing good songs makes me feel 1,000,000 x Better. And yeah they're such nice guys, genuinely really fun to write with them. And I would love to keep working with them. I'd especially love them to produce some more stuff for my project because they have such an interesting production style.
This year you performed live for the first time, how was that? Are you excited to perform again after the lockdown?
Yeah it was crazy doing my first headline show in London. It was the first time I had experienced people actually buying tickets that weren't my friends and family and come to a show and sing my own songs back to me. So yeah, when lockdown is over I cant wait to do it again.
You write and produce your own music, and also make your own clothes. Do you think the way you create will change after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yeah probably. I think post COVID there's gonna be such new energy in everyone, that I think hopefully what I create will be better and more inspired.
What’s something that people don’t understand about your Chinese/Jamaican heritage that you would hope to bring awareness to?
I guess most people wouldn't realise they are two opposite cultures to come together. And the traditional Chinese mindsets that my relatives have, meant that it was completely frowned upon for my mum to marry a black man. And so I guess if my mum didn't have such strong conviction to step out in faith to go against her parents, I wouldn't be alive today.
How does your platform on the Internet work? How does it feel being able to engage with your fans?
Yeah like anything it has its ups and it has its downs. I love being able to connect with people that are discovering my music. And that's been so important especially during COVID where even though I can’t meet people at shows at least I can still connect to them on social media. Equally I’m not always in the mood to post, or doing something interesting to post about so I try to keep a level of distance between my personal life and social media so I don't become obsessed with it.
What is next for Griff?
Before the end of the year, I have a super exciting collaboration on a dance song. And then I'm working on something christmassy. And then in the new year hopefully more good music and shows when we’re allowed to do them again.
Last, but not least, where do you eat your favorite french fries?
Oooo... we don't have that many places in the UK. five guys are pretty decent?