e8: Griffin Anthony

"If John Prine and Bill Withers were to somehow have an offspring, odds are he would be a lot like Anthony" -- Vents Magazine

New York native Griffin Anthony recently released his third album, Refuge, which showcases the singer-songwriter's ability to balance ambition with humility via well-crafted character driven narratives. Recorded at East Nashville’s analog wonderland The Bomb Shelter, with producer Jon Estes (Kesha, John Paul White) and the additional aid of Grammy Award-winning Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Margo Price), the charming nine-song LP is replete with a profound perspective cloaked in simple eloquence spanning the themes of faith, isolation, transition, and hope.

Here, Griffin thoughtfully answers his Essential 8 where he shares the story behind Refuge, talks songwriting, Jack Daniels, not fearing saying no, and more.

​Is there a story behind your album’s title?
 The album’s title (Refuge) suggests a destination where safe-haven or happiness exists and its nine songs trace characters at different stages of their lives- on the quest to find that destination. Happiness is subjective and there’s really no single sure-bet formula of how or where to find it. We all take different paths towards it; and furthermore, how to learn to preserve it. That’s one of the aspects of the human condition that interests me the most me as a songwriter. As a species, we’re survivors. We’re all sorts of flawed, but somehow, still hopeful and resilient.
 
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? 
A little bit of personal experience and autobiographical stuff always seems to bleed into the material, but I often write from a fictitious first-person perspective. As therapeutic as songwriting can be, it’s my job and if a song doesn’t challenge me, it’s easy for me to get bored. I don’t always like the characters I write about, but I try to exhibit empathy for them and do them justice. Refuge definitely has a more a lyric-first approach to song construction- more so than my previous releases. This album spans some new thematic territory for my writing. One of its tunes, ’1954,’ tells the story of a WWII veteran on the ten year anniversary of D-day. With a tune like that, I drew from the stories that my grandfather used to tell, but wanted to illuminate the way PTSD was brushed under the rug during one of the most celebrated times in American history. I guess that’s a good example of a tune that, while interjecting some of my political beliefs, combines the experiences of others with well known historical events.
 
When/where do you do your best writing?
Usually between midnight and 5am. I like when it’s still dark outside and there’s minimal distractions. Once texts and emails start rolling in, I’m sunk. Gimmie a dark room with my Macbook and a piano or a guitar and I’m at my best. As long as hotel rooms are blacked-out dark and quiet, I’m good, but the majority of Refuge was written in my living room at home.

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What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
“Don’t be afraid to say no.” When I was just starting out, I agreed to every opportunity that came my way. I was hungry to sing my songs or write for any tv or film project that could introduce my music to more people and/or get me paid. After ten years of saying “yes” and trying to be as available as possible all the time, a musician buddy of mine convinced me that health and well-being will always trump money and popularity. If I could go back and start my career from the beginning, I’d be way more selective with the tours and projects that I agreed to tackle. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a workaholic, but I post to social media far less these days and try to sleep in my own bed as often as possible. I only agree to songwriting projects that I’m proud to be associated with- and I’ll only release tunes that I won’t mind playing night in and night out. I’d like to think I found my own niche “refuge” in the music industry without having to get sick or sell my soul.
 
Is there a recent release you cannot stop listening to?
I’m a Hiss Golden Messenger superfan. M.C. Taylor (Mike) is a dude that I really look up to on a professional, creative, and human level. Anything he and the band put out always fills me up. I’m also a big fan of anything Dave Cobb produces- from his work with Jason Isbell to most recently the new John Prine album.
 
What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
Write. Write. Write. Know your writing voice, command your instrument, and be crystal clear with your intentions before releasing any music to your name. Don’t let fame or money be your motivation… unless you’re a hip-hop artist. I also come from the “pick your lane and stay in it” school of thought - so doing one thing brilliantly is way more valuable than doing a bunch of things adequately.
 
Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative?
Jack Daniels straight up, please... every night prior to my vocal warm-up I’ll have one Jack Daniels, then I move on to throat coat tea. When I’m working with my backing band, I like to hold myself to higher standard of professionalism. With those full band dates, chances are there’s more money on the line and more folks in the seats- so I’d never want to jeopardize my bandmates pay by getting sloppy and not being able to to perform at my best. After ten years of working an average of two-hundred and fifty dates per year, alcohol can really complicate stuff so I’d say moderation is key.
 
Do you have a guilty pleasure song/artist?
(Haha) “Careless Whispers” always kicks my ass so hard. 
 
Official Website. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Spotify.

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