Meet Bethel's Own Griffin Anthony

If you haven't Heard Griffin Anthony yet you should be sure to make one of these upcoming shows:  

August 16th Westport Farmers Market

August 18th Sarah's WIne Bar in Ridgefiled

August 21st Little Pub in Ridgefield

August 25th Hasting on Hudson at the Hastings' Farmers Market

September 5th Old Greenwich Farmers Market

September 11th at the Ridgefield Playhouse

September 18th LIVE Green CT Festival in Norwalk. 

For more upcoming shows visit www.GriffinAnthony.com

 

 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Griffin and after reading this you will feel like you know him too!

Where did you grow up?  

                I spent the first chunk of childhood in Bedford, NY then moved to Brewster, NY a little later as a young teen. 

 What did you grow up listening to?

                My parents were into artists and bands like Steely Dan, Simply Red, The Gypsy Kings, The Doobie Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Kenny Rankin, and Sting. And I still play those records on a regular basis.  

However, I immediately wanted to be a musician once my ears heard The Beatles. Santa brought me some Beatles cassette tapes in my Christmas stocking when I was eleven years old. It was all over from there...

Tell me about your education and how it switched tracks to music?

                I went to a small private school called Rippowam Cisqua in Bedford, NY from 3rd-9th grade and then graduated high school in 2002 from Wooster School in Danbury. I was a jock/musician. Weird- right? I was equally as into trying to improve my curve ball as I was trying to improve my chops on the drum kit. Its seems though, baseball won out when trying to determine my college track. I traveled to Jacksonville University to pitch for the baseball team. It was quite a culture shock going from a class of 40 students (most who went on to amazing liberal arts colleges in the northeast) to  the tobacco-spitting, country-singing bible belt of the South. During my freshman year, I’d rush back from the baseball field to write songs. I guess it was a way to keep in touch with myself. It was the perfect outlet to balance the machismo “get swole in the weight room” jock mentality. I ended up graduating from Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) with a couple different Bachelors degrees, a bunch of athletic injuries, and collection of 30 original songs. 

What would you consider your big break?

                I’m not sure I've had my big break yet. Haha! But if I had to pick a “Wow, I might be able to make a career of this” moment, it’d have to be the first check I got from my publisher. I couldn't believe I was getting paid to do something I loved! That was most definitely a defining moment for my career. It ended up paying for a large chunk of my 2010 full-length album ‘Crazy Ways.”

Tell me how you got into doing music for TV?

                A man by the name of Henry Olmino at the Orange Music Company heard some of my early recordings on MySpace and approached me with the idea of helping to license my songs with advertising agencies, production companies, television networks and indie films. It was as simple with that! I signed the contract and Henry started to find homes for my songs on TV shows. It was great! The more new recordings I got him, the more placements he would find.

What brought you to Bethel?  

                My Mom lives right over the NY state border in Brewster, my girlfriend grew up in Redding and I also have an aunt, uncle and cousin in Redding. My Grandma lives in Southbury. I guess the simple answer is “family.” I had a blast living in FL for the past ten years and hunkering down in the Miami music scene, but I wanted to switch things up a bit. I wanted be closer to NYC while still getting the warm community feel of Bethel. I’ve fallen back in love with this area and renewed my Fairfield County vows. It really is great to be back.

Where are your favorite Bethel hangouts?

                You can pretty much catch me every morning (ehh... more like noon) at O’Neil’s for my morning coffee before I head to Snap Fitness. I also really like the new outside seating upstairs at La Zingara’s Ecco. I’m a fan of dark beer and they always seem to have a great stout on tap.

Where can people follow your career?  What can your fans look forward to?

                Thanks for asking. You name it; Spotify, Twitter, iTunes Ping, YouTube, Vimeo, Songkick, Pollstar, etc...geez, that list keeps getting longer and longer. When are we gonna stop with these social networking sites!?!?  My website (www.griffinanthony.com) is the best bet for upcoming dates, new merchandise, recent placements, and news. Facebook (www.facebook.com/griffinanthonyofficial) is the spot for free song downloads, embarrassing pictures, free tickets to shows, and recent press write-ups.

                Fans can look forward to lots of new music. I’ve got another 20 songs written for the next project. The timeline for that however hinges upon finding the right investor to work with.

What are your guilty pleasures?

                Movie theater popcorn, Raffi songs, the TV show “Workaholics” and the website “Zooborns.”

Where did the name of your latest release originate?

                I just released a four-song EP titled, “The Canyon.” For the first time I wanted to wait until the project was completely recorded, mixed and mastered before I even thought of a name. I found there was a bit of old-fashioned Western charm to the production so the name “the Canyon” was rather fitting. However, another reason I chose that title was to pay homage to the great singer-songwriters that all lived and hung out in Laurel Canyon in the late 60’s and 70’s. Its a subtle nod to Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Eagles. I was listening to a lot of their music as I was writing for the project.

Where do you find the inspiration for your music?

                I like to people watch. I’m inspired by humanity. Life is filled with so many characters and great stories. I’ve always been fascinated by the human condition- what makes us tick, behave the way we do, react to certain situations, feel certain emotions...there’s so much material out there. 

How would you describe your music?

                Its changed a bit over the past few years. I've always wanted to write the best pop song possible but now I try a lot harder to convey a message stressing the notes and lyrics equally. I think I set out a lot more these days to invoke a certain emotional response by way of a song, rather than just something to bob your head and tap your toe to the beat. I’ve got a somewhat bluesy vocal approach and mostly everything begins with either acoustic guitar or piano. No matter what, there’s a very organic element to what I write. I’m not entirely moved when things get too computerized. The more technology creeps into the writing process and studio, the more I lose interest. I used to say my music is “acoustic SouP” (Soul + Pop = SouP), although my last project, “The Canyon,” has been described as “Americana Soul.”

How did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?

                In my first childhood band “The Ripptides,” (circa 4th-7th grade) my fellow band mates had parents in the music industry. Gillian (daughter of Arlen Roth) and Anna (daughter of Alan Menkin) were our two guitar players. I remember going over to Alan’s studio to record and looking at a wall of shinny awards. One after the other - Grammys, Tonys, Oscars, Golden Globes; it was amazing. I was so distracted by being in the presence of greatness, I couldn't focus on recording. At the time, I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I wanted that too. 

Do you have any other talents/interests you would like to share with us?

                Hmmm.... Well, I’m probably a better drummer than I am singer and/or guitar player. I studied drums for years before I ever picked up the guitar. Drums seem to come more naturally than any other instrument. Outside of music, I was able to dunk in 8th grade (but at 6’1” at 14 years old, I’m not sure if that’s much of a talent). Now at 6’5”, I can reach anything, anywhere. And then there’s the baseball thing. Now that some of my college teammates are in the big leagues, its really cool to be able to follow their careers.

How do you enjoy your relaxing time away from music?

                Lately, there really hasn’t been too much time away from music. With the amount of dates the guys and I have been playing mixed with the launch of “The Canyon,” I haven’t even gotten too much sleep, let alone time away from music. 

The other day, I played not too far from Lake Compounce amusement park. Took a break to ride the legendary “Boulder Dash” wooden coaster. So much fun. 

Which song do you like to perform the most off your new release?  Favorite to perform of all time?

                Honestly, the song I like to perform the most off “The Canyon” changes nightly. I played the Newtown/Sandy Hook Farmers market this afternoon and The Little Pub (in Ridgefield) this evening and I definitely enjoyed playing “Calico Queen” the most. Favorite song to perform all time would have to be “So You.” Its my security blanket. I don’t have to concentrate on lyrics or chord changes- its just about connecting with the audience. So simple and easy. “So You” always finds a way to make it on the set list. 

Do you have any crazy fan stories you could share?

                Early in my career, I included my phone number on my business cards. Not smart. Big mistake. A few years back after playing a date in Homestead, FL (way down by Key West), I drove four hours back to my apartment in Boca Raton. It was 7am by the time I dropped off my band mates and arrived home. As I was locking my car and walking up the stairs to my front door, another car pulled in behind me. A young lady got out of her car, called out “Griff” and approached me with a t-shirt and sharpie in hand.  I had remembered meeting her earlier at the music venue in Homestead. She followed me home four hours (even after taking detours to drop off my band on the way) all for a just a signature on a t-shirt!?!?! I noticed that she was alone. There was nobody else in her car with her and no other cars around. I couldn't even say anything. I didn't know what to think. I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or terrified. I signed the shirt, she said “thank you”, walked back into her car and drove away. I never met her before that evening and haven’t seen or heard from her since. That’s probably the oddest story I have to date. 

What embarrassing song would we find on your MP3?

                George Michael’s “Careless Whispers.”