CheekyChicago

There’s a familiarity about Griffin House when you meet him for the first time. Maybe it’s his Midwestern charm and his honest, unpretentious approach to life. Or it could be the simple sort of truth in his songwriting and his full-blooded Americana guitar. Whatever it might be, Griffin is proof that you don’t have to abandon your roots to cultivate a successful career as a musician. Born and raised in Ohio, Griffin attended Miami University in Oxford where he followed his passion and picked up a guitar for the first time. That passion eventually grew into solo gigs in Nashville, then a record deal with Vancouver-based label Nettwerk and, finally, a national headlining tour. This success goes to show that learning acoustic, electric or bass guitar as a hobby can potentially turn into a career.Now, Griffin’s working on a self-produced forthcoming record, which he’ll put out through his very own label, Evening Records.

Griffin and I took a walk to Burnham Shores in Evanston before his show at SPACE on September 9, where we chatted about his journey into music, the learning process and his inspirations along the way.

Photo compliments of Evanston SPACE

Cheeky: What have you learned about yourself on the road?

Griffin House: I’m a very emotionally driven person, so if I get really fired up about something naturally then it’s easy for me to work hard and be enthusiastic about it. With music, I think it was always easy for me to go, go, go, and now, I’m at a place where I’m trying to have good balance and make decent decisions – especially now that I have a family. I don’t want to be the archetypal rock and roll guy who’s out drinking too much all the time and away from home all the time. I just don’t wanna be that guy. I want to have childlike fun with what I’m doing but also be an adult and a father when I need to be one.

Cheeky: You’re in the process of recording a new album. How will it compare to past albums?

GH: It’s going to be very different…There will be sounds that will surprise people, and there are some songs that don’t sound like my music quite as much. I don’t think it will be in a way that my fans won’t like or relate to – not so off the wall that it doesn’t sound like me. But it’s really new stuff. I’m excited.

Cheeky: Who are some of your musical muses? How did they guide you?

GH: I was a U2 fan for my high school years and part of my college years for sure. Someone had given me a VHS of their Rattle and Hum and there was something about watching it that made me feel really inspired and really hopeful, and I didn’t even really understand it was happening. They always seemed like really good people, too. I felt like if I had those guys as role models and musicians, I couldn’t go wrong because they were always trying to make the world a better place, had good hearts, good beliefs and convictions, as well as having really powerful music.

Cheeky: Who have you previously toured with?

GH: I played with Bruce Springsteen’s wife, Patty Scialfa, right after I started in music. I got to open up for John Mellencamp for some shows and a few years ago I did a Cranberries tour. You never know what’s gonna happen or if you’re gonna get anywhere with this, and all of a sudden you’re meeting all these people you’ve looked up to your whole life. I’m not at the point where Bruce calls me up and says, “Hey man, I’m in Chicago. Come sing with me.” He was here last night, but he didn’t call me. He called Tom Morello and Eddie Vedder instead [laughs].

Cheeky: Speaking of Chicago, what’s your favorite thing about our city?

GH: Chicago is home to my all-time favorite, most exciting show I’ve ever played… It was at the Double Door and we didn’t really know what to expect. When we walked in, there were about 550 people there. Sold out. It was packed back to the wall and we were just like, “Holy shit.” We couldn’t believe it. We played “The Guy That Says Goodbye to You is Out of His Mind” and even people in the back of the room were singing every word. I thought… this is crazy. The band was so excited and everybody was on the same page. The energy just felt good. I loved that night and I’ve always had a good time here since I’ve been back.

Cheeky: What’s the boldest thing you’ve done in the past year?

GH: Have a child. You weren’t expecting that one, right? It doesn’t get bolder than becoming responsible for another person’s life. Becoming a father has been one bold move. But really rewarding at the same time.

Learn more about Griffin House here and follow his journey via Twitter and Facebook.