By Willow Knight
Music veteran, Sean Griffin has been gearing up with some killer new tunes and is ready to share! He’s going out solo after leading The Ruffians since 1998. After losing two band mates, Sean still had songs in his heart he wanted to share with the world.
He’ll be playing a FREE show at 5 pm this Sunday the 12th at Roe Jan Brewery in Hillsdale New York. Taproom and kitchen will be open to enhance your listening pleasure! You don’t want to miss this folks!
Sean will also be stopping by WEXT 106.1 for a live performance in Albany on April 20th at 2 pm.
And on April 21st at 4 pm on Radio WKZE 98.1 for another live performance.
Mirth Films had a chance to catch up with Sean and ask a few of our favorite “must knows” and lucky us, he was gracious enough to give us the goods. With a new album coming out next week on April 17th, we started with the important questions…
Mirth- Can you tell me about your songwriting process and how you flesh out songs?
Sean- My songwriting process is a little different each time. Sometimes it is a chord progression and a melody and hook emerges. Sometimes it is a funny turn of phrase, sometimes it is the melody that comes first. These days more often than not I write in the car and just sing in my phone. I try to revise the songs, and always ideally like to play them out live in front of an audience to flesh them out. I feel that they sometimes grow and evolve through testing them out live.
Mirth- What goes into a show? What are your setlist preparations and how do you make choices?
Sean- The first step of what goes into a show is first the endless calling, emails, and trying to chase down venues. The set list is often more spontaneous for me. I like to get to shows early and I warm up in the car vocally as I’m driving. I have ideas but every situation always seems to need a lot of flexibility and the ability to roll with the situation to be able to deliver for the situation and people in front of you.
Mirth- How does the crowd shape a show?
Sean- A crowd can shape a show by their ability or willingness to give back what is given. A show is an exchange of energy, and if a crowd is responsive then it can really elevate a show to an experience or a happening. Many people are too distracted to fully participate in a show, and stage volumes are much quieter than they used to be. When at a show the music should be the center and not another conversation, or a ball game, or doom scrolling. It is better for everyone there to be completely present.
Mirth- Do you have a favorite venue or festival to play?
Sean- Yes, I have several venues that are my favorites to play, but sadly many are gone in a post Covid world. My favorite used to be to play at Rocky Sullivan’s in New York City. I still love to play South Gate Tavern in Highland Falls, and I enjoy playing The Litchfield county Irish Festival. I am also looking forward to many new places in the upcoming year including my show this Sunday from 5-7pm at the Roe Jan Brewery in Hillsdale NY.
Mirth- What are you looking forward to this year?
Sean- Getting my new album out this April 17th, playing shows in the Northeast and in Europe, and meeting some great people along the way.
Mirth- What are YOU currently listening to?
Sean- I am currently into Hope Machine by Johnny Society which is a fantastic album.
Mirth- How do you stay focused on wellness and keeping healthy while touring?
Sean- I drink lots of water, and take naps. I try to eat local food along the way. I seek out small businesses and restaurants and avoid chains as much as possible.
Mirth- What is your dream collaboration?
Sean- My dream collaboration would be to work with Johnny Marr or Bernard Butler.
Mirth- Best advice you’ve been given? How did it shape you as a musician?
Sean- The best advice I was given was to do anything else if you possibly can. I couldn’t so here we are. I had to double down on what I was doing.
Mirth- Anything you want fans or future fans to know.
Sean- I would like fans, or future fans to know that I do it for you. Having a community around music is such a gift and it is meant to be shared and enjoyed together. I want them to know that I am still going for it and so should they.
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