Griff On Crafting Her Debut Album ‘Vertigo’ And The Art Of Songwriting: “I hope that as long as it moves me, it’s also going to move someone else.”

The journey from bedroom pop producer to award-winning singer-songwriter may seem like something you’d read in someone’s dream journal, but that’s very much the reality that Griff is living out daily.

At just 23 years old, this English sensation catapulted to prominence with her win of the Rising Star award at the BRIT Awards in 2021. Since that pivotal moment, Griff has not only embraced her newfound fame but has also carved out a unique niche for herself in the music industry. Her confessional and emotionally resonant anthems have struck a chord with listeners — blending raw honesty with irresistible melodies to create a distinctive sound that is distinctly her own.

Now, with the release of her debut album, Vertigo, Griff marks a new chapter in her burgeoning career. The album, a collection of introspective tracks and soaring ballads, showcases her evolution as an artist and promises to be a defining moment in her musical journey. Yet, Vertigo is not merely a debut — it stands as a testament to her artistic vision and a thrilling glimpse into the future. As Griff continues to explore the depths of her creativity, there’s no doubt that this is only the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary career.

On the Philippine stop of her Asia promotional tour, Billboard Philippines was able to sit down with Griff for a quick chat, where she talked about her recently released debut album, her songwriting process, her experiences in the industry, and what it feels like to live life on tour with pop heavyweights like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay, among others.

Billboard Philippines: So, first off, I just wanted to congratulate you on your debut album, Vertigo. How do you feel now that it’s finally out in the world?

Griff: I feel relieved. Yeah, I’ve had these songs for such a long time. And I’ve worked on this album for such a long time. And I think when you’re writing and you’re producing the whole thing, you’re so close to all the music that I’m so happy that I can just let it go and it’s out in the world!

Seeing the reception of how well the record has been doing all around the world, with how many audiences are resonating with all of these tracks, it’s impressive. And it really gets to say a lot about how your songwriting speaks volumes.

Thank you!

And how do you achieve that with your writing process? What is that like?

I don’t really overthink. Honestly, I write songs for myself. I never thought I’d be an artist. I thought I’d be a songwriter. So I don’t really think about the audience bit as much as people would think. I think about, how like, I really enjoy being in the studio and I really enjoy writing songs. And everything after that point terrifies me, if that makes sense.

Yeah, that makes sense.

So, yeah, it’s like obviously really crazy that people now hear these songs and really resonate with them and love them. But when I’m writing the songs. I don’t really think of people and how they think about it. 

Because it’s more for you. 

Yeah, exactly. 

Yeah, because I read online that you started out with songwriting and producing your own stuff. And how, as you mentioned just now, it’s a surprise to become a musical artist yourself. But I think that’s kind of like a blessing for the world because, you know, now that you have your art on full display for everyone to listen to, it’s crazy. Like to see the effect that your music has on people — it’s really something.

Aww, thank you. And it’s unexpected, really.

With the writing process of Vertigo, you mentioned that it kind of came at like an in-between period of your life. And that you wrote it on several tours, in between tours, and across the English countryside. So how was that like, isolating yourself from the world?

Yeah, I think I had really bad writer’s block and I think I couldn’t write songs at all. So I think my going to like Airbnbs was just my way of, like, shutting out all the noise almost.

I found it so difficult to write on the road, like being on tour is a really crazy thing, like your world gets spun upside down quite a lot.

So you get Vertigo.

Yeah, exactly. (Laughs) But really, I think writing these songs in all these different houses was like my way of just shutting the world away. And yeah, it was a really strange time. It’d be like — you get back to the way it was, then you get back to the UK, try and write for a week, then go back on another tour and try and figure out my thoughts and stuff. So the whole album has been made on the go, I guess.

So when you were spending that time away from the world, what parts of yourself were you able to get in touch with? Like, is there anything you were able to discover about your emotions, your feelings, and your experiences?

Yeah, I think when you’re alone, you can’t really hide from all of your thoughts, which is both good and bad. And I think this album has a lot of themes of loneliness and loss. I think those feelings heavily crush down when you’re by yourself. Um, so I guess that all of the sad undertones of the album are a product of being alone and figuring out where I’m at.

You mentioned the good and the bad aspects. How did it feel like reaching into that? A lot of people don’t like confronting the reality of things, but for you, I love how you were able to translate it in your songwriting. It’s still very personal, but it also speaks to a universal crowd –– to the point that it makes people feel a little less alone in the world. So how does it feel, being able to realize that what’s personal to you resonates with a whole wider audience?

Well, I think I don’t know. Yet I think that’s the beauty of music — it’s why we all do what we do. Because music is this intangible thing that you can’t just like you can’t just box into one idea or intention. It has the power to unite so many people and to move them as well.

I think that a lot of my favorite songs from my favorite artists move me and make me feel all of those amazing things, so I think when it comes down to writing songs, I’m always just hoping that as long as it moves me, hopefully, it’s going to move someone else. But in terms of the reaction, things don’t really feel real until you’re in the room playing a show in front of a live audience.

And because I’ve spent the last two years doing support tours, this is the first time I’m really experiencing actual real people singing the new songs. So it’s still a very much a new feeling.

How do you feel, given that there’s a novel aspect to it? How does it feel when you see everyone singing along and cheering your name from the crowds? 

It’s crazy. It feels like a fever dream, really. It feels crazy, but I guess it also feels very affirming that when you write songs or when you make, when you’re creative in anything, like, you [personally] always believe in it.

You just hope that other people see what you see in the songs. So then when you see a thousand people singing along, you go, oh, it’s like a family, like, there’s a bit of you that was right when you were writing that song. You go, oh, I did, this was a good song. And, like, this does connect with people, you know. So there’s so much. It comes into being an artist now that it’s just very reassuring. I think it’s a feeling when you see people singing.

It’s like there’s a feeling of being heard.

Yeah. Well, yeah, it’s a feeling of, like, oh,  I’ve always thought this was a good song. And it feels like it’s that’s being proved when people enjoy the music, you know. (Laughs)

I love that. So with Vertigo being your debut album, how was the process of making it, like, different? Was it different from your EP and your mixtape? Like, were there any major changes?

Definitely. I think that the entire process of making an album is so different. And I really felt the pressure of that. And I felt very heavy about writing an album. So it was just difficult. And I think that’s why it took me a long time. And it’s why I kind of dropped the music in volumes. Because I wanted to just take the process within my own pace, because dropping an album is just so intimidating, if that makes sense.

Yeah. Because it’s a full body of work. And some people, when they see an album, they have the assumption that it has to be cohesive. It has to be this and that. But I think with what you’re able to do in Vertigo, like, not only is it cohesive, but the entire track flow is just impeccable. I think that’s the word I would use.

So, now that we’ve established that beyond being a performer and an artist, it’s a fact that you’re just as impressive when it comes to songwriting and production. Given that you mentioned earlier that you have that mindset of being a songwriter and a producer more than an artist, is that something that you still prefer?

Yeah, definitely. I think the more I do artistic stuff, the more I want to… it makes you want to hide away a little more, you know. So, yeah, I think a part of me will always… As long as I’m an artist, I’ll always think about what my life could have been just being a songwriter or just being a producer. But I guess I’ll never know now!

Yet you’ve already penned tracks for artists like Kim Petras, Macy Peters, and Hailee Steinfeld. Are there any other artists that you’d like to write songs for in the future?

Oh my god, I would love to. Like, I was so inspired by Julia Michaels and Sia Grover. Their ability to write such beautiful songs for other people, it’s something that I have always wanted to do. But I actually don’t know who my dream person would be.

Writing is something that I was so in awe of from the very beginning, and I still get inspired by what my peers get to do for others. Like when I saw what Raye did when she wrote a song for Beyoncé, I thought that was really cool. So, Beyoncé would be a good take. I also loved a lot Selena Gomez’s songs because they were written by Julia Michaels, so maybe I could write songs for her too. 

You started with DIY production in your bedroom. Can you tell us about that journey and how it shaped your music identity?

I didn’t learn music production at all, like, in a technical way. So, it just means that, like, I’m basically very un-technical when it comes to producing. And I just figured a lot of it out on my own.

You figure out your own, like, shortcuts and ways of producing and stuff. So, I think that definitely influenced my process because It’s almost like when you’re just making it up as you go along. It’s almost like there are more possibilities because you don’t feel like you need to be, a super crazy classical pianist to be able to produce a beat or you don’t need that expensive mic or studio to be able to make a song. 

It’s like you’re achieving so much by just being on your laptop in your bedroom. But it’s like a really exciting world to be in. So, yeah, I think that being able to do things DIY keeps you in control of everything as well. It makes you feel confident. And when I have an idea, it means I don’t have to, like, wait on a producer to make it — I can just make it.

You can make that choice yourself.

Yeah, exactly! So that’s the most fun part about it.

That’s really interesting. It’s also inspirational for a lot of aspiring musicians as well because your journey from making music in your bedroom to performing all around the world these days is quite the journey. And it’s something that a lot of people can take away from, honestly.

I mean, it still feels like I’m very much at the beginning of my career and figuring it all out. I feel like I’m still learning, but I do hope so! (Laughs)

Speaking of life on tour, you’ve been on the road with acts like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, and Coldplay, you know. I also heard that Chris Martin of Coldplay was able to help out on your song “Astronaut.” What was that like?

It was unbelievable. I mean, Chris Martin — I would say he’s one of the best songwriters of our generation. So, I immensely look up to him and I didn’t think he would give me so much time.

It was crazy to, like, basically be sat down in the studio to play through some of my songs with him, and he was like, you should strip that one back. And so I asked him to play the piano for it and he was really kind enough to say yes. So it’s definitely something I’ll never forget, like, being in the studio with Chris Martin and having him play on the song. And he was able to give me advice for my own career, which is something I’ll always treasure. 

And with the experience of touring with the rest of them, what were you able to learn from those experiences?

Of course, it’s super inspiring. It’s so inspiring to see anything on that scale because it’s so big. It’s really cool, like, I think with the Taylor show, it was so inspiring on so many levels. But, like, speaking of songwriting, like, she’s someone that’s always been so close to the songwriting process, right?

And she, more than anything, is an excellent songwriter and it’s so cool to see those songs fill up stadiums — singing along to nearly every word of those songs.

So yeah, it’s always moving to be able to see hundreds of thousands of people singing along and it’s very inspiring. I would say, like, having done a good amount of touring now, like, I think the world does expect so much more from female artists. And, like, I look at Dua and I look at Taylor and I’m like, you girls have to do so much in comparison.

You have to hit choreo for three hours. You have to do so much for three hours straight in order for everyone to finally go, oh, she’s really talented or she’s finally the biggest star in the world, you know? So I think that as a female, I see those acts and I go, “Wow, the world just expects so much of female talent.” But, yeah, it really is interesting and there are so many takeaways from what you witness from shows on such a scale.

I love hearing those thoughts because, you know, what female pop stars go through in the industry is much different from their male counterparts. I’ve also read online that you really do champion, you know, female songwriters, musicians, and producers in the industry — and it’s commendable that you get to use your platform to spotlight their contributions in the industry. You also get to spread awareness of the double standards of the industry, and it’s nice to see you open up about it.

Yeah, it’s funny. It’s like the music industry is so behind, and the people who are lucky enough to be creative are so privileged, right? Yes. So it leads to such inequality and there are so many barriers for women. There’s still so much of a boys’ club in music, whether it’s in the industry or whether it’s behind-the-scenes like, in the studios or so.

I think there’s gender privilege, there’s race privilege and there’s also class privilege, which are all present in the music industry. So for sure, it’s still something we need to talk about because I think that the most interesting stories come from people who have gone from all walks of life, you know?

I agree.

And so we don’t see enough of those stories making their way into the limelight because of those barriers.

That’s honestly a great point that you made. But really, I’m just glad that you’re someone who is using their platform to speak out on such things.

So amidst everything that you’ve experienced so far — including the release of your debut album, life on tour, and all these experiences, it still marks the beginning of something bigger for you. Are there any lessons that you’ve learned to apply in your career moving forward?

Yeah. I think I’ve learned that no one’s going to believe in you the way you do at the end of the day. Everyone disappears eventually, and you’ve got to live with yourself, your art, and your music. So you need to be really proud of it.

I’ve just learned that once you are in the limelight — it’s the steering wheel of your career and you have to make all the decisions. So you’ve got to enjoy it and be proud of your music. Like, you’re the master of your own destiny or something. (laughs)

Well, that’s great. And even though Vertigo just came out, you know, I think that your fans and even myself are really curious ––  is there anything you’re already working on? Like should we expect anything coming up next?

I actually have a song coming out with an artist called Christopher. He’s Danish, and it’s coming out this week. So that’s exciting!

I’m also going to go to Korea and sing that because he’s doing arena shows out there. So that’ll be fun. And then after that, I’m not really sure. We’ll see. (Laughs) But really, I’m just so excited to start writing again and we’ll see what comes out of that.

Listen to Griff’s debut album Vertigo below:

Photographed by Easel Manes. Creative Direction by Nicole Almero. Production by V1 Productions Inc