Interview with Dain Griffin

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

• I got my first guitar when I was 12 and it just kind of stuck with me from that moment on. Music is the reason I am where I am today so had I not gotten into music, I'd probably still be a bartender in Phoenix.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

• When I'm not playing music, I enjoy watching movies and reading books. Every once in a while something I see or read will trigger a creative thought. Sometimes they'll turn into songs but mostly they stay as sound clips or note drafts in my phone.

How long has your band been around?

• I have been playing solo for about 15 years but this is my debut full-length album as a solo artist.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

• I'm based out of Las Vegas. I've always been in the southwest and the desert so sometimes I feel like that imagery influences my music slightly.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

• I was given the name Dain Griffin at birth. My mom found it in a baby book and liked it. I've grown to be ok with it over the years.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

• My most memorable show has to be about 12 years ago when one of my old bands had to opportunity to open for Saves the Day. They are my favorite band and have been a huge influence on my music so it was an actual dream come true.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• My favorite venue to play at is the Rebel Lounge in Phoenix. That venue has a lot of history and is run by great people. I've been lucky enough to play in a lot of venues with a lot of history around the west coast like Che Cafe in San Diego and 924 Gilman St in Berkeley.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• That's a tough question with a hundred different answers. I think I'd have to say Saves the Day and the Get Up Kids would be a fun show to open for.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

• I'd say to just go for it. Write songs you enjoy and don't worry about what other people think. If you do it for other people, you'll never be happy yourself. 

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

• The song Dead Flowers (Flores Marchitas) off my new album Dead Flowers currently means the most to me. It is about my grandfather who was a father figure to me and he's no longer with us. 

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

• My old band Merit has a song called Portland. I don't think that will ever not get requested when I play as long as I'm playing shows.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

• I write when I'm inspired usually on an acoustic guitar first and then it blossoms from there into the final product usually in the studio.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

• My new record, Dead Flowers, is mostly about getting older and sober and trying to fix things that I messed up in my life when I was younger.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

• I argue with myself a lot. Ha, but on a serious note, being solo is nice because there are no disagreements. It does get lonely sometimes though.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• Dead Flowers comes out 2/3/23. I will be playing some shows in Phoenix, Las Vegas and LA in the coming months.