Image Courtesy of Warner Music Central Europe.
It’s 3 PM; at Huxleys Neue Welt in Berlin the first fans are already camped out on foldable chairs, eager for the evening’s concert. “I discovered Griff in 2021 through an Instagram story by Taylor Swift,” says a young woman, determined to secure a front-row spot.
A lot has changed for Griff since then: a BRIT Award win, opening tours for Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, and most recently, Sabrina Carpenter. Now, the British artist is headlining her first major tour in support of her debut album, Vertigo, which has also charted in Germany.
Backstage, I meet Griff as she relaxes on a couch. She greets me with a warm hug and shares that she’s just returned from a short walk through Hasenheide park. Dressed in blue jeans, a red jumper, and a beanie emblazoned with the words “Working Late,” she is ready to start the interview.
Image Courtesy of Warner Music Central Europe.
SLEEK: Griff, would you say you work too much?
Griff: I’m either working or sleeping these days, so yes, I probably do work too much. Chappell Roan said in an interview recently that the more successful we want to be in this industry, the more we have to exploit ourselves. Unfortunately, it’s no different for me. But this is my passion, and my mind is constantly in creative mode. I’m already looking forward to being back in the studio after the tour, though I still carve out moments for writing and recording even now.
S: Since the pandemic, you’ve spent most of your time on stage—first as an opening act and now with your own headlining tour. How do you maintain balance amid all the stress?
G: I try to go for a walk in every city I visit, find a cute café, and take a moment to breathe. Daily prayers are also part of my routine, and gratitude is incredibly important to me. For example, my best friend joined me for two weeks during the U.S. tour, and I’m so thankful for memories like that and for being able to fly out friends and family. Our world feels so chaotic right now, so having 90 minutes to sing and dance with people during the show is such a gift.
Image Courtesy of Warner Music Central Europe.
S: You’ve opened for Sabrina Carpenter, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift. Do you aspire to achieve the same level of fame and success?
G: I’ve never wanted to be famous; that’s not what drives me. While I toured with Sabrina, our lives are so different. I don’t know if mainstream success is something I’ll ever truly strive for. I’m a creative perfectionist. When working on Vertigo, I had the chance to collaborate with some highly successful producers, but I didn’t want to make a hit just for the radio. I don’t want to be known for just one song. I want to make music that sounds like Griff, even if no radio station ever plays it because it doesn’t fit a typical mold. At the same time, I never want to stagnate, and I hope my career continues to evolve organically as it has so far. Honestly, I never expected to be on my own world tour at 23.
S: Your debut album is titled Vertigo. How did it come to life, and what does the title mean to you?
G: I wrote about 100 songs for this album. I didn’t have a clear direction at first, but as I listened to my recordings and went through my notes, I realized that many of my songs were written from the perspective of someone full of insecurities, afraid of losing balance in life. Insecurities about the future, friendships, relationships, self-identity, and the world around us. Vertigo captures that feeling perfectly, which is why I wanted it to open the album.
Image Courtesy of Warner Music Central Europe.
S: You’re credited as a writer and producer on all tracks, which isn’t very common. What’s your creative process like, and what’s the story behind a lyrically striking song like “Everlasting”?
G: Wow, thank you. I’m constantly jotting down notes and capturing thoughts, whether I’m out and about or alone in my room. Everlasting reflects my fear that happiness or a lasting relationship isn’t meant for me. I didn’t see that growing up, so what if it’s just not in my DNA? Or what if everlasting happiness is simply wishful thinking?
S: The outro track, “Where Did You Go?”, stands out both lyrically and sonically. It’s haunting yet experimental. How did you create that sound?
G: I’ve always loved playing with vocal distortions and synth sounds. When writing this song, I was inspired by ambient music and wanted to capture the atmosphere of an empty house and the rawness of screaming out the question, ‘Where did you go?’ on a production level.
S: You seem to have significant creative control, even though you’re signed to Warner Music, a major label. How do you maintain that?
G: Before signing, I was afraid of losing creative control, so it was a key condition of my contract. Since I taught myself everything early on, I still approach new projects with a DIY mindset. Why hire tons of people and use a massive budget when I can handle the visual elements, songwriting, and production with my team or on my own? It’s important to me to decide how my music should sound and how my music videos and performance outfits should look. I have a vision, and I want to bring it to life. Sometimes I have to hold myself back from micromanaging every detail!
Image Courtesy of Warner Music Central Europe.
S: You’re also known for your bold stage outfits. Do you work with a stylist or create them yourself?
G: I used to design and sew most of my outfits myself. I have a very clear vision of my aesthetic and find shapes and silhouettes fascinating. Nowadays, I don’t have the time to sew everything, so I work with my good friend Cam, who helps me style and bring my sketches and designs to life.
S: Lastly, I love reading. Do you have any book recommendations?
G: I only recently got back into reading last year, but I’ve come across some incredible books, like Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow and Never Let Me Go. I love stories about friendship. But I also read Cobalt Red, a nonfiction book that had a profound impact on me. It’s one I think everyone should read.