Griffin Holtby is a Texas Rocker who packs a punch! A high energy performer, his music has been described as Blues Influenced Power Rock, and sometimes Outlaw Blues. Connecting through his story lines, inspired by art and real life, he hopes to spread peace and let his music be an agent of change. Griffin’ goal is to make people feel hope. He wants them to know that they are not alone.
Having played in several bands and projects, Griffin is a voracious songwriter with many original songs in his back pocket. In 2018, Griffin embarked on a 3 week Boys of Summer United States Tour and ended the year in Houston on an Anti-Bullying tour called All Star Nation. He has performed in many venues including Whiskey A GoGo in Los Angeles, Underground Arts in Philadelphia, Lincoln Hall in Chicago and House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Curtain Club and Trees in Dallas.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Griffin Holtby about the latest music, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create?
Having grown up in Dallas Texas, I like to call my style Texas rock. It has been called blues rock with soul. I write a lot on my acoustic guitar, and I’ve done a lot of acoustic gigs over the years. Lately I do much better when I rock out on stage with my band. I am a big fan of my wall petal, Marshal amp, and Gibson Les Paul. I love playing stripped back acoustic blues jams but and cranking up my amp to 10 or 11 and then hitting that sweet, crunchy distortion pedal.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Musicians deal with more rejection in their career than most seem to realize. It was clear from young that I was wired to make music, and people in the music industry, family, and fans kept encouraging me. Something about rock music just gets my blood boiling. I also love to see peoples faces when they start to recognize the messages that I am explaining in my songs. The respect and recognition that I get from my peers, other musicians, and audiences is what drives me to keep doing what I do.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
The song I released in November, Overgrown, is in fact different because I decided to go ahead and try out a poppier mix and production style. That being said, the song was originally written as a very slow 12 bar blues song, which is how I usually write. This song is one of the most personal songs I’ve released so far even to the point where the person that this song is about will probably know that it’s about them when they hear it.
I’m trying to finish up my “Hell Series”, songs about rebellion and addiction and the rough period I had during high school. This Aint Hell, is about realizing that I can be my own worst enemy. I’m hoping this EP will be ready by mid April.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
The most frustrating thing about this industry is that many within it are artists, addicted to something, unorganized, and too often, unreliable. Also, I have found that there are a lot more people doing this now than there used to be, and there’s no one real path to the top. Everyone really just has to put themselves out there and any way that they can think of and hope for the best. The age of iPhones has made being a musician very very easy, but it has added more rungs to the seemingly never-ending ladder towards success. I believe technology is important but since one of my strengths is my live show, I plan to spend the next 10 years of my life playing live all around Texas, Oklahoma, and the Midwest and maybe Mexico to build up a solid fanbase. I believe the more I play live and meet potential fans, the more my loyal fanbase will grow.
What was the last song you listened to?
Thirty Years To Life by Slash and the Conspirators. I absolutely love Myles Kennedy’s voice and his style fits perfectly with Slash’s writing and playing. A lot of my vocal development over the past year has come from singing along to Myles Kennedy in the car! I love Guns and Roses and I am crazy for the Conspirators.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
To be honest, I don’t really understand the hype about vinyl. I get that it is more natural in the original way the people used to listen to music, but I’ve never been able to get into it. Growing up, a lot of the music that I listen to was on the radio and on CDs that my family played in the car. In this day and age, I honestly really prefer MP3s on Spotify or Apple Music because it’s just easier and I’d rather be listening to music the same way that my fans listen to my music.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I am a Spotify user through and through day in and day out. I don’t actually listen to any curated playlists or any daily mixes, I just have one Spotify playlist that I keep on repeat called “Griffins Gritty Rock Playlist.” If you wanna know what I listen to, the link to follow it is in my Instagram bio! I also listen to a lot of Djent and instrumental metal while I do busy work so I have another playlist called “Griffins Work Mood.” I really like how Spotify is a bit like a social media platform because it’s really cool to get to see what other people are listening to and think about them getting to see what you’re listening to on a regular basis.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Instagram is my jam! If you wanna hit me up or check out what I am up to, that’s the place to do it! Also you can find more at www.Griffinholtby.com. I send out a monthly newsletter and have been doing that for several years. I know my loyal fans and friends enjoy that because they show up at gigs saying they read it on my newsletter. I put stuff on there that doesn’t go on social media. You can subscribe to that through my website, at the bottom, or contact me through any platform and I’ll add you. My music is on all the major streaming platforms.
Anything else before we sign off?
Not much, just keep your eyes peeled because I’ll be on that Grammy stage by the year 2030!!
