After 25-years years fronting Irish-American punk-roots outfit The Ruffians, American singer songwriter Seán Griffin has released his debut solo single, Be My Girl. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
His upcoming album, People Are Mad, is due on 17 April, and was recorded at Old Soul Studios in Catskill, NY. It's a record defined by "working-class reality", written between touring, raising a family, and running a hotel in Kingston, New York.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm an Irish-American singer-songwriter based out of New York.
I've been singing in The Ruffians for 25 years, and now I have my first solo record coming out on April 17th on Right Track/Universal. It had been a while since we had anything out, and with the losses of our bandmates, multi-instrumentalist Scott Mettey and All-Ireland banjo player Daren Maloney, it just felt like it was the right time to do it.
I'm a father of six wonderful children. The balance to make it all work can be a precarious thing, but we do our best.
How would you describe your music?
Well to be honest, I prefer for people to listen to it and tell me what they think, but I would describe it as fighting, loving, and living music. Real life wrapped in a hangover with a fistful of fun. Sometimes silly, sometimes sad, sometimes the best fun you've ever had. I'm trying to contribute to the great songbook and make as many friends as possible along the way by sharing my songs and stories.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I'm inspired by The Clash, The Pogues, Billy Bragg, Morrissey, The Bothy Band, Elvis, Tom Waits, and countless others. I'm inspired by everything, including your man belting it out in the corner of the pub.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The first gig I ever went to outside of a kitchen session or a local punk show was They Might Be Giants on their Flood tour. I saw them in Sag Harbor, NY, and it was so fun. I also met a girl that night, and it was the first proper snog I ever got.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Workers Playtime by Billy Bragg. I found it in a discount bin at Trash American Style, which was our local record store. It was the first record I ever wore out, and I learned so much about ballad writing and simplicity in arrangement. It is still an amazing record.
What’s your favourite song right now?
That is a tough one; it is forever changing. I'm really enjoying Killeagh by Kingfishr. I just came across it, and it is just great.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I watch the slow hand kill the day," from The Big Time by Suede. It gets me every time.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Again, that is a tough one, but I would go with Picture in a Frame by Tom Waits. For today at least.
Where can people find your music/more information?
All the usual places: wherever I am singing and playing, after a gig at the merch table, on my website and on all streaming platforms, Bandcamp, and, hopefully, in a few shops too.
Alan Corr
