Nashville-born and Los Angeles-based artist Michael Griffin, better known as Gryph, arrives with a debut album that reflects the musical journey behind his transcontinental identity.
Photo credit: Gryph – Official
Released via Elbow Grease, ‘Nash Angeles’ draws together influences ranging from blues, rock, soul, disco, jazz, and house music, creating a collection that balances live musicianship with dance-floor sensibilities.
Developed alongside co-producer Dave Aju and a cast of vocalists and session musicians, the album explores the space between songwriting craftsmanship and club culture. Across nine tracks, Gryph blends warm grooves, rich arrangements, and genre-crossing ideas into a record shaped equally by his Tennessee upbringing and his years immersed in Los Angeles’ underground music scene.
In this conversation, Gryph reflects on the making of ‘Nash Angeles’, the creative freedom behind the project, and the importance of staying true to your instincts.
EG: Hi Michael, welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you with us. How have things been for you lately? Where are you answering these questions from?
Gryph: Things have been somewhat hectic but still great. Thank you for having me. I am answering these questions from Point Winona Sound Labs in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA.
EG: Congratulations on the release of your debut album, ‘Nash Angeles’. Putting together a full-length record is a different kind of commitment. How are you feeling now that it’s finally out in the world, and what has the response been like so far?
Gryph: Thank you! Anytime you put yourself out there for the world to see, there’s a range of emotions that comes with that. Excitement, self-doubt, pride, anxiousness and the most important feeling, gratitude. Fortunately, the response in the local LA scene has been nothing short of spectacular. I really am humbled by the support of my friends and local artists.
EG: You grew up in Tennessee, immersed in rock, blues, and songwriting before embracing dance music in Los Angeles. Looking back, what first drew you toward music, and when did you realize those seemingly different worlds could actually speak the same language?
Gryph: The moment I was drawn to music was when I was about 5 years old and saw this Elvis TV special. I was hooked from that moment forward. Then I got into blues, rock, psychedelic rock, funk, jazz, and disco. The moment I knew all those styles could exist together was during a special night in LA at a place called The Basement. It all just came together in my mind while on the dance floor.
EG: The title ‘Nash Angeles’ almost feels like a bridge between two homes. In what ways do Nashville and Los Angeles live inside this record, and how have those places shaped you as an artist and person?
Gryph: Great question. The Nashville side of this album really lives in the collaboration and live performances from amazing musicians. Nashville is known as Music City USA and everyone can play something and play it well. Nashville is also known for a very collaborative take on the songwriting process, and I believe this album embodies that to the fullest. The Los Angeles side of this album is the funk, grit, psychedelic, unapologetic, in-your-face kind of sound or vibe. LA gave me the darkest sunsets and the brightest sunrises, and I think you can hear that in this album.
EG: There’s a lot of joy and warmth running through these nine tracks. Rather than chasing one style, the album seems to let disco, soul, jazz, house, R&B, and songwriting coexist naturally. What were you really trying to capture while making this record?
Gryph: I think it’s just me being me. This is what I like and this is what I like to write, and here you go. Working with a label like Elbow Grease gives me that kind of freedom, so we just ran with it. To us it’s all music. We really don’t see the lines between the genres, which is a true blessing.
“I believe you have to trust in your ability and ideas and you will find an audience. There is enough love for everyone out here”
EG: You worked alongside Dave Aju and a cast of vocalists and musicians throughout the project. What did you enjoy most about creating music in such a collaborative environment, and were there any moments that surprised you along the way?
Gryph: I am a firm believer in strength in numbers. They must be the right numbers, but when they add up it’s magic. It is just so much fun and an honor to hear other great musicians write or sing something I would have never thought of. The fact they got the inspiration from a track that I wrote gives me this unbelievable feeling of warmth and gratitude. Also, without Dave Aju this would have never been possible. His open and laid-back approach in the studio really let everyone express themselves with their guards down, and because of that everyone gave a performance of a lifetime.
EG: Coming from a background as a guitarist and singer-songwriter, how does an idea usually arrive to you? Does it begin with a groove, a melody, a lyric, or something harder to explain?
Gryph: Learning songwriting from a guitarist’s perspective, I usually start with a chord progression. Then I build around that. Bass, melody, counter melodies, solos, textures, etc. With that said, I usually have an intention in mind. Some sort of vibe, groove, or genre. Then it takes off from there. But there have been plenty of times it took off as a hawk and landed as a peacock. Everything and anything can change during the writing and recording process.
EG: There’s something very human about this album. Even though it’s built for dancers and party people, it also feels deeply rooted in musicianship and emotion. What do you hope listeners discover when they spend time with ‘Nash Angeles’ away from the club?
Gryph: I hope that it can help reveal that the “club” scene in LA is full of amazing and thoughtful songwriters, musicians, and producers. We aren’t just underground one-trick ponies. Don’t get me wrong, I love a mind-melting 4 a.m. heater banging through the speakers any day of the week, but I hope this shows the more delicate and musical side of LA house and dance music.
EG: Electronic music often moves very quickly, with constant pressure to chase trends and attention. As someone coming from outside that world, what do you think is most important for artists to hold on to creatively?
Gryph: You have to be yourself and always trust your intuition. I met a famous songwriter once and asked him what the key to writing an amazing song was, and he said, “Always tell the truth.” I believe you have to trust in your ability and ideas and you will find an audience. There is enough love for everyone out here.
EG: If you could sit down with the younger Michael, who was growing up in Tennessee playing guitar, what do you think he would make of ‘Nash Angeles’ and the path you’ve taken?
Gryph: I think he would be shocked. Not so much at the style or genre, but more at the quality and musicianship. I also think he would be happy to see me connect the dots from blues to rock to funk to soul to disco to house. I owe all of that to Dave Aju and the other amazing artists who contributed to this project. I am very grateful and humble.
“LA gave me the darkest sunsets and the brightest sunrises, and I think you can hear that in this album”
EG: Finally, now that this debut chapter has arrived, what excites you most about the road ahead? What can fans expect from Gryph next?
Gryph: I am a person that can’t sit still. While we were finalizing and promoting this album, Dave Aju and I started recording a separate live-band soul and funk project that we’re very excited about. I am also working on a new electronic and new wave-leaning follow-up album, so please stay tuned.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Michael. We wish you all the best with ‘Nash Angeles’ and everything ahead. Take care!
Gryph: Thank you so much for this great opportunity to chat. I hope to speak again soon. Sending love from Point Winona Sound Labs!
Gryph’s ‘Nash Angeles’ is set for release on July 10th via Elbow Grease. Pre-order your copy here.
Follow Gryph: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
