On top of balancing coursework as a graduating senior at USC, Ingrid Griffin released her debut album, “It’s All Just Songwriting Material,” in early April.
Griffin is an up-and-coming country-pop singer-songwriter from Lincoln, Nebraska who is graduating with a degree in music and songwriting in May. She started out as an acting major but has always found a passion in music and performance as she was part of musical theater growing up.
“I always knew that I wanted to do both music and theater and I was always kind of caught between the two. I just love performing, I love being on stage. It’s where I feel most comfortable,” Griffin said.
Griffin describes her sound as a “1970s Laurel Canyon troubadour meets Taylor Swift in her country-pop ‘Fearless’ era. She takes tons of inspiration from other artists such as Joni Mitchell and Carole King, as well.
Griffin explained that she loved writing music throughout her college years. Whenever life threw good memories or bad times at her, she would say “Oh well, It’s all just songwriting material.” It naturally became a motto that Griffin had lived by throughout her college journey.
All 12 of the original songs on the album are based on real-life scenarios that she’s been through: from feeling out of place at college parties to falling in love. “I like to say that the album is sort of a tapestry of all kinds of joys, hopes, fears, and heartaches from my four years of college,” she said.
Through the new album, Griffin explored her creativity by producing nine out of the 12 songs. For one song, she even included her own rhythm made with a red Solo cup in the background as an homage to the song title, “Red Cup,” a song about feeling out of place at college parties.
Venturing out of her comfort zone and testing out all the knowledge and skills she gained, she worked with another student producer from USC named Jared Klinghoffer, in her tiny studio apartment where it took a lot of guitar and backing vocals.
“It was so fun getting into it, getting to produce my own songs, because I was able to add my own personal touch to it, which was very meaningful to me,” she said.
These 12 songs encapsulate her coming-of-age story, incorporating experiences relatable to any college student. Her track “Twentysomething” is all about her last year at USC, the ups and downs of being a senior in college. Her favorite lyrics on the album come from this track: “It’s those who crash and burn are those who started the flame/Those who fall down are those who took a leap of faith.”
Griffin said she found herself connecting withthat line, especially this year, as she’s reminded that even if there are “crashes and burns,” she’s proud that she put herself out there and tried something new.
“Ultimately, I want my music to spark joy in people,” Griffin said. She said she hopes that through this album, her lyrics can resonate with others. She said she wants the melancholy tracks to remind listeners that they aren’t alone, while the upbeat titles celebrate the highs of adolescence.
“As an artist, I have a goal and hope to act as a role model for young women, to empower girls of our generation,” she added.
Griffin’s love of music and determination stems from her family’s support, and she said she is forever grateful to them. Beyond supporting his daughter’s musical endeavors, Griffin’s dad participates, as well. He is the drummer featured on some of the tracks on her album.l Griffin said her dad has always drummed in a rock band his whole life and that she dreamed of them performing together.
Following graduation, Griffin will be going on a mini-tour through Colorado, performing alongside her father on the drums.
“My family support really means the world to me, and it’s so cool that I get to share all this with my dad.,” she said. “I knew that if I ever go on tour, he would definitely be my drummer.”
In September, Griffin will be moving to Nashville to continue pursuing a music career.
Griffin said her dream one day is to sing one of her original songs for an audience that would know all the words and sing along. To show her appreciation and gratitude towards her listeners, she and her mom make and distribute handmade gifts whenever Griffin performs live.
“If my future has anything to do with music, I’ll be more than happy,” she said.
Griffin’s new album, “It’s All Just Songwriting Material” is now available for streaming on Spotify.