Griff Peters is a San Diego, USA-based singer songwriter and guitarist who has just come to my attention thanks to his solo debut album, released earlier this year. It’s called Canyons and Waves.
By Graeme Smith
Starting his life in music at the age of fourteen, when he discovered his grandfather’s old guitar, Griff has made quite the career for himself. He was a professional musician while still in his teens and went on to graduate with honours from Berklee College of Music. He’s recorded and toured with the likes of John Mayer, Billie Myers and Mike Keneally. This album sees him take on the spotlight for the first time.
The talent and expertise Griff has is apparent right from the off, as is the high quality of this album’s production. Home opens things up with a short vignette that goes from gently ambient to strikingly dramatic before Holiday gives us some cosmic and meditative folk rock. Its emotional lyrics will grab you at your core, and won’t let go.
Where You Been is an introspective track that takes its time. It unfolds slowly with lyrics that seem to capture an entire life. Its relatable, subversive story and soaring anthemic moments make it an early highlight.
She Plays With Light ups the tempo with some vibrant and noodling classic rock. It has some nice lingering guitar hooks and lively percussion. Its airy chorus will definitely have you moving, and a monster guitar solo means it’s another highlight.
Choose Love opens slow and deliberate, infused with blues undertones and expressive vocals. Marie Marie goes even harder into the blues, with some conversational guitar licks and pleading lyrics. Climb a Tree simmers with acoustic wistfulness before Dirt provides another highlight with its full-blooded blues rock arrangement and storytelling lyrics that will transport you to some country bar.
Stained Glass Eye is a suitably delicate moment, with an unconventional arrangement that combines light and shade beautifully. Title track Canyons and Waves closes the album with an odyssey. It opens stripped-back, full of the sounds of nature and unfolds from there like a country-infused meditation before arriving at an open-ended conclusion.
Canyons and Waves is out now via Impropriety Records. You can give it a listen below.
