Sean Griffin On the Making Of “People Are Mad”
What was the creative process like for this particular song?
I had the title “People Are Mad” as an idea based on a conversation with a bandmate. I found myself saying this to myself, and it was a bit of a mantra. I worked it out on my acoustic guitar and wound up writing the middle bit a while later. I tried it out at shows for a while till it felt right. I enjoy trying things out in front of people at my smaller solo shows and working it out. It is hard to really see what a song is about until people hear it and react to it. I then took it to Kenny Siegal at Old Soul, and it got fleshed out a bit more with the arrangement, etc.
Could you discuss the lyrical themes or messages conveyed in "People Are Mad?"
“People are Mad” deals with some of the frustrations of being human and the ways we are quirky, crazy, and about the wounded (fallen) nature of people. There is a sense of being in it together, and that perhaps yes, we are doomed, but at the end of the day, there really isn’t too much to do about it. There is a bit of a mention about “people looking to the government”, or “the other man” as an acknowledgement that we are responsible for ourselves. I had to sneak a little bit of that in there for the clued-in, and the reminder that from birth till death, we are bonkers. I tried to have a light way about it - not too heavy - a bit of dark Irish humor.
How does "People Are Mad" fit into your overall artistic vision, and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
I like to tell stories and try to build little worlds for the songs to live in. This song is more of an observation, or commentary than a character-driven story, but it sits well amongst the other songs on the record as an introduction, and lets the listener know they are about to be taken through a little journey. “People Are Mad” lets them know they have been warned right off the top, as the whole human experience is a bit of a ride.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Just always being attracted to music. Falling in love with albums and feeling compelled to do it. Having there be nothing else that feels quite right, and besides, what other job can you act like a maniac and be paid for it?
How has your music evolved since you started as a singer-songwriter? What have been some key milestones in your artistic journey?
Well, I was a largely self-taught musician, so learning a fourth chord seemed like a real evolution to my writing. (Haha) Some of the milestones were getting a band together, converting some folks, playing festivals, the first time someone came with a tattoo of my band on their neck seemed like a thing, someone using one of my songs at their wedding, a fan putting one of our stickers on their casket was memorable, and now releasing my first Solo album after being in a group for so long, and now getting to talk with you at Punk Head. Thank you so much for having me,
