motel void

MOTEL VOID: You’re from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. How would you describe the current music scene there? Do you feel that you’re part of it?

BW GRIFFIN: The scene seems to be alive and well! I keep hearing of new bands and members from different bands collaborating with one another, and that’s what you love to hear. I am adjacently a part of the scene as a fan, but I wouldn’t call myself an active participant. You’re more likely to find me playing poor chess at some local cafe.

MOTEL VOID: Your favorite local venues and artists?

BW GRIFFIN: The Cat’s Cradle is the big spot for me. It’s where all of the bigger indie bands, as well as local favs, play. I’m also partial to The Cave because I have some memories there. The local bands I follow tend to be my friends’ bands. I used to be in a band called BONIES and they were cool people. They’re on hiatus at the moment, but Dani (singer/bassist) has started a new band called Hex Files and I believe Michael is back with his old band DOMS. I also have a friend named Reilly whose band With Love is really dope.

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released your new album ‘Were’. Could you tell us more about the recording and writing process of this record?

BW GRIFFIN: WERE was an attempt to communicate how I was feeling at the time as vividly as possible. Most of the tracks were written and recorded almost simultaneously, a leap of faith of sorts. I took a back seat and let it happen. I didn’t start entering into the fold of things until the production phase. I don’t know, I feel like the brain can be a person’s biggest enemy at times. I like to rely on intuition whenever offered the chance. It’s like that one scene from Star Wars where Luke wanted to use the targeting device to take out the Death Star but Ben told him to use the force instead.

MOTEL VOID: Your biggest inspirations right now?

BW GRIFFIN: There’s a nineties band called ‘The Receptionists’ that I’ve been listening to a lot recently. I like their vibes and sound. I get quite a bit of inspiration from philosophy/literature with guys such as Kafka, DFW and the great Kierkegaard. I also enjoy reading poetry, particularly when I’m creatively zapped. I know I’m being a bit coy with my musical influences, but I feel the obvious ones are present in the music. I’ve always enjoyed the deciphering aspect of music in regards to trying to pinpoint influences and references. I supposed in a different universe I would be walking around in spandex with question marks stamped all around.

MOTEL VOID: Your other plans for 2024?

BW GRIFFIN: Write. Write. Write. Record. Record. Record. Release (hopefully). Repeat. Oh, and read.