INTRODUCING: Greighwolfe
Finding out who you are as a person is often the crux of musical output. The defining moments of a musician’s life can be poured into their sound, their lyrics and their style. With that, it takes an ever-shifting shape of what it means to be a person to constantly challenge what music is. Enter GREIGHWOLFE, one such musician who brings a huge amount of brazen, heart-on-his-sleeve sound to the table.
“I grew up making music with bands, playing rock, playing electro,” GREIGHWOLFE, also known as Aaron Jones, describes his decision on his stage persona. “After deciding to go solo, I found myself in a position where I was trying to discover the sounds and core elements of music I loved. I found my anchoring influences in old blues and the name came naturally to me as a strong fit for the sound I was producing.”
After beginning his solo career, GREIGHWOLFE became a one-man army of bold sounds and unrepentant song writing, with a huge voice over laid on gritty guitars and low humming bass. “I am a singer-songwriter, with a passion for motorcycles and dirty rock from Brighton. The music for sure is tribal, fierce, desert-alt-rock wrapped around contemporary blues,” however, to understand who the driving force behind that sound isn’t as simple an answer. “As for myself, I’d say who I am really depends on which side of me you see. I’m not trying to be something I’m not. I try to be real and honest. I’m not some squeaky-clean pop star trying to say all the right things. People would generally describe me as rough around the edges or a bit of a happy loner.”
There’s a real modern edge to GREIGHWOLFE’s music, with it’s layered, distorted desert rock sound. However, its core remains firmly in the realm of blues. The key here is that you can’t fake the soul that comes with real blues. There’s no amount of gloss that can taint or distort what blues is, and in fact any amount of experimentation with a blues sound that comes from the heart only seems to exemplify a more personal side of what it means to the creator. GREIGHWOLFE’s music is unapologetic, personal storytelling that is as relatable in in its ambiguity to a new listener as it is to a fan because of its authentic blues background.
This music wouldn’t be what it was if GREIGHWOLFE was trying to be anything else. “I think the thing that drives me is being able to do what I want. Having the freedom to make the music I want without being boxed into the parameters of a single genre. There are no rules to this industry anymore and I get to work with my best mate, my manager, who plays a big part in what I do.” Being free from any expectations truly has allowed for GREIGHWOLFE to say exactly what he feels, regardless of the popular output. “The personal touch [in my music] comes purely from the fact I make music for myself before anybody,” he explains. “Everything I write comes from a personal place. The experiences I’ve had, things I’ve observed, conversations I’ve been involved in. One of my biggest gripes with music is that in this day and age, nothing seems sincere, so I just always try to do that. Interestingly enough, [the new single] No Good was more-or-less about doing what you want and not being apologetic about it. The whole record is about embracing and accepting the differences about myself. Self-Realisation.”
The changes within GREIGHWOLFE have been slight and gradual, as he shifts from one phase of his life to another. Inspiration and circumstances alter, and over time becomes something new. Is that change for the better? “100% completely,” he concurs. “I think there are still a lot of core elements that stay the same. Certain things I identify with as being my sound. In terms of content, it’s evolved. This record I’ve allowed myself to be more vulnerable in my song writing. There are parts of my life and things I’ve experienced in the lyrics that will explain that.”
The writing process on GREIGHWOLFE’s latest album, Playing With Fire, is an expansion of his journey. The realisation of this is a development of both the world inside his head, and the physical world he chooses to reside in. “My previous, and first, record The Black Album from 2014 was at a time in my life where I was fresh out a long term relationship and was completely consumed by my lust for freedom,” he recounts, “Playing with Fire, is from start to finish, my understanding of who I really was, and who I was becoming after I relinquished myself of my ego. I came to a stage where the life I was trying to live before wasn’t working and I was holding myself back with a lot of shit that didn’t matter. As soon as I became aware of positive and negative influences in my life, I made adjustments to what I kept in my circle. When I write a song, I know it’s me but it feels like I’ve captured a spirit in the universe that’s driving me to translate its message. I connect with it and try to do the same with my music.”
GREIGHWOLFE is also notoriously hard to find as an online presence. You’ll find his music, certainly, but information on the man himself is much more elusive. “I really only use my Instagram. I will post funny or random pics and clips to my story a lot but as for posts, I like to try and keep them relevant to my audience,” he clarifies, “What I’m doing music wise or bike wise. Each post should carry a purpose otherwise, why is it there in the first place? When it comes down to music, what really counts is where and when people listen to it. Social Media is a cool tool, but music is a real connection between the artist and the listener, where they digest and understand what they just heard.”
Conscious use of social media all runs into the overarching appreciation you start to get about how GREIGHWOLFE is. Everything can and should be purposeful, and understanding that is very important. Thinking about the most important thing in creating his music, the answer is adamant. “The message,” GREIGHWOLFE pronounces. “Honesty and sincerity in what you’re trying to say. As an artist your duty is to make something real. Everybody is so consumed by money and material drive; it loses its integrity. I’m not relying on making money from music. The most important thing is to say what you mean to say. I make music I’m compelled to make rather than trying to make music I think people want to hear.”
The live element to GREIGHWOLFE is also not without merit. Like with his online presence, to find it is a rare treat, and made all the more significant when you can comprehend his message first hand. “I think for the ability for the fans to just be in the moment and enjoy the show. I like to try and bring something a little bit different to each show. Nobody is encouraged to go out and see live music like they used to, so for me, it’s being able to give the fans an experience. “
If there’s anything we can expect from GREIGHWOLFE in the future, it’s evidently never going to be a simple cut and dry, mundane affair. “To put it simply, it’s an adventure,” he heartens. “There are a lot of facets to the world that is GREIGHWOLFE. The music plays a big part, but it’s also about the visual aspect, my passion for motorcycles and my family. I’d say the difference to me from a few years ago to now, is that I’m more travelled and I hope that allows me to connect to people on a deeper level rather than living through a screen. I intend to share amazing memories with people that not only like and connect with my music, but understand what I’m about; Like-minded people.”
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