The Ride of a Lifetime

Haley Griffin has been singing as long as she can remember. The indie pop artist has already released two singles and she’s only 23. The Wisconsin native wrote the lyrics to her debut single, “Ferris Wheels,” as a poem when she was 16. Griffin says the words came straight from the heart of her childhood and a fascination with Ferris wheels. Hesitant to release the song at first, she had a hunch there was magic in that music, and decided to give it whirl. In the midst of a pandemic, Griffin’s bold move took her on the ride of a lifetime.

A Ferris wheel is a magical thing,

Onto the bars you cling,

As it raises you to the moon,

Up there you can see,

The secrets we conceal,

And maybe you feel free.

"Ferris Wheels"

Now, as an adult, she sees “Ferris Wheels” through a different lens, with a deeper meaning.

“It’s about being present in the moment with each phase of life, making the most of each stop along the ride.”

Griffin is definitely making the most of every phase of of her life. An accomplished musician, with a degree from Berklee College of Music, she now works for a booking agency and runs her own vocal studio. She has 16 years of vocal training, has performed in the prestigious Broadway Company and won several industry awards.

Griffin’s vocal range is amazing and her gift for storytelling shines through in her raw, honest music. A second single, “ELSE,” is devoted to a much heavier subject, finding self-love. The heartbreaking track drew out intense emotions as she sang, tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Everybody loves somebody else…I still don’t know how to love myself…”

Griffin says working on that song was therapeutic and since then she has rebuilt her self esteem. The little girl who loved Ferris wheels has grown up and is ambitiously working on three new songs. She does still like to play dress up, which is apparent in this dramatic photo shoot.

Her music is now streaming around the world. Both singles have found a fan base of organic listeners from as far as Australia. The most challenging part about continuing to pursue her musical dreams, is the expense.

“Streaming services definitely don’t pay artists justly. I would have to earn 750K streams on Spotify, so it’s a long game.”

Meeting production and promotion costs in order release her next single is an uphill battle. She’s not afraid of heights and will continue find a way to rise to the top of those music charts.

Griffin hopes when the pandemic is over, she can expand her fan base, through live performances.

“I’ve never done a show with my original music, that would be truly magical.”

I have a feeling this young artist will continue to soar high in her musical career. When concerts and fairs open up, I’ll be sure to get my ticket for a ride on the Ferris wheel and to Griffin’s first show.

Until then, you can listen to her indie pop music on your favorite streaming service. Every click helps support artists like Griffin, as they pursue that ride of a lifetime, in the music business.

Find Griffin’s karaoke version of “ELSE” and lyric video for “Ferris Wheels” on YouTube.

Follow her on Instagram and like her artist page on Facebook.