Singer/songwriter Saskia Griffiths-Moore burst onto the London scene after years performing on the folk and acoustic circuit in England and beyond. Her songs combine many different styles and vocal traditions, with a unique twist and an in-depth understanding of human nature.
After working as a craniosacral therapist on Harley Street in London, Saskia made the bold move to performing full time, starting out in Bristol and eventually moving back to London and establishing herself in the clubs and concert halls all around the UK. She has always kept a deep connection with her audience, and continues to find new ways to include them on her journey as she shares her music all over the world.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
I loved acoustic music, right from the start. Singing around the campfire, writing, playing, performing with friends, the sheer thrill of creating something 🙂 I could cite many influential artists, but to be honest, my love for music came out of my love for the joy of creating and sharing it with friends.
If you could paint a picture of your unique sound, what would it look like?
I would draw inspiration from Botticelli (to take this question literally). Strong and soft femininity centre stage, and beautiful supports all around. Whatever the genre or format, I try to create beauty in music and lyrics, and to hypnotise or transform the listener into another dimension.
What are some of your key musical influences?
Gillian Welch, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Alanis Morissette, Alison Krauss
What’s on your current playlist?
All of the above, as well as some brief forays into Jazz, Country and one or two nostalgic pop tracks from the early noughties.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
If I’m co-writing, we jump right in! Make decisions and then improve them from there, it should take an hour or so to have the basics down, if we don’t do anything by then, we just move on. If I’m by myself I need to be truly alone, and to have a lot of free time – no tasks, no chores, no emails, just the setting sun, a comfy sofa, and my guitar.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Nature. And going to other gigs.
As an artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
The scene has developed the way it has for a reason. It’s hard for me to discern what it takes for an artist to rise to the top, but for me personally, it means keeping a consistently open heart, and only every working with people I truly get along with. If you are on the top but all alone, or worse, surrounded by people who you don’t truly like, then what’s the point?
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
When I’m on stage, a relationship is everything. There is nothing worse to me than an artist that has rehearsed their ‘chat’ in between songs, and rehearsed every note to sterile perfection. I want creativity, I want a relationship, I want love, and I want it to be real and in the moment. A lot to ask I know! And while I respect what other artists do when they craft a show, that’s not my kind of art at all.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Tears. It’s immensely touching to see someone be moved by the music and to open up their hearts to the messages in the songs. I always notice it from the stage! And I take time to look around the room constantly and to see the responses from people to the music. People have flown across continents to see me play, and to me, I know it’s not because I’m famous or flashy or trendy (I’ve probably never been trendy), but because they are genuinely touched by something. That means a lot to me.
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
To me, success is a room of a few thousand people glowing with happiness. That’s why I do what I do, and what I intend to create with my live shows. Recorded music always gives some sweet comfort and joy too, and I love that people have access to it from their homes, at any time of day or night.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?
I’m working on two projects right now, re-recording some of my ‘classics’ and putting out a new album of top quality music. We’ve recently had offers from a few countries to collaborate on these projects, and we expect to be working across the USA and UK over 2020-2022, and then looking to expand further.
Famous last words?
Music is a relationship, and music to me is love. I always want to leave people with the flavour of love ringing in their minds whether that’s at a concert, after watching a youtube video or streaming my albums.
Follow Saskia Griffiths-Moore online
YouTube | Twitter | SoundCloud
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