Branner Griswell

B-movie soundtracking, grotty rhythms, unsettling ambience and ominous atmospherics; presenting Branner Griswell and his debut album as the electronic beat-wielding chiller.

What or who inspired you to start making music?

Hmmm, well I've been recording since the late 90's before I had any gear other than a Panasonic RS-760S reel to reel recorder and an acoustic guitar. I remember the excitement from experimenting with tape but at the time I was highly into the raw, quasi-outsider records - John Frusciante's first two were a huge influence at the time, early Smog and Vic Chesnutt. Those recordings I made are kept safely hidden somewhere on cassette... I would say purchasing a cheap DAW from a store in my local mall soon thereafter was the first time I realized the power of the 1s and 0s.

Can you say a little about an artist or two that have influenced your music, but in an implicit random or surprising way, that might not be immediately obvious through listening to your music?

In a strange way I can't really put my finger on a recording artist but oddly watching old B Movies like I Eat Your Skin, Pigeons from Hell, seems to give me the inspiration to flip a song. I think Henry Mancini knew how to sculpt a good song...

Can you name a couple of albums that you’ve particularly enjoyed recently?

Oil Thief - Obsolescence & Monality
Swans - To Be Kind (I picked it up a bit late but its a hands down masterpiece)
Clap! Clap! - Tayi Bebba

Can you give us a clue as to what else you’re working on at the moment?

I am in my third year towards completing a degree in Sound Design from Uni Brighton so my time seems to be taken up with writing my dissertation at the moment. I am also planning to film and compose a soundscape for a documentary involving the Newhaven/Dieppe Ferry service which should be completed by next year.