John D Griffin

Bilingual – multi-instrumental composer

“As a bilingual songwriter, bass player, guitarist, multimedia creative, and A/V producer, I’ve learned much from the most eccentric variety of industry professionals. Including a range of talented International designers to established Nashville songwriters. From Seattle musician circles to experiencing life with authenticity in Mexico and abroad with other artists, I continue to weave musical dreams and stories… with more on the way.”


Starting with early stage performances to radio jingles, indie films, and cross-border collaborations, my work threads through international sounds, images, and storytelling in 2 different languages from differently inspired perspectives.

I don’t tour anymore. I compose, produce, and as of 2025 have dedicated myself to create for SYNC — shaping what fits, moves, and stays — to best serve and honor client productions.

Freeing me to focus entirely on the song and not on my artist branding. I’m concentrated on the music… not appearances.

INFLUENCES INCLUDE:

Danny Elfman, Al Di Meola, Quincy Jones, Van Halen, Maná, Les Paul, Queen, Henry Mancini, John Williams, Red, Shadowfax, Missing Persons, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, Harry Connick Jr, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Green Day, Rage Against the Machine, Yanni, and many more…

I’m a bilingual (Spanish/English) multi-instrumentalist and composer whose musical journey began both abroad and in the United States—experimenting with multitrack recording as early as first grade (thanks to my musical father who owned all the coolest music and recording gear).

From joining school marching band as a trumpet player, to forming my own teenage rock bands on bass or guitar, and becoming a better songwriter; my musical journey eventually evolved into scoring indie films and composing bilingual jingles for TV and radio. Eventually establishing myself in the heart of Music City, USA.

Over time, live performance—while rewarding—wasn’t enough. It became too focused on the marketing-side presentation, on appearance, social currency, and visuals instead of the actual music itself. So the studio became my true home and refuge. Where imagination and precision met to create something lasting where I can be heard, not seen—letting the music do the talking. No egos!

That realization took shape after winning first prize in a Nashville radio Oscar Mayer Wiener jingle contest, which opened doors to collaborations with experienced industry professionals and launched my bilingual jingle career in Middle Tennessee.

Thanks to my father’s musical abilities and support, I play different instruments and started multi-tracking since the analog era. Writing over 2,000 songs since.

At the end of the day, my songwriting usually circles back to rock, pop, indie, instrumental, cinematic, electronic, and world music styles.

This wild and rich blend of influences continues to guide my songwriting, production, and composition. While learning more about the business side of the music industry keeps me rooted in the creatively profitable traditions of Music City songwriters.

All these fuel me to explore bold new directions across rock, pop, indie, and experimental genres carte blanche with artistic freedom and authenticity. Thanks for joining this leg of my journey. Cheers!

– words and music –
Open to pitch and sync opportunities worldwide.

Ever since I can remember, music has been the center of my world.

[12 tracks / instrumentals]

My mother says she played Bach/Mozart to calm me even before I was born, as a toddler I had my own little bedside radio playing soothing classical music every night to fall asleep to, and those melodies became the soundtrack of my earliest dreams.

I grew up across the U.S. and in Monterrey—a bustling northern Mexican city—living between English and Spanish worlds, surrounded by different genres of music, changing cultures, and continual motion and re-inventions.

In the U.S., Dad filled our home with guitars and vinyl LPs of American golden era bands and jazz greats. While living in Mexico, Mom added the charm of Cri Cri and Mexican classics. Outside, street sounds met symphonies, shaping how I heard emotion long before I knew the word for it. Then I discovered John Williams—and film music became an obsession, where story, image, and melody fused into pure feeling.

Raised on American and foreign TV reruns and international cinema, I learned that stories sound universal, no matter the language. Those early influences led me to play various instruments and write bilingual character‑driven jingle scripts. And now… songs crafted for sync. Each rooted in emotion and authenticity.

This album carries that lifelong journey forward: cinematic instrumentals marrying orchestral storytelling with modern textures. My hope is simple—to compose music that helps audiences close their eyes, imagine vividly, and dream just a little longer.

[10 tracks / instrumentals]

When I step into my studio, I have more fun when I don’t plan too much. It’s usually a spontaneous moment — an idea, a groove, that makes me the happiest! A tone that just feels right. Within hours, that spark becomes a song. That’s how most of this 2025 collection came to life: raw, free-flowing sessions that capture the fun of playing just for the joy of it… with SYNC in mind.

Plugging my guitar into a 5150 head and a half-stack Marshall cab, or even going direct, I chase sound more by instinct than formula. I’ve been at this since childhood — bass at ten, piano at seven, trumpet at twelve, guitar since fourteen — and each instrument still feels like a doorway to possibility.

So many iconic guitarist influences come to mind when I approach songwriting with a guitar in hand. Sometimes I’ve channeled a Carlos Santana vibe, or a more classical Spanish guitar oriented. Other times a more simplified country and pop approach on guitar leads the song. When writing with a bass in hand; I channel Latin, blues, funk, RnB, and Jazz greats where possible. Or I also simply improvise with melodies on keys.

All these tracks are built on feel, not perfection, for a more retro vibe. Vintage tones meeting modern mixing and musical spontaneity grounded by decades of playing live, touring, and writing. For me, composing isn’t work; it’s a necessity — an effortless flow that connects dreams, discipline, and that spark of pure creativity that hits when you least expect it. The music is always flowing… it’s up to me to catch it!

[11 tracks / vocals]

Let’s rock on as humans who are better than A.I. generated music… do I have your attention?

Music runs in my family’s veins. My father, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, had his own guitars, amps, keyboards/pianos, reel-to-reel recorders, and a trumpet that I would one day play in the school marching band (where I met my wife).

Growing up, we often turned family gatherings into jam sessions — my father singing and playing boogie-woogie guitar, me on “walking blues” electric bass guitar, my siblings singing harmonies.

It was in those living room concerts where songwriting first found me as I studied how he played cool guitar jazz chords and composed his own upbeat fun versions of song remakes of classics like: “Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy”, “Cotton Fields”, and “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!”.

As a teen, I carried that musical curiosity to learn and passion into church as a bassist and later into original rock bands and solo projects playing clubs and small venues as I ventured out into the world from USA to Mexico. I write bilingual lyrics. That cross-cultural mix continues to inspire everything I record today.

This collection blends indie, alternative, and rock energy — a reflection of decades of home studio creativity and stage experience, distilled into one cohesive, sync-ready sound.

My 2025 catalog is complete and new 2026 material is already taking shape. I’m continuing to grow while exploring even more sonic worlds — adding new textures, languages, and emotions to keep every track personal and real.

The mission stays the same: create from the heart, stay authentic, and offer music that connects beyond genres or trends.

Full mix tracks are available
to music supervisors, agents,
and libraries upon request.

Tracks / cutdowns / stems shared directly via private DISCO secure links after we connect.

Just reach out clicking “e-mail me” below.
I’ll respond promptly.


© 2026 John D Griffin / SonicGrif Music 3989241
SonicGrif Media LLC

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