Griffen Handshake – CANCEL (2022)
Some of the best projects come from familial endeavours; perhaps it is the close bond family members have with their siblings, parents, grandparents, great grandparents that influences the power of these projects. In the case of Griffen Handshake, the special relationship between brothers Millen and Arjun Schuchert is shared through music. Technically formed in 2019, although the lads had been playing since middle school, the Schuchert brothers began performing under the name Griffen Handshake. From their early performances across the local Pittsburgh scene to the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, My Box, in 2021, the brothers have gone from success to success.
Influenced by a diverse range of artists from Green Day and No Doubt to The Interrupters and Rush, Griffen Handshake’s music has a distinct nostalgic flair. A nod to the 90s pop-rock/pop-punk sound, tinges of Green Day, The Offspring, Bowling For Soup, and Weezer are sprinkled across Griffen Handshake’s melodies. Following their hard-hitting single ‘All My Friends Wanna Be Doctors’, the Schuchert brothers tap into their inner Sum 41 with the latest single ‘CANCEL’.
Powerful, bold and robust, Griffen Handshake has an “in your face” attitude in their songs. ‘CANCEL’ continues the toe-tapping pop-rock meets punk sound heard in ‘All My Friends Wanna Be Doctors’ – an evolution from My Box. While there is an almost palpable grittiness to their new singles, a sense of sophistication and elegance is heard in the compositions. Finding the line between brutally raw grit and more flowing pop, the lads highlight their unique means of being harsh but smooth.
Along with the intriguing melodies, Millen and Arjun Schuchert connect with listeners on a profound and intimate level; they’re not just pretty faces with mad music skills. Unafraid to touch on controversial topics, ‘CANCEL’ looks at cancel culture and an imperfect, anxiety-ridden society. The duo explains that “the lyrical inspiration came from…dealing with constant anxiety. ‘CANCEL’ is about cancel culture and how we should go about dealing with it…we do not need to tear ourselves down for what happened in the past or dwell on our insecurities. Rather, it’s important to strive to become better people by understanding the past and our flaws to inspire future positive action.”
For more from Griffen Handshake check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
