An arrangement of drum sets and guitars awaits junior June Griffith as she strolls into the band room at the beginning of Power Hour. After, learning to play the guitar, just over a year ago, Griffith started producing music under the name Armadillo Petting Zoo last April.
“I was walking in the woods with a very good friend, and we saw a dead armadillo,” she said. “We were talking about how armadillos carry leprosy and she said something about an armadillo petting zoo. I thought it was a pretty cool name, so I asked her if I could steal it. I guess that’s how it all started.”
During winter break, June struck a deal with record label Magnetic Reign Recordings through an online forum for musicians. Since the moment June began playing the guitar, her life has become “completely intertwined” with music.
“I’m not sure if music can affect my life considering music is my life,” she said. “That’s like asking someone how water has affected their life. If you want a simpler answer, it’s my cure for everything. During a rough period of my life I went to therapy for a while, but it never really worked. Music has given me the outlet therapy couldn’t give.”
June’s inspiration didn’t transpire out of nowhere. Her father, Richard Griffith, is the lead guitarist of the Akron, Ohio-based band The Balboas. Even without his musical guidance, June said her love for music blossomed.
“I did everything in my power to try and not motivate her towards music,” Richard said. “I didn’t want to force her because she’s stubborn, and if I brought it into conversation, I knew I’d force her away from it. One day she came to me and said, ‘Dad, do you have any guitars you’re not using?’ and I said, ‘Yes, I do!’ knowing full well what she was about to become.”
Playing at venues and concerts throughout the United States, Richard has performed at his fair share of musical festivals.
“I find [music] makes me a better person,” he said. “It allows for [musicians] to be creative and do it in a way that doesn’t conform to expectations. Because of us being able to break the rules, it puts us in a situation where we become a family, and we love each other more. I draw power and comfort from that.”
June said she defies common lyricism by leaving the meaning of her music open to individual interpretation.
“There’s this quote by Robert Frost where someone was asking him what one of his poems was about, and he said, ‘You want me to say it worse?’’’ she said. “Ever since I heard that, it’s been my philosophy. I’m fine with telling people what I mean in a lyric but not until they have made up their mind about what it means to them because I don’t want to influence anyone in that regard. It’s really important that, as much as this music is mine, it’s also yours.”
June hasn’t limited her musical talents to her band. For Senior Project, Halle Konicki is writing and programming a video game, and Griffith has offered to write demos for her soundtrack.
“It wouldn’t be nearly as special if I just found free music online and inserted it into the game; that would be a chore and would lack any and all passion,” Konicki said. “June also has a really great understanding of music and knows lots of great game music from games similar to mine and my inspirations.”
Senior Sean McLeod, a friend and assistant in June’s music production, often takes part in bringing her music to life, whether by filling in as a drummer or a saxophone player. He said June’s talent is unusual and extraordinary, especially for her age.
“The music process comes very naturally to June,” McCleod said. “When June picks up a guitar, it’s like the scene from ‘Ratatouille’ where Remy the rat realizes his culinary talents: he eats the cheese and there is a flash of yellow light, and then he eats the strawberry and there’s a flash of red light. I see the fireworks and rainbows when June picks up a guitar.”
During the upcoming spring break, June and her band Band Practice are planning a live studio album with senior Lillian Goodman and McLeod.
“I get on this plane that’s beyond physical, and I know the people I’m playing with are there too,” she said. “Our bodies are below, but it’s as if we’re the music and the music is us, and for a moment, we’re one. I truly believe there’s no connection deeper than playing music with someone.”