Jason Siegel
For many, the fantasy of stepping away from the daily grind remains just that—a dream. For GRiZ, it became a reality.
It has been three years since the celebrated bass-funk virtuoso hit pause on his career. On June 6, 2023, he shared a candid message with his followers, noting that his life had become so frenetic he had lost sight of his own journey. He chose to step back without a definitive timeline, prioritizing his well-being over industry expectations.
During this sabbatical, he traded tour riders for controller pads, losing himself in the worlds of video games and Dungeons & Dragons. He prioritized his health, quit smoking, embraced therapy, and moved to his home state of Michigan to reconnect with his family. Just as he felt centered and began orchestrating his return with the launch of his Seven Stars music festival, life dealt him a heavy blow: his father passed away.
The loss was profound. Having been estranged from his father for 16 years, the news was, in his own words, like “having the roof of your house ripped off.” Despite the personal turmoil and the subsequent passing of his grandfather, GRiZ found the resilience to honor his commitments, successfully debuting his sold-out Seven Stars festival in October.
Speaking with Billboard from his Denver residence, the producer—born Grant Kwiecinski—radiates a renewed sense of clarity. Between moments of petting his dog, Frankie, he reflects on his hiatus and his latest project, Future Funk Volume 1, which arrives this Friday (June 5). While he has dropped various singles over the past year, this collection serves as a definitive mission statement for his sonic identity: a blend of high-energy grit and soulful funk that mirrors his own Gemini nature.
With an upcoming summer tour including performances at Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, and a second iteration of Seven Stars, GRiZ is ready to reconnect with his audience—not just as an artist, but as a person who has rediscovered why he makes music in the first place: to experience life to its fullest.
On the Choice to Disconnect
Reflecting on your initial announcement, you spoke about establishing boundaries. How did that process serve you?
“I reached a breaking point where the pressure felt insurmountable. I lacked the tools to handle the relentless pace of touring and the demands of being a public figure. I was at a crossroads: either find a way to manage the stress or risk a total breakdown. I needed to learn how to say ‘no’ to professional overextension and ‘yes’ to the simple moments, like birthdays and family time.”
Was it hard to balance your identity with the demands of your career?
“Absolutely. It’s difficult to disentangle your sense of self from your profession. When my entire identity was tied to being ‘the artist,’ any professional setback felt like a personal failure. I had to learn how to exist outside of the studio and the stage.”
Did you always know you would return?
“Definitely. It wasn’t a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when.’ I had goals: move back to Michigan, quit nicotine, find a therapist, and give myself the luxury of writing music without the shadow of a deadline.”
Looking ahead, what defines your current sound?
“My roots are in IDM, hip-hop, and the soul records my parents loved. I’ve always lived in that middle space—wanting the bass to be heavier and the funk to be more exuberant. With Future Funk Volume 1, I finally captured that essence in one cohesive project. This is only the beginning.”
You sound incredibly energized.
“I feel inspired. I’ve found a solid foundation in knowing who I am when the stage lights fade. Grief and joy can coexist, and I’m ready to share that journey with my community. They deserve the best version of me, and for the first time, I feel completely prepared to give it.”
