Last weekend, I suddenly lost my uncle, John Griffin. I had just seen him three weeks ago for his 76th birthday. But I didn’t just lose my uncle/godfather — I’ve lost one of my best friends and most towering influences in life, someone I loved like a second father. I owe so much to him. Me becoming a music writer was inspired in part by watching him do it from afar thanks to his 30 years at the Montreal Gazette, where he wrote about music and later film. His hilariously insightful perspective on music, and the ways in which he articulated that, rubbed off on me in unquantifiable ways.
I wouldn’t be the writer, journalist or music nerd I am today without him. Full stop.
But above all, he was just my uncle Johnny. So many memories throughout my childhood, adolescence and young adulthood involve him somehow. His Habs fandom helped breed my own, and became something we bonded over for years to come. Days and nights spent at the house he and my aunt lived at in Montreal West are memories I’m still deeply attached to. (I’ve added more of my favourite memories in the comments.)
Despite his health struggles in recent years, we maintained a close relationship, and I always looked forward to seeing him whenever I’d visit my parents in the Eastern Townships, where he’d resided for the last 14 years. He’d be an ever-present fixture at their house, celebrating birthdays and holidays while being his usual quick-witted, effortlessly charismatic self. He may have had his flaws, but at his best, he lit up the room of any party or gathering he walked into.
The hole this loss has left in me is incalculable, and I don’t know how I will ever recover from this. I really thought we still had more time… I won’t feel the true weight of this for a long time to come. I’m just numb everywhere. I’m beyond devastated I will never get to say a proper goodbye and tell him how much he’s meant to me my whole life. But I’m sure he already knew.
I’ll do my best to continue his legacy and embody his spirit as long as I can, in the best way I know how. I already feel his presence all around me.
Sleep well, Uncle Johnny, until we meet again. Give my love to Nanny for me. Who loves ya ❤️🕊️💫
YOUR BOY GOT THE THREEPEAT 🔥 for the third straight year, one of my pieces has made Invisible Publishing’s list of the year’s Best Canadian Music Writing! Thanks so much to @delcowie for including my feature about the Dears on the list — it’s one I’m very proud of 🙏🏻🥂 link in bio and stories to see the full list!
My interview with Thundercat is finally here, and it’s the cover story to this month’s issue of Cult MTL! Go to cultmtl dot com to read the story online or pick up a physical copy of the issue 🙌🏻⚡️🐱 @cultmtl@thundercatmusic
Baby’s first PWHL game 🏒🥅 unfortunate result in the end but at least I got to see Laura Stacey score a hat trick and also see the raging transphobe on Minnesota’s team get ejected 😈 amazing to see the heights women’s hockey has been reaching! @victoire_lphf
Gelli Haha last night was the most fun I’ve had at a show in a HOT minute ☁️✨🐬🫧 (swipe to see clips of opening act Big Sis and of @meggielennonxox blowing bubbles)
Three weeks without my uncle 💔 a celebration of life will be taking place June 21 in Knowlton, QC between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Theatre Lac-Brome, for those who knew and loved John and want to pay their respects. If you wish to make a donation in his honour, please do so either to your choice of animal shelter or to the Pettes Memorial Library in Knowlton ✨🕊️
