Heart and hope: Grammy-winning folk musician Patty Griffin to play Albuquerque, Santa Fe

Singer-songwriter Patty Griffin has had an illustrious career, from her critically and commercially successful 1996 debut, “Living with Ghosts,” to being honored with the Americana Music Association’s Artist of the Year award in 2007 to Grammy wins in 2011 and 2019. Her 11th album, “Crown of Roses,” released in July, was nominated for Best Folk Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

Griffin will perform at the KiMo Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and The Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe on Friday, Feb. 13. The set list is weighted toward her newer material, exploring themes of pain, loss and transformation.

“I made a record last year called ‘Crown of Roses.’ I have been doing a lot of that record at my shows,” Griffin said.

Griffin was born in Old Town, Maine — a small town in Penobscot County whose relative isolation and unique mix of cultures have influenced her music and her outlook on life.

“I come from Maine, so that’s pretty different from most places in the U.S. My dad was first-generation Irish American. My mom’s from French speaking Acadian and Quebecois people, which spills into the U.S. from Canada into Maine and Vermont,” Griffin said. “I’m so proud of who and where I’m from.”

Critics have praised Griffin for her emotionally raw lyrics, with Glide Magazine calling her latest release “chillingly introspective.”

Communicating openly about emotions was not something that came naturally to her family when she was growing up, however.

“I come from people who showed their love through hard work more than hugs,” Griffin said. “A lot of my work has been about them and for them.”

Griffin moved to Austin, Texas, in 1997 and has been living there ever since.

“It’s been good to live in Austin. Texas has a gigantic music culture, a huge blend of things from all its parts and a high level of quality within that,” Griffin said. “It keeps me working hard.”

Griffin said she is looking forward to performing in New Mexico, a state she loves.

“New Mexico is still mysterious to me,” she said. “There’s a lot going on there. I really love and respect the place. I think there are probably a lot of grounded people that live there. I’m sure some aren’t of course, but that’s the feeling I get when I’m here. It’s ancient.”

Artists from Emmylou Harris to Sugarland to The Chicks have covered Griffin’s songs, and she enjoys hearing different artists bring their unique approach to her work.

“I really appreciate it all,” she said.

Griffin listens to a wide range of music and often recommends underappreciated artists.

“I don’t think Rosa Passos is super well known in the U.S.,” Griffin said. “She’s from Brazil. She’s magical. She also posts goodnight songs on Instagram pretty regularly for her fans. I love her.”

Over the years, Griffin has survived many hardships, including a divorce early in her career and a battle with breast cancer.

“I’m less scared of things than I used to be, because I’m older,” she said. “Life has humbled me a few times now, and there’s been a lot of good that’s come out of that.”

She hopes her hard-won wisdom can help other people find comfort in their own lives.

“I’m a singer. I think my job is to keep doing that as long as it brings people something they need,” she said. “Music can bring comfort. I would like to do that.”

Rather than fearing uncertainty, Griffin has learned to embrace the mysteries of life.

“We know so little about the universe,” she said. “That gives me hope.”

Logan Royce Beitmen is an arts writer for the Albuquerque Journal. He covers visual art, music, fashion, theater and more. Reach him at lbeitmen@abqjournal.com or on Instagram at @loganroycebeitmen.