The land of Michigan has given the world a deluge of multiple necessities and sheer pleasures outside of what at one time was the auto industry mecca . Like its heart and soul of the blue collared working person that breeds an indelible , almost pioneer spirit , the music from here reflects its surroundings as once again this 26th state , added to the Union in January of 1837 , is having a rebirth . The possibility of this land known warmly for its industrial explosion in the region of the Great Lakes is now standing at possibly a new dawn ... the creation of being a strong contender for the music scene , much like Nashville is today .
With this in mind , the resonating rock and blues plus more yet to be revealed have begun with the band , Greta Van Fleet . They are poised and ready to bring the elements of rock n ' roll up to the next level .
Recently bassist Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet took some time out while they are on tour to give their fans some insight into their musical beginnings , how the band developed , where their influences come from , and just where they are going . We may all be surprised as Greta Van Fleet reaches back to pull forward in a way that showcases their true identity of diversity and the techniques of who they really are as modern day musicians .
Song River : Listening to your four tracks over and over again this thought took form ... not only can Great Van Fleet play and sing but the band collectively has a gift inside . - could one say that either you have it or you don ' t ? Sam Kiszka : I don ’ t think I particularly have anything special , but musically I would be pretty much crippled without my brothers and best friend . Not only can I bring ideas to them , but they ’ ve taken them in a direction that is so unique , and the same thing I ’ d want to do with the ideas but didn ’ t know I wanted to do . Deep down , everyone has “ it ,” their own unique style , whether they are involved in business , art , politics , whatever . I think our band formed at the right time with the right people , and the universe has put everything in place .
Song River : Growing up how did the introduction of what binds you all come together ? Was your family just casual about their music ? Sam Kiszka : Actually yes , our parents were very casual about music , they played it around the house , never forced it on us , they just liked it , and the music they played resonated with us . One of my earliest memories about music was discovering The Beatles and playing some of their songs on my iPod shuffle . After about a month of hearing those songs , I was ready for something new so I found some new songs and put them on my iPod . “ Let It Be ,” “ Octopus Garden ,” “ I ’ m Looking Through You ,” and so much more , all these great songs and I couldn ’ t believe were all by The Beatles !
Song River : Curious question- were you home schooled / public schooled or private schooled ? Sam Kiszka : We all went to public school . The Frankenmuth school district is one of the top 1 0 best schools in Michigan , fabulous school , great teachers , and EXCELLENT staff , all just fantastic people . I went there for all 1 2 grades and graduated with pride .
Song River : Were music lessons in your repertoire of growing up ? If so , where did you begin your training under classical or ? Sam Kiszka : I never had a music lesson , ever . I think I started learning bass when I heard Creedence Clearwater Revival play “ I Heard It Through the Grapevine .” I loved that riff , so I picked up dad ’ s bass , an off-brand Japanese bass that he hadn ’ t touched in five years . Jake and Kyle [ Greta Van Fleet ’ s first drummer ] were in our garage playing guitar and drums fo hours and hours after school and I wanted to be part of it . So I learned that Creedence riff , learned bass from listening to James Jamerson ’ s old Motown songs .
Some of the best musicians are self-taught . I just read Eric Clapton ’ s autobiography and in i he wrote about how he ’ d listen to Freddy King , BB King , he ’ d sit there and learn the licks Then he ’ d record them on this old , cheap tape recorder he had and just keep practicing an recording , practicing and recording , and he ’ s one of the best guitarists ever . I wanted to lear his guitar solo on “ Leyla ,” so I watched him playing it on YouTube , four or five differen performances . You learn the licks , you practice , and then you develop your own style by takin what you hear and experiencing it in your soul , then you can play it from the heart .
Song River : How important is technique to each of you as you have grown with your ow instrument of choice ? Is there a particular artist for each of you that you have studied in dept to hone your own passion ? Who among you can play multiple instruments ? Sam Kiszka : We all have naturally experimental minds , our shared mentality has always bee ‘ what have we got to lose ’ for just trying something new . I started on bass , it was fun but then got bored and thought ‘ well , I can ’ t just be a bass player ,’ so I forced myself to learn keyboard I listened to Elton John ’ s ‘ Your Song ,’ that was the first song I learned to play on the keyboard I got into the jazz organist Jimmy Smith and learned to play more experimental music o keyboard . Then we found my great-grandpa ’ s Hammond M1 03 organ in our garage , the typ of organ that Procal Harum played on ‘ Whiter Shade of Pale .’ It ’ s such a beautiful instrumen beautiful curves , stunning finish , built with a heart , and we take it on the road with us - I ’ ll pla the songs ’ bass parts with the organ ’ s bass pedals . So , I play bass , keyboards , mandolin guitar , drums ( although I ’ m no Danny Wagner ), a little electric guitar and ukulele . I ’ m gettin back into saxophone and then I ’ ll learn to play lap steel guitar .
Song River : How refined are you all in rock n roll history ? Is it an important component to hav hold of the roots for what you create ? Sam Kiszka : I suppose the basics of rock ’ n ’ roll history are important , knowing the evolutio from African music and the blues slowing turning into rock . It ’ s important to know where th roots are . I ’ m a history buff , I love music history and trivia , stories about different band intersecting with each other , musicians ’ careers and personal lives . I find that I understan their music on a deeper level knowing random trivia .
Song River : Encouragement so often is the displaced portion of growing up . It often get replaced with expectations . A balance is always necessary though- for each of you how di your informative years find that balance and even still today as you ' ve all reached the age of 1 do you keep the balance individually and collectively ? Sam Kiszka : We were just encouraged by our parents , the only expectations were from ourselves . I will strive to be the best musician in the world , but that ’ s not going to happen . Bu I ’ ll still try . Our parents were not stern , they were very encouraging with us about school , ou creative exploits , everything .
Song River : What members come from rather large families and how many siblings do each o you have ? ( Twins ... it is a given ) Sam Kiszka : We have a sister , Veronica , she ’ s older than me and younger than Josh and Jake Compared to most people , we have a smaller family ; we know everyone on our mom ’ s side