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