Greta Van Fleet

GRETA VAN FLEET RETURNS WITH A JOYOUS NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO, “MY WAY, SOON”

By T.J. It’s been a little over a year since we’ve heard anything from Greta Van Fleet, but now they’re back. Yes, the band that was touted worldwide as a Led Zeppelin clone has just released a new single and a video to go with it. After nearly three years of touring with their debut album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army, which was released in 2018, the band is striking back with a new sound and a new direction.

Tired of hearing the comparisons between their band and Led Zeppelin, the band is back to show that they are more than just a Led Zeppelin sound-alike band. Their new single is titled “My Way, Soon” and definitely features a new direction for the band. The song is slated to be included on the band’s new album, which they are currently working on. Last year the band stated that they were going to shed this image that both elevated them to star status, and pidgin-holed them in a narrow field. With the release of “My Way, Soon” they feel that they are well on the way to do that. 76 Rock and Blues International • November 2020 Written in more of a shuffle arrangement, the band expresses the transition that they have made from being a teenage garage band to becoming a national touring act. “My Way, Soon” is a real rocker and sounds a bit different from what we’ve been hearing from the band. It displays a more mature sound that is creeping in to be their own, although it is still rooted in that 60s and 70s retro sound that they have become known for. Along with the song comes a new video that is both playful and retro with a look that resembles being filmed from one of those old Super 8 cameras. The video features the band at play with both performance footage and leisure time mixed in showing both their serious side and their playful side.

“This song was inspired by what three years of touring did by opening so many doorways. This is my truth, how I feel about all of our travels, but I know it echoes the experiences and changes of perspectives for Jake, Sam, and Danny as well,” explains lead singer Josh Kiszka.

It’s been quite a ride for the young band that started out in their parent’s garage just a few years ago with their first song, “Highway Tune.” Almost immediately they started drawing attention to themselves and their music before they even reached their 18th birthdays. “Highway Tune” went on to become an international hit and propelled them to the top of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Singles chart. Within no time they had released their first album and had 3 more singles rocketing up the charts. They even received a GRAMMY® Award for “Best Rock Album” for their debut album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army. It didn’t take long after that before they received their first Gold Album Award. Things were going crazy for the band. Everywhere they performed was a sold-out show, in fact, they had 246 sold-out shows in 13 countries spread out over 5 continents.

It was amazing… the band was selling out shows before a couple of them had even graduated High School. They found themselves performing on late night television shows, such as “The Tonight Show” and “Saturday Night Live,” shows that were usually reserved for seasoned musicians. They had certainly come a long way in such a short time. It was hard to believe those months before that they were living in their parent’s homes in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Now Josh, his twin brother Jake (guitar), his younger brother Sam (bass, keyboards) and their best friend Danny Wagner (drums) found themselves traveling the world in what was definitely a “new normal” for them.

As Danny explains, “The definition of ’normal’ has very much broadened over the past couple of years, and it has affected us as musicians, especially in the writing and recording of this new album. We realized that while growing up, we had been shielded by a lot of things, we were unaware of a lot of things. And then we were thrown out into this huge world, and it was a bit of a culture shock at first.”

“We’ve seen how people live in different parts of the world,” added Sam, “and we’ve developed intrinsic respect for different cultures and people. We’ve gone from driving down a highway to a show and seeing endless miles of shantytowns in Sao Paulo, to playing some of the richest places on earth.”

Added Jake, “The more we’ve seen different cultures, people, and traditions we’ve also seen a similarity between ourselves and these different cultures. It surprises me how similar we all are.” song, a video and a goal to shed any comparisons of them and any other musicians out there. They are forging a path all their own and their new single, “My Way, Soon” is a great way to hit the road. It definitely shows a new side and a new direction to the band. I think that perhaps the words to their new song explains it all.

“I’ve seen many people There are so many people Some are much younger people And some are so old

I’ve seen many places There are so many places And where are the people going Will they choose the road I’ve packed my bags and I’ve got my freedom I’ve sacked the rules so I don’t have to heed them I’ll bet on a chance if I’ve just got one I’ll throw out the plans and live with no burden

I have but a lifetime Seems so long but it flies by And in the moments passing I’ll bear no load

I have yet to wander Many miles far yonder And with so much left to ponder I choose the road

I’ve packed my bags and I’ve got my freedom I’ve sacked the rules so I don’t have to heed them I’ll bet on a chance if I’ve just got one I’ll throw out the plans and live with no burden

I’ve packed my bags and I’ve got my freedom I’ve sacked the rules so I don’t have to heed them I’ll bet on a chance if I’ve just got one I’ll throw out the plans and live with no burden”

Keep you eyes focused on the pages of Rock And Blues International and when we have more news on Greta Van Fleet and their upcoming album, we’ll let you know about it.