Exactly 3 years after their last visit, Greta Van Fleet are scheduled to come to Brazil during the month of May. The band will open for Metallica on four dates and will perform a solo show in Rio de Janeiro promoting their most recent album, The Battle At Garden's Gate (2021).
In an interview with Wikimetal , vocalist Josh Kiszka spoke about what we can expect and promised a performance with a completely different production from their last visit to our country. He also commented on the band's relationship with Metallica, the nervousness of performing before such a relevant band, and artists he would like to collaborate with.
Check out the full conversation:
Wikimetal: Hi Josh! It's a pleasure to talk to you. First of all, you and some other members have faced some health issues recently and had to cancel some tour dates. How are you all doing now?
Josh Kiszka: It was a surprise when it happened, especially because it was right at the beginning of a new tour and a very busy year with many shows scheduled. It was a really funny trick the gods played on us [laughs]. But maybe it's better that it happened now and not later. We're almost fully recovered.
We've been taking it slow and using a lot of our free time to write and keep ourselves busy as much as we can, as we always do. We're more excited right now. We feel much better and are very much looking forward to this next leg of the tour so we can visit you.
WM: I'm glad to hear that! How do you feel about returning to Brazil?
JK: It's been a while [since we were there] and we made a lot of friends there. It'll be great to go back and see them all. Of course, the initial response we had to our work from the people in Brazil was extraordinary. Very, very special. Compared to audiences in other parts of the world, it's one of the most beautiful and lively, and it's a lot of fun to play for you guys.
I think people really watch the show and absorb the meaning of the music very deeply, in a more cerebral and celebratory way. It's really cool to play in front of that audience; it makes us eager to present the new songs. There's a lot of a new album and a new universe to be explored. That's one of the most exciting things about what's to come.
WM: Speaking of deeper meanings, one of the songs on your most recent album, “Tears of Rain,” is partly inspired by your last visit to Brazil, right? Can you tell me more about it?
JK: In a more literal sense, “Tears of Rain” is about a nomadic people seeking salvation, waiting for the rain, searching for some kind of garden, some kind of hope. And we see that in various places around the world, everywhere. I moved to Nashville and every day I drive around the city and see all kinds of people searching [for something] and some people trying to put that into music, finding that salvation everywhere. And I could see that in some of the hardships I witnessed.
We're from a small town, so when we travel more, we see more of the world than we're normally used to. You see more people, more cultures, more customs, more traditions. It's quite shocking, it's a culture shock. And that's a prevalent aspect of history since the advent of humanity, so I thought of putting it under a primitive aspect. That's how "Tears of Rain" was born.
WM: It's a beautiful song, congratulations! I want to talk a little about Metallica because you're going to open some of their shows in Brazil and you recently opened some of their shows in Las Vegas. How was that experience?
JK: It was extraordinary. You have to stay really composed in front of one of the most influential rock and roll bands of our generation, on stage, playing for their fans. Just because those people, those fans, are so dedicated! They are very invested in this world and have been a part of it for a long time.
They are very welcoming and I want to give them the best show possible, and I know that performing before Metallica is a great achievement. That has been my biggest nervousness, opening for Metallica, but it's been fantastic and also very exciting to see people paying attention to our show and to see so many of our fans coming to the shows. It's a great mix, and the whole audience is very stimulating, not just the stage. That's great, and I think it's quite poetic.
They [Metallica] are incredible people and wonderful to work with. They have been nothing short of fantastic to us and we are very grateful for that. We are excited to play more shows with them.
WM: Have you ever received any praise or advice from Metallica?
JK: Well, I know they watched! I know James and Lars watched the show and went backstage to make a friendship offer, sort of, and look after us. And I think they like to give us freedom, which is great [laughs]. I'd love to spend more time with them and get to know them better. They've been fantastic.
And of course, there are the accommodations and the paraphernalia [laughs]. They send bottles [of certain drinks] to the dressing rooms, so they've been very kind in that regard as well.
WM: That's great! Was Metallica part of your musical influences while you were growing up?
JK: We didn't listen to Metallica that much, but I know we were familiar with some of their music because my mom and dad listened to it a lot. We listened to a lot of CDs, and they played on the radio sometimes. In a way, I think they had some impact on us. Maybe not in an extraordinary or groundbreaking way, but honestly, they did. And of course, I think they changed rock and paved the way so that we couldn't do what we do in music today without Metallica. I think they carved the mold for a whole generation and a whole musical genre. Certainly, they influenced what we do.
WM: Are there any other artists or bands you'd like to play with?
JK: Absolutely! I always think I'm forgetting someone when I talk about artists I'd love to play with, open for, or bring on tour with us, but someone I'd love to meet, open for, or write something with is Adele . I love Adele. She's one of my favorites. And I think Florence + The Machine is a fantastic rock and roll band. I think they're very rock and roll in the way they perform their music and how they convey a message live. It's fantastic. The same thing with Adele, she's very good live.
Another artist I'd really like to meet is called Melanie , and I heard she lives in Nashville now. She's one of the artists who played at Woodstock , and her work is fantastic. Joni Mitchell is also extraordinary, although I don't know if she's been touring lately. I'm sure I'm forgetting several others [laughs].
WM: I'm glad you mentioned Florence because I fell in love with her music after seeing a concert. I didn't know her before and it was love at first sight.
JK: Me too! She's extraordinary, she's a fairy. She's very magical. I love her vibe.
WM: I think you two would make a good combination. I'll be waiting for a partnership!
JK: I'll work on it!
WM: You mentioned live shows and the expectation of presenting new music, so I'd like to know in more detail what we can expect from the shows in Brazil.
JK: Regarding Greta Van Fleet and what we've set out to do, the production won't be anything Brazilian audiences have ever seen from us. We take our costumes very seriously, and this will be quite different from what we've done before. It also depends on the show because, as a band, we've evolved in many ways, and time has passed in these two strange years. I feel like a stronger singer than ever, and we, as a band, feel stronger than ever.
And live performances are a completely different thing. For the album, we went into the studio intending to record something that would last and be bigger than ourselves. But live performances are something that, even if we played the same setlist every night – which we don't – would still be a different show every night because they only happen once, and what we create on stage will be different each night.
Many times we put together a set before going on stage purely based on how we feel, and we play based on what we feel. It's kind of strange, but we have wonderful people working in production with us who do things very organically and follow the band's flow because many moments deviate from the plan or are invented on the spot. So I think it's something much more elevated and mature compared to the last time we were in Brazil.
WM: You have a very unique and beautiful singing voice. Do you follow any vocal routine before shows?
JK: I think I just sing. I sing before going on stage and I sing when I leave. I also like to have a whiskey with lemon and honey to give me that courage [laughs].
WM: You mentioned that you guys are writing new songs. Is there anything you can tell me about them?
JK: I can tell you there will be new music! [laughs]
WM: That's a relief! [laughs] Finally, is there any last message you'd like to share with your Brazilian fans?
JK: We can't wait to finally get back and see so many beautiful faces. We hope everyone chooses the road and comes celebrate with us because we're ready for it!