GRETA VAN FLEET - SACRED THE THREAD
Grammy-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet have unveiled their newest single “Sacred The Thread” from their upcoming album, Starcatcher.
“I always like to think that some people’s first impression of Greta Van Fleet in concert is, “Wow, these guys really like dressing to the left and blowing shit up,” vocalist Josh Kiszka stated. “This song is particularly important to me because it’s about my jumpsuits.” In fact, the mid-tempo celestial rock number gives us a different view on a deeper meaning of gems, sequins, and glamour.
“I see me through colors, gems and trim. Unraveled, ah. The glow that was once dim. I’ve seen it in the stars, to dress up the wound, heal a scar.” Kiszka continues onto the chorus, “I’ve caught the wind in a kite of dreams, in a flight of seams. Like freedom sewn; and the people roar, and the people soar. Sacred the thread.” These lyrics lean towards the notion that Kiszka may feel most like himself wearing glitzy, sparkling clothing and makeup; He may see himself as the glow that was once dim.
Looking at the progression of Greta Van Fleet as artists and performers from their beginning in 2013 to now, a decade later, you can see an exceedingly visible increase in confidence and security in themselves. With that increase in confidence, came their individualization in their stage outfits. The band that once was in jeans and t-shirts performing in bars now wear decorated jumpsuits, cropped-jacket suits, and makeup on their stadium tours. These lyrical lines that Kiszka is delivering so effortlessly in this tune conveys how their stage outfits have grown and flourished along with their dream as performers.
As for the instrumentation, the historically classic-rock inspired band has delved into a beautiful, psychedelic rock. Sacred The Thread adds echoed, reverbed vocals, transcendental guitar, and stunning string and harp patches. It feels sparkly in a sense, which is especially fitting. The track was incredibly well produced, and exudes the most freeing emotion while listening.
The album, Starcatcher, was written entirely by the band - Josh Kiszka on vocals, Jake Kiszka on guitar, Sam Kiszka on bass/keyboards, and Daniel Wagner on drums. The record was produced by Dave Cobb (Brandi Carlisle, Chris Stapleton) in the esteemed RCA Studios in Nashville.
According to Dave Cobb, the band “explores the duality of fantasy versus reality and the contrast between light and darkness”. “We had this idea that we wanted to tell these stories to build a universe.” Says drummer Daniel Wagner. “We wanted to introduce characters and motifs and these ideas that would come about here and there throughout our careers through this world.”
The band took many concepts and motifs from their second album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate and inserted them into Starcatcher, but bassist Sam Kiszka states that the new album hints at new beginnings. “When I imagine the world of Starcatcher, I think of the cosmos,” he says. “It makes me ask a lot of questions, like ‘Where did we come from?’ Or ‘What is this consciousness that we have, and where did it come from?”
Stream the new single Sacred The Thread here. The album, Starcatcher, is due to release July 21st. You can pre-save the album here.