Anathallo, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Paul Simon, Iron and Wine, The Shins, Sufjan Stevens, This Day and Age, Radiohead, Broken Social Scene, Explosions in the Sky, Blue Man Group, The Beatles, To Sail, ee cummings, Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Daniel's
Great Lakes was formed in the winter of 2008 by Peter Winter and Matthew Marson, following the amicable split-up of their previous band, High Lively (www.myspace.com/highlively).
During five years with High Lively, Pete had composed a number of songs that had never made it to the practice room. These songs became the basis for a new project - Great Lakes. Using these stockpiled songs as a blueprint, Matt and Pete sought out players that would compliment their unique blend of folky, finger-style guitar and spacey, post-rock inspired riffs.
The first acquisitions were pianist John Day and vocalist Joelle Jantomaso. Over a period of several months, this quartet fine tuned their songs and began recording a self-produced EP with friend and engineer, Ben Hooke. Part way through recording, the addition of drummer Logan Cook and bass player Stirling Walsh solidified their line up and Great Lakes was officially formed.
The band takes its namesake from a song that was already written by Peter (himself a great lakes native). They rehearse in a living room and welcome guest performers and new friends.
