With gorgeous album 'Divisions,' Milwaukee group Greatest Lakes a must-see at Summerfest

Through "Divisions," Greatest Lakes are united through harmony.

With the dreamy psychedelia of the Beach Boys at the core of its influences, the Milwaukee band's gorgeous sophomore album showcases layers of lush music, providing comfort, and inspiring awe, across tales of strife. 

It's certainly one of the most cinematic albums made in Milwaukee in recent years, and the songs are just as powerful live, earning the band an inspired opening slot for like-minded indie rock band Grizzly Bear on Summerfest's Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage on opening night June 27, and making the Journal Sentinel's list of must-see acts at the Big Gig this year. 

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Who's who: Tim Feret (drums); Mike Hawes (bass and vocals); Jon Nichols (lead vocals and auxiliary percussion); Brian Steinseifer (guitar and vocals); Danny Strash (guitar and vocals) 

Band name backstory: Hawes: We were spending some time writing some music on a cabin trip, and the scenery made us think about the Great Lakes. It's a tribute to where we've grown up. 

When formed: Hawes: Jon, Brian and I started in Greatest Lakes in 2010. We were in the same music scene and played in high school bands and stuff.

Nichols: We did psychedelic, experimental … 

Steinseifer: We were in an emo band, played a lot of ska and punk music. We all pretty much grew up together. Mike and I knew each other since second grade, and Jon lived across the street from me from fifth grade on. And Tim and Danny played together in the past, too. 

Making "Divisions": Hawes: We started working on it in late 2016 and only did one show in 2017. We took awhile demo-ing songs and spending long days writing. We got hooked up with Beau Sorenson, who mixed the record.

Steinseifer: He's a Wisconsin guy who moved out to California and works at Tiny Telephone, John Vanderslice's all-analog studio. He's done quite a bit of work for Death Cab for Cutie; he did a lot of the new Superchunk album.

I think we knew in the back of our minds, whether or not we talked about it, that we wanted songs we could perform a certain way. Our last album ("Greatest Lakes") was really kind of chill. The more we play bigger shows, bigger festivals, naturally we wanted to bring more energy and that influenced the songs as they were taking shape. 

Nichols: Lyrically, whether the songs are about relationships or friendships, they're from the heart, and they're about things I experienced. It's extremely revealing to put yourself out there, but it's also therapeutic. 

Standout songs: Hawes: "Set Sail" was something we demoed years back and are proud of how that one evolved when Tim joined the band. And "Forest" captures the atmospheric side and the rocking side. 

Steinseifer: Each verse in "Set Sail" is written from the perspective of two different friends who were moving away. On the surface they are kind of strange lyrics in a way, but I think people can probably relate to them. It's fairly deep stuff for a really jovial song. 

Nichols: "Forest" is about going through a rocky time but wanting the will to get through it. 

Goals for the future: Hawes: Hopefully, we'll branch out some more out of the area and do more shows for more people. 

Steinseifer: The ultimate goal is to keep making noise together.

Next gig: 7 p.m. June 23, East Stage, SummerSoulstice, the free east side street festival on E. North Ave. No cover.

Watch two exclusive performances of "Set Sail" and "Forest" from Greatest Lakes at jsonline.com/music. Sound Check appears the 15th of each month online and in the Journal Sentinel.