Church Bus are one of the best new bands coming out of the always thriving Grand Rapids, Michigan music scene. Their latest release “Halfway Here” is a true work of art as all six songs are unstoppable bangers with incredible production.
I got together with Church Bus singer/guitarist/songwriter Nate Leritz to talk about his early musical influences, how he started playing music and the making of “Halfway Here”.
CMM: What was the first music that really made an impact on you as a kid and what artists or bands did you enjoy the most?
Nate: I was a youth group kid, so pretty much everything I listened to had to be under the “christian rock” umbrella, Underoath, Anberlin, Relient K etc. Underoath’s They’re Only Chasing Safety was probably the first emo record I heard. I loved it immediately, much to my parents’ disappointment.
CMM: When did you first start playing music and writing your own songs?
Nate: Writing and playing have always gone hand in hand for me, I started playing when I was 11 or 12, bought a 4-track recorder shortly thereafter and started churning out the worst metalcore you’ve ever heard in your life.
CMM: You recently released a new E.P. titled “Halfway Here”. What was the writing and recording process for those songs like? Any particular gear and instruments you used during the recording sessions that helped inspire you?
Nate: Halfway Here was recorded over a period of almost 2 years, mainly because at that point I just wanted to make songs with my friends and had no real intention of turning it into an actual band. I’m pretty bad at coming up with stuff on the spot, so we always have a mostly complete demo recorded before hitting the studio. As for gear, the Fender Telecaster continues to be the finest guitar ever produced, and provides all the inspiration one could possibly need.
CMM: What’s the current scene like in Grand Rapids MI? Any other notable bands you all enjoy?
Nate: There are a lot of venues and promoters in Grand Rapids that really believe in what they do, just about every show I’ve been to has been a great time. There’s a country band here called The Bootstrap Boys that I’ve been vibing with, good honest music for good honest folks.
CMM: If the band could do a score for any film director who would it be and what would the film be about?
Nate: Straight up whatever okay-at-best Marvel movie is coming out next, we make a billion dollars and are set to record niche emo music for life. That or an Air Bud remake.
CMM: What do you all have coming up next? Any new recordings or shows?
Nate: We’ve got several shows in the wings that haven’t been announced yet, but we’ll be playing in GR near the end of April with a lineup we’re pretty geeked about. We just finished up recording a new single with Ryan Malicsi at Eureka Studios and we’ll be heading back in the spring to do a couple more. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for what will undoubtedly be a seminal EP in emo music history.
