The Peaceful Army and Its Soldiers
Fan Interview ★ C.L. Wages ★ @see_doubleuu
My name is C.L. and I have been on a curiosity voyage. I want to know why people’s favorite band is their favorite band, so I decided to do something about it. Through these interviews, I got a glimpse into some Greta Van Fleet fans’ heads and figured out just what they’re thinking when they’re thinking about GVF.
Respondent #1 ★ Bernadette
What makes you gravitate towards Greta Van Fleet?
Just connecting with their music, the community surrounding the band and the relationship and pure love/adoration they have for their fans. When I first found Greta Van Fleet, I loved the music instantly, and felt an immediate connection. I wanted to watch all of their videos/interviews on YouTube, and that made me fall even more in love with them. I was drawn to their personalities, interests, and the things they’re passionate about.
When listening to your favorite band, does the music hold more weight for you, or the lyrics? What changes how you resonate with the band?
The way I interpret music depends on if there’s a story behind the lyrics or not! I love all kinds of music and I love all aspects of it. The lyrics and storytelling Greta Van Fleet is able to do through their lyrics is what really drew me in and stuck out to me. I love the instrumentals and the physical sounds of their music, but the stories they’re able to share is what really hooked me.
What is your favorite song and why? Do you gravitate to the song more sonically or emotionally?
It’s genuinely very hard for me to pick a favorite song from Greta Van Fleet because I love all of them so much and have emotional connections with all of them. If I absolutely had to choose it would be between Age of Man and/or Heat Above. Those two songs are so important to me and will always have such a big place in my heart. They’ve both gotten me through some really difficult times in my life. They lift me up and let me know that everything is going to be okay. On the other side of that, these songs have also been by my side through some of the best times/experiences of my life. They’re like the beautiful beams of sunlight that break through the dark angry clouds of life, ones that give you hope that the storm will be over soon. I would definitely say that it’s a pretty even balance of being emotionally and sonically attached to them.
What is your favorite memory that connects you with the band?
It’s hard for me to pick just one memory that connects to Greta Van Fleet, simply because there’s just too many. Over the past 3 years and 2 tours, I have been to 19 shows! They’ve all been so incredible in their own specific ways, but the first that comes to mind would have to be the 2023 Tampa, Florida, Dreams In Gold Tour show. I’m used to going to shows with the friends I’ve met through the band but being in my home town I was able to go with some of my childhood friends and get to show them why I love GVF so much. During this show we somehow managed to get to the 2nd row barricade, I held hands with and was given a rose by Josh Kiszka, not to mention the surprise song they hadn’t performed in years and haven’t performed since then. It was such an emotional and special thing for me and I’m sure it was for many others that were there too. That show will forever be a core memory for me.
Frontman Josh Kiszka
How has finding Greta Van Fleet changed your life or your outlook on life?
Honestly, I was in a very dark place before I discovered Greta Van Fleet, but the music, the lyrics, the community and everything else that comes along with the journey of being a fan of them kind of brought a little bit of the light back to my life. I know it’s a pretty big claim to say they changed my life but I truly believe they did. It was like my life made sense again, I had something to hyper-focus on, I had something to look forward to. It was an immediate connection, and one that helped the darkness fade, and I started to start to see the beauty in things again, which is something I will forever be grateful for. Greta Van Fleet and their music brought me so many incredible people/new friends, so many new experiences and memories I will hold forever. I’ve traveled so much more because of them and they brought something out in me that I didn’t know I had. My confidence grew in so many different aspects, and I feel so much more myself than I ever have before and I give them quite a bit of credit for that.
Respondent #2 ★ Randi
What Makes you gravitate towards Greta Van Fleet?
I gravitate towards GVF because their early work was reminiscent of the classic rock I grew up listening to, so I was immediately interested in their work the first time I heard them. Learning more about them as artists has given me a renewed appreciation for music of all genres and the many artists that shaped the way they write and produce music.
When listening to your favorite band, does the music hold more weight for you, or the lyrics? What changes how you resonate with a band?
The lyrics absolutely hold the most weight for me, and the music is always perfectly matched to the lyrics in my opinion. The first song I heard was “You’re The One,” and the line that struck me most was the simplest: “Won’t you hold my hand and stay a while?” I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever heard in music. I never knew such a simple line could make my heart swell like this one did. I now have that lyric tattooed on my arm.
What is your favorite song and why? Do you gravitate to the song more sonically or emotionally?
My favorite song by GVF is “Light My Love” because for me, it felt like falling in love and finally getting it right this time. It’s more of an emotional experience for sure. It feels very hopeful, and the strings in the instrumentals were a beautiful and romantic touch.
What is your favorite memory that connects you with the band?
Seeing the clip from their performance on SNL going around on tiktok not long after their album “The Battle At Gardens Gate,” felt like a profound discovery. Hearing “You’re The One,” then immediately diving into their discography up to that point felt like I discovered something extremely special. I’ve always believed this band finds you when you especially need it, and 2021 was the right time for me.
Greta Van Fleet on SNL via January 2019
How has finding Greta Van Fleet changed your life, or your outlook on life?
Finding the band has brought me some of my best friends that I would have never met without them, and for that, I am forever grateful. Greta Van Fleet feels like home to me and has helped me to realize that I have a lot of love to give, but also a lot of love to accept. After all, where there is love we must live on, and where there is not love, we must provide it.
Respondent #3 ★ Tully
What Makes you gravitate towards Greta Van Fleet?
I really appreciate who they are as people, and their personalities. The more I see their true personalities shine, the more I tend to gravitate towards them. The more relatable, the better.
When listening to your favorite band, does the music hold more weight for you, or the lyrics? What changes how you resonate with a band?
The lyrics are what carries the music. Everyone can appreciate a funky beat or a psychedelic guitar solo, but the lyrics hold all of the weight. For example: The Barbarians by Greta Van Fleet, sonically, it is dark and sensual, but the story that is being told is rather brutal and heartbreaking. What makes a difference for me is how accessible and relatable their music becomes. I can’t relate to songs about being rich and living in mansions and driving expensive cars, but I can relate to songs about struggles with identity and self-acceptance, and watching the world burn around you.
What is your favorite song and why? Do you gravitate to the song more sonically or emotionally?
My favorite Greta Van Fleet song is Light my Love. It’s about falling for someone for who they are on the inside. Light My Love is an emotionally driven song and I cry everytime I listen to it because to me, at least, it’s what true love is really about.
Light My Love performed onstage
What is your favorite memory that connects you with the band?
My favorite memory is from the Starcatcher World Tour show in Indianapolis, Indiana. I was on Sam’s side on barricade, right in front of his setup. They were playing Farewell For Now and I was singing my heart out. I look over to Sam, and he’s looking at me with a huge smile on his face, we exchange a nod and a wink. Sharing that small moment made me realize just how much this band appreciates their fans.
Bassist Sam Kiszka
How has finding Greta Van Fleet changed your life, or your outlook on life?
I was in a very dark place when I found Greta Van Fleet; I was ready to give up, but their music helped me realize that I have so much to live for. Even though I was living in a teeny tiny town, they connected me to friends from all over the world. I have met some of the most amazing people because of this band, and those connections will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Respondent #4 ★ Lexi
What makes you gravitate towards your favorite band?
The loving and cherishing moments that the fandom shares is such a gift and is profound for so many people! Just being around the positivity makes it worth the wait for shows when they’re not touring. Interacting with each other (other fans) outside of tour regardless of cancellations, rescheduling or anything of the sort always feels so special. Being around the people I love dearly is something I will always gravitate towards.
When listening to your favorite band, does the music hold more weight for you, or the lyrics? What changes how you resonate with a band?
The dynamics of the music itself paired with the lyrics has always told such a beautiful story, but the lyrics always held the most weight. I love hearing the stories that they share with us through their songs. When listening, it’s the storytelling aspect that has become so endearing to me. It brings such a love-forward and thoughtful movement that I haven’t heard through music before. It really speaks to their priorities as a band and that has always inspired me. They have resonated with me in ways that I couldn’t believe. Every song has such a strong approach on peace, love, and unity, which all have had a great impact on my self confidence and acceptance.
What is your favorite song by the band, and why? Do you gravitate more towards the song sonically or emotionally?
I tend to gravitate towards Tears of Rain by Greta Van Fleet both sonically and emotionally. When listening to the song it always takes me back to when I heard the band for the first time. This song has helped me cope with my mental and physical health, and when I was going through era’s of life that I never thought I’d make it out of. It has reminded me of what I am capable of, how I’m able to leave my comfort zone and be my true self. This song has a special place in my heart and I will forever cherish this song!
What is your favorite memory that connects with your favorite band?
The first time I saw them live was at the Dow Center in Saginaw, and it gave me a whole new perspective on what it meant to be a fan. Watching the curtain fall and hearing their song “Heat Above” as the opening number felt like a miracle in itself. I remember asking myself, “Is this real? Are they real?” I felt a lot of emotions during that show and left feeling lighter and more inspired than I had in years. I couldn’t have asked for a better moment to be spent.
How has finding Greta Van Fleet changed your life, or your outlook on life?
Greta Van Fleet has brought me happiness in so many ways! I feel as though they have made me a better person inside and out, and I really don’t think I would be where I am today without them. I’ve made so many memories and friends that I wouldn’t trade for the world. They have brought me motivation, hope, love, inspiration, and confidence that I never thought I could have or come back to. Sometimes I don’t realize how much music can change a person until I look back on the person I was before I discovered Greta Van Fleet. They have helped me grow as a person, and I would do anything for them to do it for me again.
Greta Van Fleet circa 2024
Having the opportunity to discuss these things is so special to me. I consider myself lucky to be able to draw these answers from people and as you can see, no answer was the same. The different reasons these fans love Greta Van Fleet are so beautiful, and I really enjoy that a common undercurrent in these answers is the love that Greta Van Fleet seems to radiate. I want to give a special thanks to the lovely folks that took the time to open up and discuss their favorite band with me, and an additional thanks to Greta Van Fleet for giving these people a reason to find the joy in their lives.
