Artist Spotlight #8: Greta Van Fleet

Quick Details

Band: Greta Van Fleet
Formed: 2012
Hometown: Frankenmuth, Michigan
Members: Josh Kiszka (vocals), Jake Kiszka (guitar), Sam Kiszka (bass/keys), Danny Wagner (drums)
Style: Classic rock–inspired hard rock
Known For: Soaring vocals, vintage guitar tones, high-energy live performances

Modern Rock Revival Done Right

Few modern rock bands have sparked as much conversation as Greta Van Fleet—and that conversation says more about the state of rock music than it does about the band itself. In an era where people often claim rock is fading, Greta Van Fleet showed up loud, unapologetic, and rooted in the very traditions that made rock music timeless in the first place. Love them or critique them, they’ve helped bring guitar-driven rock back into the conversation for a new generation.

When Greta Van Fleet first broke through, it felt like a jolt of electricity for rock fans who grew up on big riffs, big vocals, and songs that weren’t afraid to stretch out. Hearing that kind of sound coming from a group of kids out of Michigan didn’t feel calculated—it felt exciting, almost rebellious in a time when rock often felt pushed to the background.

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Good Music is Good Music

Let’s be honest: Greta Van Fleet has drawn countless comparisons to Led Zeppelin, and rightfully so. Their sound resembles something very close to that era of rock—big riffs, blues-based structures, soaring vocals, and an unmistakable classic rock spirit. But when did sounding like Led Zeppelin ever become a bad thing?

And as far as accusations of “ripping them off,” rock music has always worked this way. Bands have been borrowing from, building on, and reshaping their influences since the very beginning, whether intentional or not. The music you grow up loving inevitably finds its way into your songwriting, your playing, and your overall sound.

At the end of the day, good music is good music—and Greta Van Fleet undeniably makes great-sounding rock & roll.

Growth Beyond the First Impression

As their catalog grows, so has their ambition. The songwriting opened up. Songs became longer, more dynamic, and more atmospheric. They started exploring space, silence, and drama just as much as volume and power. You could hear a band actively figuring out who they wanted to be rather than trying to repeat what worked the first time.

That growth is important, because it shifted the conversation. Greta Van Fleet stopped being just “that band that sounds like…” and started becoming a band defined by scope and confidence. They began to feel less like a throwback and more like a bridge—connecting classic rock traditions to a modern audience that might not otherwise seek them out.

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A Band Meant to Be Seen Live

If there’s one place Greta Van Fleet truly shines, it’s on stage. Their live performances feel big, loose, and immersive. Extended jams, dramatic pacing, and a real sense of performance over perfection define their shows.

Greta Van Fleet feels like a band that understands rock music isn’t just something you listen to—it’s something you experience.

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All of that ambition and growth ultimately comes back to the musicianship at the core of the band.

Jake Kiszka: The Guitar Work That Drives It All

A lot of the attention around Greta Van Fleet has always centered on vocals, but the more you sit with their catalog, the more obvious it becomes just how important Jake Kiszka is to the band’s identity. His guitar work is the backbone of their sound—dynamic, expressive, and confident without ever feeling cluttered.

What stands out most about Jake’s playing is his sense of restraint. He understands when a riff needs to hit hard and when it needs to breathe. His tone is thick and organic, rooted in classic blues-rock phrasing, but he’s never just showing off for the sake of it. Every riff feels purposeful, and every solo feels like it’s serving the song rather than competing with it.

There’s also a maturity to his playing that goes beyond his age. He leans into feel, bends, vibrato, and space in a way that recalls classic players. Over time, his style has become more nuanced—less about raw attack and more about texture, melody, and atmosphere.

Simply put, Greta Van Fleet doesn’t work without Jake Kiszka. His guitar playing isn’t just impressive—it’s essential.

Key Songs That Define Greta Van Fleet

Highway Tune

This is the song that introduced most people to Greta Van Fleet, and it still hits just as hard. The riff is massive, the groove is undeniable, and it immediately announced that this was a band unafraid of sounding loud, confident, and unapologetically rock & roll.

Safari Song

“Safari Song” leans even deeper into classic rock swagger. The stop-start dynamics, explosive chorus, and muscular riffing make it one of their most recognizable tracks. It’s bold, theatrical, and designed to be played at high volume.

You’re the One

This song proves that Greta Van Fleet is just as effective when they strip things all the way back. “You’re the One” highlights their strength with acoustic rock songs—something many of the great bands before them have demonstrated time and time again. It adds an entirely different dynamic to their catalog, showing that they don’t need volume or bombast to make an impact. Instead of always sounding the same, this track reveals a band comfortable with space, melody, and restraint.

When the Curtain Falls

Driven by one of Jake Kiszka’s most memorable riffs, this song feels like pure momentum. It’s punchy, direct, and built for the stage. The groove never lets up, making it one of their most infectious rock tracks.

Heat Above

“Heat Above” represents the band’s evolution more than almost any other song. It’s expansive, spiritual, and atmospheric, showing how far they’ve grown from straight-ahead rock into something more cinematic and ambitious.

Meet the Master

This track leans into mysticism and mood, combining layered instrumentation with a sense of drama and purpose. It reflects a band fully comfortable exploring deeper themes while still grounding everything in strong musicianship.

Why Greta Van Fleet Belongs Here

Greta Van Fleet matters because they helped remind people that rock music can still feel bold and unapologetic. They brought guitars back into the conversation for younger listeners and reignited something familiar for longtime fans. Even if you don’t love every song, it’s hard to deny the role they’ve played in keeping classic-inspired rock alive in the modern era.

Final Thoughts

On one hand, people complain that there aren’t enough good rock bands anymore. On the other, they’re quick to put down the ones we do have. Instead of being negative, judging, and criticizing every new band that comes along, maybe it’s time we simply accept them for what they are—and what they’re doing.

And what Greta Van Fleet is doing is pretty simple: they’re a great rock band making great rock music for a new generation.

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