Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Grammy-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet announced yesterday their highly anticipated third studio album Starcatcher is set for release July 21 on Lava/Republic Records. The album’s first single “Meeting The Master” debuts today, giving fans an exciting glimpse into the ethereal world of their new era. Clocking in at 5 minutes and 12 seconds, the transcendent track immerses listeners in embellished folk rock with twinklings of divine instrumentation, before exploding into a celestial collide of electric guitar and spirited drums. In typical GVF fashion, there are countless layers to peel away.
The bands notes, “‘Meeting The Master’ peers into an esoteric world heeded by the word of a wise teacher. Sung in the voice of a devout believer, and eventual group exclamation, the song details the love these fervent followers have for their teacher and their firm belief in his vision. It’s an exotic spiritual journey. A dark comedy that inevitably ends in chaos.”
The album is written and recorded by the band—lead singer Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist/keyboardist Sam Kiszka and drummer Danny Wagner—alongside Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile). Recorded at the legendary RCA Studios in Nashville, the band utilized the large recording room to capture the pure energy of their world-renowned live performances.
Throughout the ten-song collection, the band explores the duality of fantasy versus reality and the contrast between light and darkness. “We had this idea that we wanted to tell these stories to build a universe,” says Wagner. “We wanted to introduce characters and motifs and these ideas that would come about here and there throughout our careers through this world.”
Taking multiple concepts from their critically acclaimed sophomore album The Battle at Garden’s Gate, the band brought them into universe of Starcatcher, although Sam’s take on the new record’s big ideas hint instead at new beginnings. “When I imagine the world of Starcatcher, I think of the cosmos,” he says. “It makes me ask a lot of questions, like ‘Where did we come from?’ or ‘What are we doing here?’ But it’s also questions like, ‘What is this consciousness that we have, and where did it come from?’”
Famously expressing their musings on life, love, and the meaning of it all, Starcatcher is sure to expand on such abstracts through a mystical lens. Whether or not it is identified as a concept album, the band expertly imbue their spiritualistic wonderings, creative direction and penchant for storytelling into a universe all of its own.
Renowned for their eccentric live performances, the band has sold over one million tickets worldwide. They sold out their entire 2022 arena tour, holding a special energy between them and their devoted fans. With Starcatcher, the band aims to capture that energy in the recording studio.
Most recently, the band performed at the inaugural Lollapalooza Mumbai and completed an extensive U.S. arena tour in March. Greta Van Fleet returns to the road next month for the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta and Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis. See below for a complete tour itinerary.
Starcatcher follows their acclaimed sophomore album The Battle at Garden’s Gate, released in 2021 to extensive chart and critical success. The album debuted at #1 Billboard Rock Album, #1 Billboard Hard Rock Album, #1 Billboard Vinyl Album, #2 Billboard Top Album Sales and in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. Their From The Fires EP, released in 2017, won Best Rock Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.
Pre-save/pre-order Starcatcher HERE.
GRETA VAN FLEET—STARCATCHER
1. Fate Of The Faithful
2. Waited All Your Life
3. The Falling Sky
4. Sacred The Thread
5. Runway Blues
6. The Indigo Streak
7. Frozen Light
8. The Archer
9. Meeting The Master
10. Farewell For Now
GRETA VAN FLEET TOUR DATES
May 5-7 /// Atlanta, GA /// Shaky Knees Festival
May 5-7 /// Memphis, TN /// Beale Street Music Festival
September 16-17 /// Asbury Park, NJ /// Sea Hear Now 2023
September 20, 2024 /// Mexico City, CDMX /// Foro Sol
September 27, 2024 /// Mexico City, CDMX /// Foro Sol
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