Press Play: The Greeting Committee

The Greeting Committee is a quartet of close-knit high school friends who produce high-energy indie pop. The story behind these talented young folks begins in their hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. Their inaugural gig was at their high school’s talent show. The band members’ undeniable chemistry and synchrony quickly garnered plenty of well-deserved attention. The band draws inspiration from indie rock giants Bombay Bicycle Club, The Strokes, and Vampire Weekend to craft their brand of vivacious indie pop.

The Greeting Committee released their debut EP It’s Not All That Bad in 2015. The band got airplay from a local radio station which led to a deal with Harvest Records later that year. The EP captivated the hearts of listeners with its meaningful lyrics and dynamic instrumentation. Two years later, the group released their second EP Meeting People is Easy. Filled with new experimentation, the band was clearly evolving in their musicality. They also developed a reputation for their frenzied live performances while on tour with acts The Mowgli’s, Tennis and Saint Motel.

After two well-received EPs, there was a significant amount of hype surrounding The Greeting Committee’s debut album. The record This Is It finally dropped in October of 2018. The twelve-track effort engages intricate textures and melodic sophistication to weave a coming-of-age tale. This Is It explores the futility of adulthood. On the subject of the album’s themes, frontwoman Addie Sartino stated, “A lot of the album is about that point when you get to 19 or 20 and look around only to ask yourself, ‘Why did I want to grow up so badly? Is this all there is?'” The band fills out the album’s vast emotional scope with lavish sonics. They employed background vocalists, horn players, and a string section for a sound that is just as thrilling as it is melancholic.

Last month, The Greeting Committee released their third EP I’m Afraid I’m Not Angry. The band has never shied away from vulnerability, but this EP shows a certain depth and honesty. Opening track “Cry Baby” explores the brutality of opening up,  I want to be happy even if it kills me / It probably will Sartino sings, I’m so afraid of dying that I’ve stopped living. Underneath the spritely instrumentals lies intense introspection. The Greeting Committee has always shown maturity in their musings, and I’m Afraid I’m Not Angry highlights the clear growth of these four high school friends who were performing at a high school talent show just a few years ago.