Weekly Women Wednesday Vol. XXXIV - Addie Sartino

Frontwoman of The Greeting Committee and Kansas City native Addie Sartino is the first person that comes to mind when I think of the word 'kickass'. Her energy and presence on stage transcends the title of lead singer, she is a fellow member of the audience, enouraging and interacting with you to have the best time of your life. I've looked up to Addie for a while now, as she is prime example of the type of artist I not only want to be, but want to be surrounded by in the world; someone that radiates passion, love, and effervescence. I was lucky enough to chat with Addie this past month, fresh off The Greeting Committee's first US headline tour. Read below as we discuss inspirations, advice, and post tour feels.

Tuesday: Addie, thank you so much for taking some time out of your day to chat! Hope you’re doing well. 

Addie: Thank you so much for being interested in chatting with me! 

You just came off of an insane headline tour across the country, and some incredible supporting shows with Rainbow Kitten Surprise. How do you feel?

I feel… A lot. Rainbow Kitten Surprise has been one of my favorites for a while now and they excelled every expectation I had. They were unbelievably kind and gracious. The headline tour was a dream come true. I think it truly shocked the four of us how many people cared enough to take time out of their day to spend it with us. I also think we needed the confidence this tour gave us to move forward as we head to the studio. 

I was lucky enough to see The Greeting Committee in DC this past spring, and it easily was one of my favorite shows I’ve ever been to. The whole band is clearly so passionate at these shows, so invested in what they’re doing, that the room is filled with so much energy and emotion. Were there any shows you went to/artists you saw live growing up that inspired you to become the type of performer you are today? 

Firstly, thank you! I’m so glad you had a good time. Our goal in the live setting is to make sure our audience feels safe and has FUN. I remember the first “real” show we ever played was opening for Misterwives. My dad was sidestage with me watching. He turned to me and said, “Now THAT is what you should strive for.” The “that” he was referring to was Mandy Lee’s endless energy. I knew from then I wanted to be limitless the way she is. My favorite live shows growing up were from acts like The Killers and Twenty One Pilots. 

What’s a dream goal you have—big or small—for either you personally, or for The Greeting Committee?

Personally, I want to work on being a great leader and a great example for others. Someone who truly inspires. As a band, I want to make music that my bandmates and I love to play for an audience who loves to be there. Of course some of my goals include numbers and large venues and all of that what not - but that won’t mean much if we don’t have an audience we connect with. Luckily for us, we do now. 

The Greeting Committee’s latest record, This Is It, embraces a recurring theme of growing older and learning to navigate the world around you as you age. Were these songs mainly written/conceptualized throughout your teen years as these experiences happened, or are they more of a recollection and reminiscing?

I would say the record is mostly reminiscing, but it’s reminiscing on feelings that still hold weight. 

This subject of coming of age is a huge reason why I connect so heavily with The Greeting Committee and this album specifically, especially as a teenager myself. Who were the artists and figures that you connected with in your teens?  

I really loved acts like Daughter, The Killers, Death Cab For Cutie, Twenty One Pilots, and Ingrid Michaelson. I can’t exactly pinpoint why, but I had a large connection with their lyrics and the instrumentation always filled me. I would say The 1975 is a newer inspiration as well. 

I remember reading your essay ‘The Ways I Wear My Pride’ with Rookie Mag a few months back, and it brought me to tears. LGBT+ folk are some of the most overshadowed & marginalized in the music community. They are either not taken seriously enough, or taken too seriously & expected to hold the immense weight of being the perfect role model to represent the entire queer community. It’s rare that someone’s sexuality is treated in a truthful way- as a facet of their being, rather than their whole identity. You said it best, “My sexuality is not who I am. I have so much more to offer than who I choose to kiss.” Can you talk a little about how you came to this mentality? Whether it was after your experience as a queer frontwoman in a band, or something you had before going into The Greeting Committee.

Even before I came out my dad taught me that the only way people can put me in a box is if I let them. I have never wanted to be just one thing because that’s so untrue and impossible. For some people, they love having their sexuality be their identifier, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Personally, that’s just not what I wanted. I think part of that may have been from the fear of being mistreated growing up - after watching the way my LGBTQ+ brothers, sisters, and non-binary peers have been treated. Now, as I grow older, I think it’s less from fear and more from a simple choice. 

Do you have any advice to fellow creators, both in and out of the music community?

Your art is important. Your mental health is more important. 

What’s next for you?

The Greeting Committee will be heading into the studio to record an EP in August. I’m extremely excited as my good friend Jake Luppen and his partner Caleb Hinz will be producing this record. 

Thank you again so much Addie. You and the guys from the Greeting Committee bring so much light to those that need it most, myself included. Feeling honored to be a fan, and can not wait to see what’s to come from you guys. 

Thank you for your time and your support. It means a lot to me. :’) 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Make sure to keep up with Addie and The Greeting Committee on Instagram (Addie / TGC) and Twitter (Addie / TGC), and check out The Greeting Committee's upcoming fall tour dates with Bombay Bicycle Club and Hippo Campus! Stream The Greeting Committee's latest record, 'This Is It', on Spotifyand Apple Music. Be sure to check out our photo gallery & review of The Greeting Committee live in DC from this past May.