Walking into this interview, I had no idea what Addie Sartino was going to be like. The Greeting Committee’s lead singer has a confident stage presence and seems quite intimidating. Knowing this, I was absolutely shaking. Contrasting my build up of assumptions, the moment I saw Addie she came right over and gave me a big hug. She was remarkably friendly – I was, happily, in shock. When we spoke about what it is like being a female in the industry, she explained that she grew up in a household where her father emphasized independence and confidence in herself. Sartino added, “I think carrying yourself with confidence, leadership, and respect make it easier for other people to treat you with it; no matter if you are male, female, or non-binary, just walking into a room with confidence is important.” Rather than “intimidating” as I earlier thought, she simply knows her worth; it is highlighted in her powerful stage presence that leaves you wanting to know more about her.

The Greeting Committee recently released their third album titled “Everyone’s Gone and I Know I’m The Cause.” This is the first record Addie and Pierce, her bandmate, have written as a duo rather than all four original members of the band. As there were fewer people involved, there was more creative freedom: “It was only Pierce’s and my opinion at the end of the day.” This project is the most digital the band has created. It has pop and modern elements, allowing it to be fun and easy to listen to. When I asked Sartino what she wanted listeners to take away from this album, she answered that she wants the work to highlight the importance of boundaries, as well as breaking toxic cycles: how difficult it can be to do this but how necessary it is to do so. Addie advised, “Even if it involves grieving, you are going to come out a better person for it.”

If you look in Addie Sartino’s Notes app, you will find a stockpile of lyrics and story ideas that have come to her out of the blue. During the time that she is brainstorming, her bandmate Pierce can be found coming up with instrumentals and stacking up 30 to 60 second loops of music for their Google Drive folder. Addie will then look through Pierce’s foundation work and pick out pieces that she likes, and they combine them with her work. Addie metaphorically describes the process, “He gives me a bunch of Legos that are 50% to 80% built, and I will then come in and rearrange what he has done.” Not only does Addie find inspiration from day to day life and Pierce, who she later describes as a “well of ideas,” she is inspired by several other artists as well. Her favorite band is The 1975: she explains, “Their live shows are phenomenal and I love their lyrics. I am envious of the way they can write about what is happening in the modern world in a way that does not feel cheesy or cliché.” Samia is another artist The Greeting Commitee’s lead singer admires: “I think she is an incredible lyricist and musician.” One other artist Addie is inspired by is Hippo Campus’ Jake Luppen, who she describes as both a great musician and friend. She then adds, “It is fun to be friends with the people you are fans of. It is very full circle and really awesome!”

Wrapping up our interview, I asked Addie what some of her favorite tour memories are. She answered that she loves whenever she plays a hometown show in Kansas City. The Greeting Committee will wrap up their current tour by playing at the Midland Theater, which is Addie’s ultimate dream venue to play at. She is thinking that this upcoming show will be her new favorite tour memory. Sartino acknowledged how fortunate she feels to have the group of people she has with her on this tour. She smiled, “Everybody that is on this crew is a really good friend of mine and are all really hardworking and talented at what they do. It makes such a difference to be with the people that you love and that love you.” 

Walking out of this interview, I was in awe of how kind Addie Sartino is. She spoke highly of all of her friends and colleagues. She is friendly to everyone that she interacts with. When we stood outside for a small portion of the interview, an employee of the venue told us that we would have to walk around to the front of the building and wait in line with all of The Greeting Committee fans to get into the door, not realizing that Addie was in the show. She spoke kindly and humbly in response, enabling us to go back inside safely. I concluded that not only is Addie Sartino a talented artist in an exceptional band, but she is truly an amazing human being as well.