Meet Me @ The Altar so lovingly summon the cues of ‘00s-era pop-punk and emo with an emotional intelligence and maturity that the genre’s most visible sad boys never really lived up to. Based in three different states after discovering each other on YouTube, singer Edith Johnson, guitarist and bassist Téa Campbell, and drummer Ada Juarez command their instruments with an attention to detail that belies the fact that they usually only get a day or two to practice in person before shows (and that was pre-pandemic). These three young women of colour create with a care befitting internet friends, paying homage to and carving out their own place in a genre notorious for gatekeeping its sound and sadness from anyone who isn’t a suburban white boy, and hold Paramore as a sacrosanct influence. The challenges of social distancing during the pandemic are real for any band, and must be especially for these three, but they’ve already overcome separation with ease.
Their strong online presence has been attracting fans to their comical personalities, but more importantly to their music. They released an EP titled “Bigger Than Me” in 2019 consisting of intricate guitar parts, fast paced drumming, and emotional lyrics.
The delicious, math-y first 20 seconds of their 2020 single “Garden” grow into one of 2020’s hardest, tenderest punk choruses.
Téa Campbell – Guitarist – FL
Ada Juarez – Drummer – NJ
Kaylie Sang – Touring Guitarist
El Xiques – Touring Bassist
