Living the Dream

The Greeting Committee releases EP, gains attention from local radio host

Every little kid dreams of becoming a rockstar at some point in their childhood.

For The Greeting Committee — senior Pierce Turcotte, junior Addie Sartino and sophomores Austin Fraser and Brandon Yangmi — this idea is becoming a reality.

“I can’t stop thinking, ‘I am living in a dream,’” Sartino said. “This is my dream. This is all I’ve ever wanted.”

The band released their debut EP titled “It’s Not All That Bad” on March 27.

Gaining popularity throughout the student body, the EP caught the attention of local radio DJ Lazlo from 96.5 the Buzz.

“I’m super happy about the success of the EP,” Turcotte said. “Its popularity has spread like wildfire. It’s been great to release something that I’ve helped create and got such a positive reaction.”

The Greeting Committee’s debut single off the album, “Hands Down,” was played along with another song, “Make It Right,” on 96.5 the Buzz the day of the EP’s release.

“It was an amazing moment and a moment I will never forget,” Yangmi said. “My girlfriend started crying because she was so happy — I still can’t believe it happened.”

After the songs aired, Lazlo commented on the album’s artwork and production quality.

“It was amazing,” Fraser said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime feeling that’s very unique and special.”

The Greeting Committee hosted an EP release party at Llywelyn’s Pub on March 28.

“My favorite part was seeing people in the crowd sing along to our original songs,” Sartino said. “It’s just unreal to watch that. Pierce crowd surfing was pretty cool, too.”

The four got started after Sartino released her own EP and wanted to make music with others rather than by herself.

“I decided being alone onstage was uncomfortable and lonely,” Sartino said. “Brandon and I had already been friends for about a year, and we had written music together before. So, I texted him and said something along the lines of, ‘I have a favor I need you to do for me. I need you to help me make a band.’ Fortunately, he agreed, and he recruited Austin and Pierce.”

The Greeting Committee will play at The Granada in Lawrence on May 24. For band updates and information on how to purchase tickets, you can follow them on Twitter at
@thegcband.

“I [want] to say thank you to everyone supporting the band in any way,” Yangmi said. “You are slowly helping four high school kids get closer to their dreams.”