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Meet Me @ The Altar is here to dismantle rock music’s stereotypes riff by riff. The band–comprised of guitarist-bassist Téa Campbell, drummer Ada Juarez and lead vocalist Edith Victoria–has reignited the genre with their refreshing mix of earworm pop melodies, blazing guitar riffs, and punk attitude. Now, the band is ready to stake their claim in rock history with their debut album, Past // Present // Future, arriving via Fueled By Ramen.
The record finds the bandmates experimenting more than ever as theysolidify a signature sound while also ripping apart the “nostalgia act” box they didn’t ask to be placed in. Each word in the album title holds a significant meaning: “Past” pays respect to the iconic bands who’ve influenced them (including Paramore, Twenty One Pilots, P!NK, DemiLovato,andAvrilLavigne). “Present” finds the band redefining what a modern-day rock band looks and sounds like, while “Future” looks ahead at how the band will impact the genre and where they might go from here.
Calling upon iconic producer John Fields (Jonas Brothers, P!NK, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato), Past // Present // Futuresheds any notion of sonic limitations. “We wanted this album to have a throwback sound but still feel like it was produced today,” Edith says. “John did all those early ‘00s Jonas Brothers records that we are obsessed with -he was the perfect person to work with.” This inspiration is best captured in lead single “Kool.” A perfect balance of pop and rock with whispers of a flirty R&B groove, “Kool” is a song for anyone with a crush, shaking up typical song structure to deliver an ultra-catchy, straightforward chorus: “You’re so kool.”
Other album highlights include: “Try” which embodies everything the band adores about pop punk’s electric energy, and the vulnerable “T.M.I.” which brings uncomfortable feelings of self-doubt to the surface (“I think I’m the worst/Criticize everything ‘til it hurts/If you knew me better you’d like me worse”). “It’s therapeutic because I’m finally saying all thesethings publicly,” Edith explains. “So maybe it’ll give someone else the energy and confidence to say it to other people too instead of keeping it inside all the time.”
There’s also “Rocket Science,” whose uplifting message on not giving up on oneself isanchored by free-spirited riffs and bright vocals, and the punchy “Say It (To My Face)” that gives a middle-finger to naysayers who put down confident women in the industry (“You say you’re not a fan but you got all my songs playing in your head”). “Any woman in a male-dominated field can relate where people think they could say things to you,” notes Edith. “We have two more levels on top of that, being women of color and some of us being gay. People just say the most ridiculous and unnecessary things.”Past // Present // Futuremay be the exciting kickoff to Meet Me @ The Altar’s new chapter, but the bandmates have already captured the hearts of rock diehards nationwide since getting public supportive tweets from Halsey, All-Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth and The Wonder Years’ Dan Campbell. Those viral moments led to the band’s major-label signing to Fueled By Ramen in 2020.That same year, their breakthrough hit “Garden” provided relief during the height of the pandemic with its uplifting message and reminder that it’s okay not to be okay. Following the release, Meet
Me @ The Altar shared 2021’s Model Citizen EP featuring singles like “Feel A Thing” and “Brighter Days (Are Before Us).” Their relatable appeal has scored praise from publications like Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The FADER, NPR Music, Stereogum, NYLON and more.
The band has also spent the last two years touring, sharing the stages with Green Day, Jxdn, KennyHoopla and most recently MUNA on the trio’s North American tour, which saw them perform to sold-out crowds at venues like New York City’s Irving Plaza and The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The band has also ruled the festival circuit, with unforgettable performances at Lollapalooza, Riot Fest and When We Were Young.
One thing Meet Me @ The Altar prides itself on is its strong sisterhood, which was initially formed in 2015. Téa Campbell and Ada Juarez met via YouTube in 2015 after Campbell stumbled upon Juarez’s drum cover of a Twenty One Pilots song. Despite living in different states (Floridaand New Jersey, respectively), the two became fast friends and decided to start a band. After persistent auditioning, Edith Victoria (a Georgia native) joined the band in 2017.
“It’s just so interesting how we met so young and we were all living completely different lives, but we have the same view and dedication on where this band can go,” Téa says. “We’re friends at the core (“We probably were sisters in a different life,” Ada interjects). It is really easy when everyone’s on the same page. We never saw this band as a hobby—we saw it as what we wanted to do in life.”
As Meet Me @ The Altar continues to ascend in 2023, they hope to sever previous ties to nostalgic yesteryear as they establish an unconventional, new-generation sound. At the end of it all, the bandmates are genuine music fans who are fulfilled when their songs’ messages help out those who really need it.
“What’s so cool about our dynamic is that we’re just friends making music and that will always be who we are,” Téa leaves off. “So everything that’s happening outside of us three is awesome of course, but it’s not going to change us.”
