“Is it just me or is it everybody sitting outside with their house on fire?” The Greeting Committee asks in their latest single “Cyclical,” released just days before their new album “Everyone’s Gone and I Know I’m The Cause”. The song doesn’t just dip its toes into difficult waters – it dives in headfirst, delivering a poignant and introspective look at the complexities of family dynamics and personal healing.
Frontwoman Addie Sartino’s ethereal vocals float over a deceptively gentle musical landscape, creating stark contrast with the song’s weighty themes and mirroring the often quiet, internal struggle of dealing with family issues, often kept hidden, simmering beneath a calm surface.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of helplessness in the face of familial destruction, capturing the universal feeling of watching a loved one spiral while feeling powerless to help. Sartino herself describes the song as being about “being stuck in a horrible cycle.” She adds: “It’s me seeing a pattern and doing the brave and hard thing by cutting certain habits or people out of my life. It might suck, but that’s what growing up and healing is.” This candid explanation offers a glimpse into the personal nature of “Cyclical,” but also highlights its universality. Who hasn’t faced the gut-wrenching decision to step back from a loved one for their own well-being?
“Cyclical” showcases The Greeting Committee’s evolution as artists. They continue to move beyond the realms of typical indie rock fare to tackle complex, emotional territories with grace and unflinching honesty.
For listeners who have walked similar paths, “Cyclical” may serve as a cathartic experience – a validation of difficult decisions and complex emotions. For others, it offers a window into the often-overlooked perspective of those who must prioritize their own healing, even at the cost of watching others struggle.
In the end, “Cyclical” is a testimony to the strength it takes to break harmful patterns and the bravery required to choose oneself first. The Greeting Committee has created not just a piece of music, but a companion for those on the difficult journey of healing from family trauma.
Tour Dates:
July 9 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade Hall
July 10 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
July 12 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
July 13 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
July 16 Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
July 17 Boston, MA @ Sinclair
July 19 Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground
July 20 Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s
July 21 Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
July 23 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
July 24 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
July 26 OKC, OK @ Resonant Head
July 27 Fort Worth, TX @ Tulips FTW
July 28 Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
July 30 Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent
July 31 San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room House of Blues
Aug 2 Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
Aug 3 Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
Aug 4 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
Aug 6 Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
Aug 7 Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore
Aug 8 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Aug 10 Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell
Aug 11 Denver, CO @ Bluebird
