Pop-Punk has always been a vibrant genre throughout the years. With its relatable themes of young angst & frustration, to the upbeat themes of being carefree and alive. Some of the most notable bands in the genre have big names from Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Blink-182, & Avril Lavigne just to name a few. For those of us who lived our formative years during the early 00’s Pop Punk era, images come to mind like bright colorful hair, Black smudged eyeliner, striped arm warmers, and (now infamous) skinny jeans. Pop-punk wasn’t just about the love of the music–rather, the commentary of our unique social experiences. The artistry was reminiscent of an era that felt specifically catered to our generation.
But like a lot of alternative genres, listening to Pop-punk made many of us feel even more like an outlier. Since its inception, the era has mostly favored straight Cis white male groups much like its main genre counterpart. And while Black, Brown, & Queer artists have always existed, they have not had the level of success and mainstream notoriety like the other household name artists in this category. It’s the same frustration that marginalized people witness in most alternative spaces.
Hailing from multiple states until meeting through the Internet – Meet Me @ the Altar formed in 2015 with Téa Campbell, Ada Juarez, & Edith Victoria. The Black and Latine women trio have erupted the genre, giving a new generation of fans the talent and representation we’ve been excited for.
The group has cultivated their own unique sound that feels fresh, with fiery anthems like “Hit Like a Girl,” “Kool,” and “Say It.” Their albums are packed full of songs that give us the intensity we need in this chaotic world. Along with their own music, they’ve done multiple covers to fuel some of our own nostalgia–like “Take Me Away” from the iconic movie, Freaky Friday, to “Caught in the Middle” from Paramore. After becoming a viral sensation in 2020 with endorsements from Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low) and Dan Cambell (The Wonder Years), they signed a record deal with Fueled by Ramen, who has signed other notable artists like Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, & Yellowcard. They’ve performed at music festivals, conventions, opened for the legendary Green Day, and 5 Seconds of Summer. They were even invited to perform in 2023 for the Dr. Martens FOR PRIDE event in New York City.
In January of 2024, I had the opportunity to see Meet Me @ the Altar perform live at Irving Plaza. From the moment the trio took the stage, there was an intense level of spirit and excitement. People were jumping and cheering each of their powerful lyrics. It was fun to watch the band deliver their girl star power- along with some sentimental sounds from artists like Kelly Clarkson & the Jonas Brothers.
Meet Me @ The Altar has successfully established a notable career through their talents and ingenuity. But what distinguishes the band from other Pop-Punk artists, is that they have empowered their own community of marginalized listeners who have been yearning for artists that look like them. Black, Brown, & Queer fans are showing up and supporting this trio, who have proved that we are in this corner of the music community. It’s a remarkable moment in time to witness, especially as a millennial. For many individuals, this may feel like new territory- seeing a growing amount of BIPOC and Queer representation in our favorite genres is a stark contrast to our young adulthood lineup. But for this new generation, this is exactly what it is – under-recognized artists simply thriving in these spaces, without question. And although artists like MM@A still receive the usual haters and killjoys- they are still doing what they do best – which is create valuable content that is both original and engaging for all listeners. It’s without a doubt an exciting time to witness all the new talent that has taken our headphones by storm.
Meet Me @ the Altar’s fan base grows every year with each new release, exceeding expectations every time. Their music can be streamed on multiple platforms, and will be touring across the US in the fall. Give them a listen and a follow, and be sure to show them some love in the comments!
