The Rocket Summer

For the Ray Bradbury short story, see The Martian Chronicles.
The Rocket Summer

Live AP Tour 2008
Background information
Birth name Bryce Avary
Born (1982-12-31) December 31, 1982
Origin Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Genres Alternative rock, indie rock, pop rock, power pop
Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano, bass guitar, drums, percussion
Years active 1999 –present
Labels The Militia Group, Island Records, Aviate Records
Website www.therocketsummer.com
Members Bryce Avary

The Rocket Summer is the solo-project of Bryce Avary who is based in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas. Avary is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer. He writes and produces every song on his records, and plays every instrument on them.

He has released five studio albums and several EPs. His fifth release in 2012, Life Will Write the Words, was 58 on The Billboard 200 and 12 on Billboard Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums as well as 12 on Top Independent Albums.[1] His fourth release, Of Men and Angels, held the No. 1 Top Album spot on iTunes upon its release in 2010.[2] AP Magazine called him one of "100 bands you need to know."[3]

Early life & musical interest

Avary was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He first became interested in music around the age of 12 when his father bought him his first guitar which was an imitation brand from a pawn shop for 50 dollars.[4][5] Avary subsequently began teaching himself other instruments including the drums and piano.[4]

Avary joined his first band at the age of 14.[6] He later joined a high school "indie rock punk" band at Grapevine High School,[6] inspired by Pavement, Archers of Loaf and Weezer, called Charlie 27.[6] After the band broke up, Avary began performing local acoustic shows as a teenager in Dallas, Fort Worth and Denton.[6]

Music career

1999–2003: Self-titled EP

In 1999, Avary self-released his first EP at the age of 16.[7] The EP included songs he had written between the ages 14 to 16.[7] He distributed the EP under the name The Rocket Summer, at the suggestion of a friend, to local stores to be sold on consignment; the name was inspired by Ray Bradbury's short story collection The Martian Chronicles, which his friend was reading at the time.[4] Avary described the project as initially "just a really fun experiment."[4] After the EP's original 1000 copies sold out, it went out of print until it was later re-released as The Early Years EP under The Militia Group in November 2006.[7][8]

His music appeared on The Adventure Club segment of the KDGE radio station, and quickly became the most requested local band on the program that year.[6]

2003–2005: Calendar Days and Hello, Good Friend

Avary recorded, produced, and released his debut album, Calendar Days, in 2003.[9] The album was recorded in Eudora, Kansas.[10]

In November 2004, Avary began working on his second album, Hello, Good Friend.[11] The album peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[12] To promote the album, The Rocket Summer toured the US and Japan.

2005–2008: The Early Years EP and Do You Feel

In November 2006, The Militia Group re-released The Rocket Summer's self-released 1999 EP as The Early Years EP,[7] and Avary signed with major record label Island Def Jam Records. Do You Feel was released in July 2007;[13] the album reached No. 44 on the Billboard 200 and No. 16 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums charts.[14]

The album's lead single "So Much Love", was warmly received by critics for its uniqueness and use of horn section.[15] The "So Much Love" music video was directed by MTV Music Video Award winning director Shane Drake. The Rocket Summer released the second single "Do You Feel" and its music video on September 5, 2008. The video was co-directed and funded by Bryce Avary with director Nate Weaver.[16] The video featured stories of people with issues such as homelessness, addiction, disease and abuse. The video also featured cameos from artists Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin, Matt Thiessen of Relient K, Josh Farro and Jeremy Davis of Paramore, Mike Herrera of MxPx, and Forrest Kline of Hellogoodbye and Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low.[16]

Avary was featured on the cover of Alternative Press Magazine while co-headlining the AP Tour.

2008–2011: You Gotta Believe EP, Of Men and Angels and Bryce Avary, His Instruments and Your Voices

Avary recorded his fourth studio album, Of Men and Angels at Ocean Studios in Burbank, CA, from February to April 2009.[17][18] Mixed with Neal Avron and engineered / co-produced with CJ Eiriksson,[18][19] Avary described the album as "the most substance-filled Rocket Summer album to date."[18][20] To hold fans over, The Rocket Summer released a digital 4-track EP entitled You Gotta Believe in October 2009.[21] The EP featured three tracks off the LP Of Men and Angels and one bonus track. The EP debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard charts for Digital Albums.[22] The Rocket Summer's "You Gotta Believe" music video premiered on AOL in December 2009, and featured clips of fans singing and playing along to the track.[23] The video was directed by award-winning director Randy Scott Slavin.[19]

On February 23, 2010, The Rocket Summer released his fourth studio album, 'Of Men and Angels on Island Def Jam.[17] The album debuted at No. 1 on iTunes, surpassing The Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D. which had previously held the No. 1 spot for Top Album.[2][24] To promote the new album, Avary performed the album's lead single "Walls" on KDFW's Good Day Dallas and KTBC's Good Day Austin,[25] and held a sold out hometown album release party at the Granada Theatre in Dallas, TX.[26] The Rocket Summer toured with OneRepublic, Goo Goo Dolls and the 16th annual Vans Warped Tour in promotion of the record.[26] In March 2010, TRS was named one of Shred News's "10 Artists to Watch in 2010."[27] On Oct. 19, 2010, The Rocket Summer released a five-song digital-only EP, entitled Of Men and Angels: B-Sides.[28] Avary co-wrote the song "Stomping The Roses" for American Idol alum, David Archuleta which appeared on his second full-length album, The Other Side Of Down debuted in October 2010. .[29] On May 24, 2011, Avary released an acoustic live album entitled Bryce Avary, His Instruments and Your Voices for free via The Rocket Summer's website.

2011–2014: Life Will Write the Words and Christmas Madness EP

On June 5, 2012, The Rocket Summer released their fifth full-length studio album, Life Will Write the Words on their own record label Aviate Records. It debuted 58 on The Billboard 200 and 12 on The Billboard Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums and 12 on the Top Independent Albums charts. This record was well received by fans who enjoyed a full Rocket Summer US Tour.[1] Soon after releasing the album, the music video "200,000" debuted on Alternative Press.[30]

The Rocket Summer digitally released 'Christmas Madness EP' on Aviate Records December 3, 2013 debuting 45 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums and performed two sold out shows in Anaheim and Dallas to support this digital release. Avary is currently in the writing and recording process in 2014.

2014–Present: Zoetic

Avary's sixth full-length album Zoetic released on February 26, 2016.

Musical style and influence

Often labeled as indie rock power pop,[9][31] The Rocket Summer's music has developed a reputation for its positively infused sentiments, optimistic lyrics, and upbeat rhythms,[17][20] with emphasis on Avary's distinctive vocals and instrumental diversity that has drawn comparisons to Ben Folds, Justin Timberlake, and Michael Jackson.[17]

Rick Anderson of Allmusic described his music as a range of "headlong blasts of pure power pop cheer" to "sonata form" and ballads—all of which Anderson categorized as "infectiously joyful."[9] The Rocket Summer's music is marked by his use of guitar, piano, bass, percussion, and melodic hooks.[5] A few of Avary's largest musical influences growing up were Nirvana, The Beatles and Michael Jackson.[4]

The Rocket Summer's more recent albums, Life Will Write the Words and Of Men and Angels, have shown a shift in style and content from his earlier releases,[17][20] with more focus on an indie rock and alternative sound,[32] as well as on more mature subject material.[13][17] Avary has cited these changes as "natural" products of "growth and ... spiritual growth."[20]

Touring

The Rocket Summer has toured the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France and Japan, and has played at festivals such as Glastonbury Festival, Soundwave Festival, T in the Park, Summer Sonic Festival, Oxegen Festival, Austin City Limits, SXSW, The Bamboozle, Slam Dunk Festival and Vans Warped Tour.

Over the years, The Rocket Summer has toured with many bands, among them OneRepublic, Paramore, The Format, Third Eye Blind, Switchfoot, The Goo Goo Dolls.

Philanthropy

Avary attended and performed at the Dallas Rescue for the Invisible Children campaign in Dallas, TX, on April 25, 2009.[33][34] On June 23, 2009, Avary played at the closing ceremony for the Invisible Children rally, "How It Ends," [35] which took place on the White House Ellipse Lawn in Washington D.C.[36] He also played the Heavy and Light Tour 2010, an annual acoustic tour supporting To Write Love on Her Arms.

Avary created a clothing company by the name of Call It Captivate (CIC). Their aim is to "express relevant art through fashion, to inspire, to educate, and most importantly, be used as an outlet to encourage people to give to those in need."[37] Call It Captivate partnered with several credible charities, where 25% or more of each item purchased goes to a charity selected by the buyer. These charities included Blood: Water Mission, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Holt International Adoption, These Numbers Have Faces, The LA Dream Center and Doctors Without Borders. The company's website also promotes each of these charities by providing their mission statements in an attempt to spotlight their causes.[37] CIC was featured in Alternative Press magazine Issue No. 247 and in November 2009 in AMP Magazine.

Bryce recorded a cover of "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs for the charity organization Hello Somebody's first album Hello Somebody, Vol. 1. Their mission is to provide sustainable projects and restorative care to improve the lives of children in need.[38]

Personal life

As a child, Avary appeared as a contestant on Nickelodeon's Double Dare after he and his family successfully auditioned for the TV show while on a family vacation at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL.[39]

Avary attended Grapevine High School where he helped form a dodgeball team named The Bombardment Society, inspired by Wes Anderson's film Rushmore.[6][40] The team became the high school's largest organization at the time of his attendance.[39] Prior to launching his music career as The Rocket Summer, Avary worked as a Starbucks barista — an experience that inspired him to write the song "This is Me" off of his album Calendar Days.[39] In January 2005, Avary married his long-time girlfriend, Tara.

Discography

Studio albums


EPs

References

  1. 1 2 "The Rocket Summer Awards AllMusic".
  2. 1 2 Iasimone, Ashley. "Exclusive JSYK Interview". AOL. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  3. ↑ "8th Annual 100 Bands You Need to Know". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Band of the Day Interview
  5. 1 2 Chapman, Jackie, Riding a Rocket, Christianity Today International
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Crain, Zac. "Teenage love rock". Dallas Observer. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Apart, Corey, All Music Guide: The Early Years EP, AllMusic, retrieved March 14, 2010
  8. ↑ Loftus, Johnny, The Rocket Summer Biography, Allmusic, retrieved March 13, 2010
  9. 1 2 3 All Music Guide: Calendar Days, AllMusic, retrieved March 14, 2010
  10. ↑ MTV: The Rocket Summer Biography, MTV, retrieved March 13, 2010
  11. ↑ All Music Guide: Hello, Good Friend, AllMusic, retrieved March 14, 2010
  12. ↑ Billboard Charts: Hello, Good Friend, Billboard, retrieved March 14, 2010
  13. 1 2 Freedman, Pete, The Rocket Summer Tries Growing Up, Dallas Observer, retrieved March 14, 2010
  14. ↑ Billboard Chart History: Do You Feel, Billboard, retrieved March 14, 2010
  15. ↑ Review: Do You Feel, Alternative Press
  16. 1 2 The Rocket Summer Returns with You Gotta Believe, Jesusfreakhideout.com, retrieved March 14, 2010
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 All Music Guide: Of Men and Angels, AllMusic, retrieved March 14, 2010
  18. 1 2 3 The Rocket Summer -"Of Men and Angels"- In the studio – Episode 2
  19. 1 2 News Collection Week of 12/13, HM Magazine
  20. 1 2 3 4 The Hope of The Rocket Summer, Relevant Magazine, retrieved March 14, 2010
  21. ↑ All Music Guide: You Gotta Believe EP, AllMusic, retrieved March 14, 2010
  22. ↑ Billboard Charts: You Gotta Believe EP, Billboard, retrieved March 13, 2010
  23. ↑ You Gotta Believe Official Video
  24. ↑ Video Interview of The Rocket Summer, CBN, retrieved March 11, 2010
  25. ↑ FOX Good Day Performance
  26. 1 2 TRS.com Press Release
  27. ↑ Ten Artists to Watch in 2010, Shred News, March 12, 2010
  28. ↑ Tim Karan, Exclusive: The Rocket Summer to release B-Sides EP on Oct. 19, Alt Press, retrieved December 28, 2010
  29. ↑ David Archuleta's 'The Other Side of Down': A track-by-track review, USA Today, October 5, 2010, retrieved December 28, 2010
  30. ↑ "The Rocket Summer release "200,000" music video".
  31. ↑ Martinez, Adrian, Do You Feel Review, Titletrakk.com, retrieved March 13, 2010
  32. ↑ Crowder, Kelsey, The Rocket Summer's Album Impresses, The Tack, retrieved March 13, 2010
  33. ↑ "Bryce Avary from Rocket Summer came to the Dallas Rescue". YouTube. April 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  34. ↑ "Invisible Children Presents [+] The Rescue". Therescue.invisiblechildren.com. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  35. ↑ http://www.howitends.tv/ How It Ends
  36. ↑ "Bryce Avary To Perform At Invisible Children's "How It Ends" Event – News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  37. 1 2 Official Call It Captivate Website
  38. ↑ http://hello-somebody.com/music/
  39. 1 2 3 "New Interview: The Rocket Summer Blasts Off (video)". MTV. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  40. ↑ Simon, Leslie. "New Interview: The Rocket Summer Blasts Off". MTV. Retrieved March 8, 2010.

External links

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