The Rocket Summer

The Rocket Summer is the alternative rock 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.

Inspired by bands like Archers Of Loaf, Jets To Brazil and Superchunk,[1] he has released four studio albums and several EPs. His most recent release, Of Men and Angels, held the #1 Top Album spot on iTunes upon its release on February 23, 2010.[2] In April 2008, AP Magazine called him one of "100 bands you need to know."Avary was born on December 31, 1982, in Colleyville, 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] He also picked up saxophone by playing one his father had had since his high school band days.[5]

Avary joined his first band, at the age of 14.[6] He later joined a high school "indie rock punk" band 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.Personal life

As a kid, 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.[44]

Avary attended Colleyville Middle School in Colleyville, TX, where musician and singer-songwriter Norah Jones also attended.[45] Also coming from his immediate hometown area in Texas has been Kelly Clarkson and Selena Gomez.[45]

Avary later attended Grapevine High School where he formed his own dodgeball team named The Bombardment Society, inspired by Wes Anderson's film Rushmore.[6][46] The team became the high school's largest organization at the time of his attendance.[44] Prior to launching his music career as The Rocket Summer, Avary formerly worked as a Starbucks barista for four months—an experience that inspired him to write the song "This is Me" off of his album Calendar Days.[44]

In 2005, Avary married his longtime girlfriend Tara, whom he has known since high school.[1] Tara now serves as his business manager and handles his merchandise, including at shows.

 Studio albums

    * Calendar Days (2003)
    * Hello, Good Friend (2005)
    * Do You Feel (2007)
    * Of Men and Angels (2010)
 EPs

    * The Rocket Summer (EP) (2000)
    * The Early Years EP (2006)
    * iTunes EP (2007)
    * You Gotta Believe (2009)
    * Of Men And Angels: B-Sides (2010)