Essentially the solo vehicle for Texas singer/songwriter Bryce Avary, the Rocket Summer has garnered a loyal following playing lyrical, positive-minded emo-pop. Emerging in the early 2000s and drawing upon a variety of influences, from the alt-rock of Radiohead to the sci-fi writing of Ray Bradbury and Avary's own Christian faith, the band has issued a stream of well-received albums like 2003's Calendar Days, 2010's Top 40 Billboard 200-charting Of Men and Angels, and 2016's expansive Zoetic on Avary's own Aviate label. 

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Bryce Avary first started playing guitar around age 12 and later played in an indie/punk band in his teens inspired by groups like Pavement, Weezer, and Radiohead. By the time he left high school, he was gaining attention for his emotive solo acoustic performances, a sound that informed his two initial EPs as the Rocket Summer. Avary signed with the Militia Group in 2002 and released the Calendar Days LP. It found him playing every instrument on the album, and showcased his lush, layered, and exuberant sound that blended alt-rock and emo influences with references to his Christian faith. 

The Tim O'Heir-produced Hello, Good Friend followed in 2005. By that time, the Rocket Summer had gained a reputation not only for Avary's multi-threat talent in the studio but for his and his band's energetic live shows. Militia reissued his first self-titled EP in November 2006, retitling it The Early Years EP; its original 1,000 copies had been sold out since Avary had recorded and released it at age 16 (circa 1999-2000). An EP was issued in early 2007 and, following a move to Island/Def Jam Records, Avary released his third full-length, Do You Feel. 

In 2009, Avary released a four-song EP that featured material that would appear on the band's fourth album. Released in 2010, Of Men and Angels hit the Top 40. The Rocket Summer returned in 2012 with Life Will Write the Words, the first album issued on Avary's Aviate label. Another critical and chart success, it debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Top 200. Aside from the release of a brief Christmas EP in 2013, Avary dedicated himself largely to the creation of his next LP. The Rocket Summer's long-awaited sixth album, Zoetic, was released in late February 2016. A seventh full-length, Sweet Shivers, arrived in 2019 and included the single "Gone Too Long." ~ Johnny Loftus

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