By The Rocket Summer, 2007

At only 16 years old, Bryce Avary put out a self-titled EP as "The Rocket Summer". Local radio shows started playing tracks from the album. Two more records, Calendar Days and Hello, Good Friend followed, along with the fans, who sing along to every word of every song. Soon, Avary found himself headlining mid-size concert halls. Do You Feel, his first major label release with Island Def Jam, is similar to his previous work in that he wrote and performed the entire album himself. Co-Produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Jack's Mannequin), it is also possibly the most energetic and upbeat album you'll hear all year. Do You Feel is full of guitar-fueled power pop, piano-laced ballads and big, big choruses. The horn-driven "So Much Love," the first single, marks a bit of a departure, and one of the rare times Avary collaborated with other musicians. "There's a common theme on this record," says Avary, wanting to do greater things for the world, and not just trying to be a rock-'n'roll star. I think we all have that desire but our issues and daily life get in the way. These songs are about trying to overcome that."

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