{{Short description|Solo project of American singer-songwriter Bryce Avary}} {{For|the [[Ray Bradbury]] short story|The Martian Chronicles}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = The Rocket Summer |image = Bryce The Rocket Summer.jpg |image_size = |caption = The Rocket Summer in 2008 |background = solo_singer |origin = [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Fort Worth]], Texas, United States |instrument = |genre = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[indie rock]]|[[pop-punk]]|[[pop rock]]|[[power pop]]|[[emo pop]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-rocket-summer-mn0000484751|title=The Rocket Summer Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More|website=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>}} |occupation = |years_active = 1999–present |label = {{hlist|[[The Militia Group]]|[[Island Records|Island]]|Aviate}} |website = [http://www.therocketsummer.com/ www.therocketsummer.com] |current_members = Bryce Avary }}
'''The Rocket Summer''' is the solo project of Bryce Avary, a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and record producer based in [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas]].
He has released eight studio albums and several [[extended play|EPs]]. His fifth release, 2012's ''[[Life Will Write the Words]]'', reached No. 58 on The [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and No. 12 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums chart as well as No. 12 on Top Independent Albums chart.<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/search/artists/the+rocket+summer|title=Artist Search for "the rocket summer"|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=April 24, 2018}}</ref> His fourth release, ''[[Of Men and Angels]]'', held the No. 1 Top Album spot on iTunes upon its release in 2010.<ref name="jsyk-interview">{{cite web |last= Iasimone |first=Ashley |title=Exclusive JSYK Interview |url=http://www.jsyk.com/2010/02/24/exclusive-interview-with-the-rocket-summers-bryce-avary |publisher=[[AOL]] |access-date=March 8, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|AP Magazine]]'' called him one of "100 bands you need to know."<ref name="APMag237">{{cite magazine |title=8th Annual 100 Bands You Need to Know |url=http://altpress.com/apmag/237.htm |magazine=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]] |access-date=March 8, 2010}}</ref>
==Early life and 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.<ref name="Band of the Day">{{citation |title=Band of the Day Interview |url=http://www.bandoftheday.com/TheRocketSummer/interview.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310232439/http://www.bandoftheday.com/TheRocketSummer/interview.html |archive-date=March 10, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="TheFish">{{citation|last=Chapman |first=Jackie |title=Riding a Rocket |url=http://www.thefish.com/music/interviews/11617975/ |publisher=Christianity Today International}}</ref> Avary subsequently began teaching himself other instruments including the drums and piano.<ref name="Band of the Day" />
Avary joined his first band at the age of 14.<ref name="Dallas Observer">{{cite news |first=Zac |last=Crain |title=Teenage love rock |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2000-05-04/music/teenage-love-rock/ |newspaper=[[Dallas Observer]] |access-date=March 8, 2010}}</ref> He later joined a high school "[[indie rock]] [[Punk rock|punk]]" band at [[Grapevine High School]] where he was also a photographer of the school's yearbook,<ref name="Dallas Observer" /> inspired by [[Pavement (band)|Pavement]], [[Archers of Loaf]] and [[Weezer]], called Charlie 27.<ref name="Dallas Observer" /> After the band broke up, Avary began performing local acoustic shows as a teenager in [[Dallas]], [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] and [[Denton, Texas|Denton]].<ref name="Dallas Observer" />
==Music career== ===2000–2003: Self-titled EP=== In 2000, Avary self-released his first EP at the age of 17.<ref name="AMG The Early Years">{{citation|last=Apart |first=Corey |title=All Music Guide: The Early Years EP |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r932214|pure_url=yes}} |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> The EP included songs he had written between the ages of 14 and 16.<ref name="AMG The Early Years" /> 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.<ref name="Band of the Day"/> Avary described the project as initially "just a really fun experiment."<ref name="Band of the Day" /> 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.<ref name="AMG The Early Years" /><ref name="AllMusic Bio">{{citation|last=Loftus |first=Johnny |title=The Rocket Summer Biography |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the rocket summer|chart=all}} |publisher=Allmusic |access-date=March 13, 2010}}</ref>
His music appeared on The Adventure Club (with [[Josh Venable]]) segment of the [[KDGE]] radio station, and quickly became the most requested local band on the program that year.<ref name="Dallas Observer" />
===2003–2005: ''Calendar Days'' and ''Hello, Good Friend''=== Avary recorded, produced, and released his debut album, ''[[Calendar Days]]'', in 2003.<ref name="AllMusic Calendar Days">{{citation|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r627522|pure_url=yes}} |title=All Music Guide: Calendar Days |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> The album was recorded in [[Eudora, Kansas]].<ref name="MTV Full Bio">{{citation|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rocket_summer/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060416131107/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rocket_summer/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 16, 2006 |title=MTV: The Rocket Summer Biography |publisher=MTV |access-date=March 13, 2010}}</ref>
In November 2004, Avary began working on his second album, ''[[Hello, Good Friend]]''.<ref name="AMG Hello Good Friend">{{citation|title=All Music Guide: Hello, Good Friend |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r740868|pure_url=yes}} |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> The album peaked at No. 26 on the [[Billboard Heatseekers]] chart.<ref name="Billboard HGF">{{citation|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the rocket summer|chart=all}} |title=Billboard Charts: Hello, Good Friend |publisher=Billboard |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> 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'',<ref name="AMG The Early Years" /> and Avary signed with major record label [[Island Def Jam Records]]. ''[[Do You Feel]]'' was released in July 2007;<ref name="DO-TRS Grows Up">{{citation|last=Freedman |first=Pete |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2010-02-25/music/rocket-man/ |title=The Rocket Summer Tries Growing Up |publisher=[[Dallas Observer]] |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> the album reached No. 44 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and No. 16 on the [[Top Rock Albums|Billboard Top Rock Albums]] charts.<ref name="Billboard DYF">{{citation|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the rocket summer|chart=all}} |title=Billboard Chart History: Do You Feel |publisher=Billboard |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref>
The album's lead single, "So Much Love", was warmly received by critics for its uniqueness and use of a horn section.<ref>{{citation|url=http://altpress.com/reviews/875.htm |title=Review: Do You Feel |publisher=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name="JFH-YGB">{{citation|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/10/08.The%20Rocket%20Summer%20Returns%20with%20You%20Gotta%20Believe%20EP.asp |title=The Rocket Summer Returns with You Gotta Believe |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> 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]], Forrest Kline of [[Hellogoodbye]] and Alex Gaskarth of [[All Time Low]].<ref name="JFH-YGB" />
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.<ref name="AMG OMAA">{{citation |title=All Music Guide: Of Men and Angels |url=http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/features/20713-the-hope-of-the-rocket-summer |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 14, 2010 |archive-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306175029/http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/features/20713-the-hope-of-the-rocket-summer }}</ref><ref name="ytvideo2">{{citation|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79obFTHV0BI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/79obFTHV0BI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Rocket Summer -"Of Men and Angels"- In the studio – Episode 2|date=October 23, 2009 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Mixed with [[Neal Avron]] and engineered / co-produced with CJ Eiriksson,<ref name="ytvideo2" /><ref name="hmmag" /> Avary described the album as "the most substance-filled Rocket Summer album to date."<ref name="ytvideo2" /><ref name="Relevant Magazine">{{citation |title=The Hope of The Rocket Summer |url=http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/features/20713-the-hope-of-the-rocket-summer |publisher=Relevant Magazine |access-date=March 14, 2010 |archive-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306175029/http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/features/20713-the-hope-of-the-rocket-summer }}</ref> The Rocket Summer released a digital 4-track EP entitled ''[[You Gotta Believe (The Rocket Summer album)|You Gotta Believe]]'' in October 2009. The EP featured three tracks off the [[LP album|LP]] ''[[Of Men and Angels]]'' and one bonus track. The EP debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard charts for [[Top Digital Albums|Digital Albums]].<ref name="Billboard YGB">{{citation|title=Billboard Charts: You Gotta Believe EP |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the rocket summer|chart=all}} |publisher=Billboard |access-date=March 13, 2010}}</ref> The video for the title song was directed by director Randy Scott Slavin.<ref name="hmmag">{{citation |publisher=HM Magazine |url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/2009/12/news-collection-week-of-12-13/ |title=News Collection Week of 12/13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610164340/http://www.hmmagazine.com/2009/12/news-collection-week-of-12-13/ |archive-date=June 10, 2011 }}</ref>
On February 23, 2010, The Rocket Summer released his fourth studio album, '[[Of Men and Angels]] on [[Island Def Jam]].<ref name="AMG OMAA" /> 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.<ref name="jsyk-interview" /><ref name="CBN">{{citation|title=Video Interview of The Rocket Summer |url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/February/Rocket-Summers-New-Album-Goes-No-1-on-ITunes-/?WT.mc_id=EmbedNewsPlayer |publisher=[[Christian Broadcasting Network|CBN]] |access-date=March 11, 2010}}</ref> To promote the new album, Avary performed the album's lead single "Walls" on [[KDFW]]'s ''Good Day Dallas'' and [[KTBC (TV)|KTBC]]'s ''Good Day Austin''.<ref name="FOXGoodDay">{{cite web |url=http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/good_day/the-rocket-summer-performs-on-good-day |title=The Rocket Summer Performs on Good Day |access-date=March 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228220228/http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/good_day/the-rocket-summer-performs-on-good-day |archive-date=February 28, 2010 }}</ref> The Rocket Summer toured with [[OneRepublic]], [[Goo Goo Dolls]] and the 16th annual [[Vans Warped Tour]] in promotion of the record.<ref name="OM&A">{{cite web |url=http://therocketsummer.com/news_d.aspx?nid=6267 |title=The Rocket Summer Official Website :: News |access-date=March 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002132009/http://www.therocketsummer.com/news_d.aspx?nid=6267 |archive-date=October 2, 2010 }}</ref> On October 19, 2010, The Rocket Summer released a five-song digital-only EP, entitled ''[[Of Men and Angels: B-Sides]]''.<ref name="ofma-bsides">{{citation|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/exclusive_the_rocket_summer_to_release_b-sides_ep_on_oct._19/ |title=Exclusive: The Rocket Summer to release B-Sides EP on Oct. 19 |author=Tim Karan |publisher=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alt Press]] |access-date=December 28, 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref name="arculeta">{{citation|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/10/david-archuletas-the-other-side-of-down-track-by-track/1 |title=David Archuleta's 'The Other Side of Down': A track-by-track review |publisher=[[USA Today]] |access-date=December 28, 2010 |date=October 5, 2010}}</ref>
===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 (magazine)|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.<ref name="AllMusic"/> Soon after releasing the album, the music video "200,000" debuted on [[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]].<ref name="Alternative Press">{{cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/the_rocket_summer_release_200000_music_video |title=The Rocket Summer release "200,000" music video - Alternative Press |website=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |access-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414044419/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/the_rocket_summer_release_200000_music_video |archive-date=April 14, 2013 }}</ref>
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.
===2015–2018: ''Zoetic, Do You Feel'' 10 Year Anniversary'', Gone Too Long single''=== Avary's sixth full-length album ''[[Zoetic]]'' released on February 26, 2016. The album has received the most favorable reviews to date. Alternative Press magazine gave the album 4.5 of 5 stars stating "the album proves true to its namesake by roaring to life with unyielding passion, authenticity and a whole lot of guitars." A music video was shot for the first single "Same Air" which features ''[[New Girl]]'' actress, [[Hannah Simone]]. New Noise Magazine writes "This is undoubtedly The Rocket Summer's best release, and it's an album that no one expected." HM Magazine states "The intimacy of his performances is impossible to shake, and with a new record that will no doubt be labeled his boldest, Zoetic's bravery will go down in history." Paste Magazine wrote "The Rocket Summer's new album Zoetic proves Bryce a master at creating catchy, upbeat anthems."
The Rocket Summer performed a DJ set at Emo Nite in Los Angeles in December 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Emo Nite Two Year Anniversary Celebration | publisher= FSHN | url=http://www.fshnmagazine.com/emo-nite-two-year-anniversary-celebration/}}</ref>
In the summer of 2017, The Rocket Summer celebrated the 10 Year Anniversary of the album, ''Do You Feel'' which included a first time release of the album on vinyl and a headlining tour of North America and the UK. The vinyl album debuted #20 on the [[Billboard charts|Billboard]] Vinyl Album Charts upon its release in June.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Rocket Summer Do You Feel Chart History|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-rocket-summer/chart-history/vnl/|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>
On July 7, Avary released a new song titled, ''Gone Too Long.'' [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] writes "the new track proves he is just as much of a force as ever. With a guitar-driven melody and impassioned lyrics, the one-man band is in top form in a song that will easily fit with the alt-pop tendencies of staples like "So Much Love" and "You Gotta Believe."<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Rocket Summer Marks 'Do You Feel' Anniversary With New Song, Tour: Exclusive|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/rocket-summer-do-you-feel-tenth-anniversary-new-song-tour-7857919/|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> The track was released digitally and on a limited edition cassette tape which included an acoustic version of ''FL, CA'', and was later included on ''Bee Sides: Select Rarities 2015-2020''.
In the summer of 2018, The Rocket Summer went on an 26 city acoustic tour, supporting [[Sleeping with Sirens]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Instagram post from Bryce Avary. |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BjsYQZwHIyV/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BjsYQZwHIyV |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Avary co-wrote, co-produced, and performed with Sleeping with Sirens on a single called "Another Day", released on July 6, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Instagram post from Bryce Avary |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk5kR8zDre9/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/Bk5kR8zDre9 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
=== 2019 - 2022: ''Sweet Shivers'', B.A.treon Fun Club, ''Bee Sides: Select Rarities 2015-2020'' === ''Sweet Shivers'', the seventh studio album by The Rocket Summer, was released on August 2, 2019. The album release was followed by "The Rocket Summer US Tour 2019", beginning on September 10, 2019 and ending on October 19, 2019. Supporting acts included [[Royal Teeth]], Mike Mains and The Branches, and Katelyn Tarver.<ref>{{cite web |title=August 26, 2019 Instagram post from Bryce Avary |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ouY5nJqgO/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B1ouY5nJqgO |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The first single from the album, "Shatter Us", was released on May 24, 2019. Billboard Magazine stated "Sweet Shivers really is just the beginning."<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=How The Rocket Summer Found a New Perspective on 'Sweet Shivers': Album Premiere|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/the-rocket-summer-sweet-shivers-album-stream-8525575/|access-date=2021-02-08|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref>
On September 4, 2019, Avary launched the B.A.treon Fun Club through [[Patreon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=September 4, 2019 Instagram post from Bryce Avary |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B1_vrodJnw-/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B1_vrodJnw- |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Initial monthly perks for Fun Club subscribers included 2 unreleased tracks, "q & a hangs", occasional dissection of songs and mixes, merch and tour discounts, livestream music listening parties, and online livestream mini shows from Bryce's studio. Different perks and subscription tiers were introduced on July 13, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=July 13, 2020 Instagram post from Bryce Avary |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CClqb6WJFbq/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CClqb6WJFbq |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
On October 27, 2020, Avary announced a new album, ''Bee Sides: Select Rarities 2015-2020'', to be released on November 13, 2020, containing 14 tracks. 11 of the 14 tracks had been previously released in the Fun Club. The announcement included a vinyl pre-order.<ref>{{cite web |title=October 27, 2020 Instagram post from Bryce Avary |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CG2gjdHpsbz/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CG2gjdHpsbz |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
The Fun Club would go on what was believed to be a temporary pause beginning in March 2021, yet, as of 2023, the Club has remained defunct with the exception of two separate one-off months.
A new single, "M4U", debuted digitally on November 18, 2022, and was followed by both a music video and [[cassingle]] release. The cassingle included a remixed version of the song, exclusive to the cassingle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiggins |first=Keavin |date=2022-11-21 |title=The Rocket Summer Returns With 'M4U' |url=https://www.antimusic.com/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=antiMusic.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== 2023 - Current: ''Shadowkasters'' and ''Calendar Days'' 20th Anniversary === A second single, "Stuck Inside Your Light", was digitally released on January 20, 2023 and its release was accompanied by a music video.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-20 |title=The Rocket Summer Stuck Inside Your Light |url=https://preludepress.com/news/2023/01/20/the-rocket-summer-stuck-inside-your-light/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>
On March 21, 2023, it was announced The Rocket Summer's eighth studio album, ''Shadowkasters'', would be released on May 12, 2023 and feature 11 tracks. A pre-order was launched the same day, to include vinyl variants, glow-in-the-dark cassettes, CDs, pins, hoodies, and shirts. Avary, "A lot of this album has been done for quite some time and was made during the isolation period of the pandemic, so it's almost like a compilation album of songs recorded over a couple of years that I felt made sense together in a sequence... Still, there was a different energy that fueled many of these songs that came from seeking joy by way of discovering, manipulating, and getting lost in new sounds because I was simply alone for so much of it. It is by far the most instrumentally nuanced album I've ever made."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-21 |title=The Rocket Summer SHADOWKASTERS |url=https://preludepress.com/news/2023/03/21/the-rocket-summer-shadowkasters-announcement/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |language=en-US}}</ref> Recent singles "M4U" and "Stuck Inside Your Light" will be part of the album, and a third single, "Sing At The Top" would be released on March 24, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reybee |date=2023-03-21 |title=The Rocket Summer Announces New Album Shadowkasters |url=https://www.antimusic.com/news/the_rocket_summer_announces_new_album_shadowkasters-032123/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=antiMusic.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
In November 2023, Avary announced he would be embarking on a 20th anniversary headlining tour of ''Calendar Days'' in early 2024. Avary, "Celebrating 20+ years of The Rocket Summer by performing my first full-length album ''[C]alendar [D]ays'' in its entirety, as well as an additional set of songs from every album to date... [T]he album will indeed officially be 21 by the first show kick off, so I suppose it's technically more like a raging 21st birthday party night after night."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Czoa8n8L9Hd/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> For the last show of the tour, in Dallas, a few members of Avary's younger sister's middle school choir who sang the background vocals on "What We Hate, We Make" joined him on stage for the song.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C4_BdeYLsJT/?hl=en&img_index=2 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> A vinyl re-release of the album was made available prior to the tour and for sale during the tour.
A new single, "Don't Be Yourself", was digitally released on February 23, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=EIN Presswire |date=2024-03-06 |title=HIP Video Promo Presents: The Rocket Summer premieres new lyric video "Don't Be Yourself" on Music-News.com |url=https://kfor.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/693913197/hip-video-promo-presents-the-rocket-summer-premieres-new-lyric-video-dont-be-yourself-on-music-news-com/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |work=KFOR |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Musical style and influence== Often labeled as [[indie rock]] and [[power pop]]<ref name="AllMusic Calendar Days" /><ref name="TitleTrakk">{{citation|last=Martinez |first=Adrian |url=http://www.titletrakk.com/album-cd-reviews/do-you-feel-review-rocket-summer.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717063541/http://www.titletrakk.com/album-cd-reviews/do-you-feel-review-rocket-summer.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |title=Do You Feel Review |publisher=Titletrakk.com |access-date=March 13, 2010}}</ref> with emphasis on Avary's distinctive vocals and instrumental diversity.<ref name="AMG OMAA" />
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."<ref name="AllMusic Calendar Days" /> The Rocket Summer's music is marked by his use of guitar, piano, bass, percussion, and melodic hooks.<ref name="TheFish" />
==Discography== {{Main|The Rocket Summer discography}}
===Studio albums=== * ''[[Calendar Days]]'' (2003) * ''[[Hello, Good Friend]]'' (2005) * ''[[Do You Feel]]'' (2007) * ''[[Of Men and Angels]]'' (2010) * ''[[Life Will Write The Words]]'' (2012) * ''[[Zoetic]]'' (2016) * ''Sweet Shivers'' (2019) * ''Shadowkasters'' (2023)
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}<!--added above External links/Sources by script-assisted edit-->
== External links == * [http://therocketsummer.com/ The Rocket Summer's Official Site]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rocket Summer, The}} [[Category:1982 births]] [[Category:American indie rock musicians]] [[Category:American alternative rock singers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Musicians from Dallas]] [[Category:People from Colleyville, Texas]] [[Category:Music of Denton, Texas]] [[Category:21st-century American singers]] [[Category:21st-century American male singers]]