the original URL of this interview was: http://www.ymexchange.com/Resource-Reviews/Do-You-Feel-with-The-Rocket-Summer.htmlSaint Rock 'N Roll
by: Amy Sondova
Youth Ministry Exchange
early spring 2007
Do You Feel with The Rocket Summer
Bryce Avary, the brains behind The Rocket Summer, released his first album when he was only 16, an EP titled The Rocket Summer. Luckily, the name stuck and Bryce just released his third full length album, Do You Feel on Island Records. YMX caught up with Avary via e-mail to talk about his new album.
YMX: Growing up in Texas, did you see a lot of armadillos and cowboys or is that a common misconception about Texans?
Avary: Well, there's both. Texas is so huge it's like its own country. You can go to certain parts of Texas and its so far from "cowboy" that you would never know you're in Texas. But then there are definitely the western towns.
YMX: You starting rocking out when you in your early teens. Now 24, you're releasing your third full-length album, how'd you get involved in music so early in life?
Avary: I was always obsessed with music growing up. So when I picked up my first guitar I guess i just never really stopped.
YMX: You also play a flurry of musical instruments-which ones?
Avary: I play drums, guitar, piano, bass, and percussive instruments. I had more time when I was younger to learn instruments. One of these days I'm going to take on the challenge again and learn horns or strings. But that probably won’t be until I'm 50 or so.
YMX: Not only do you sing and perform, but you also produce your own albums. Why do you take such an active role in the music process?
Avary: It's so exciting to me, and I guess its the only thing I've really ever known.
YMX: Of course, it's not just you. Who else plays in The Rocket Summer (TRS)?
Avary: Live we are a band and I have some of my best buds in the band with me. Seth Brewton plays guitar, Tommy Quinn plays the drums, and Matt Bergeland plays the bass.
YMX: And, by the way, how did you come up with the name "The Rocket Summer"?
Avary: I was 16 and it was in a book I was reading. Luckily i still love the name!
YMX: Your latest album has been warmly received by TRS fans-how does the album depart from previous recordings?
Avary: It's much "bigger" sounding for one. I spent way more time making sure of that. Lyrically and musically I think it’s just a natural to step up. I feel I had more clarity on what I wanted to do on this record.
YMX: Your van broke down and you have to cancel your Canadian tour, so you sat down and wrote, "A Song is Not a Business Plan", one of the strongest social commentaries on the record. What do you want fans to take away from this song?
Avary: It was more for me to just get it out, the feeling of working for so long to do something original that attempts to bring hope to people. The natural human tendency to sometimes get jealous or annoyed of brand new bands that are in it more for fame than for music or how music business can majorly overshadow music in general was really getting to me sitting on the side of the road getting ripped off by shady mechanics. The song has a positive outlook however of just f ocusing on doing something real and enjoying music no matter what--that is the bottom line.
YMX: The song "Save" is pretty poignant. Sounds like a rough time in your life-what can you tell me about it?
Avary: It’s just an honest song about being a in a sinking ship essentially and God pulling me out when I don't honestly deserve it.
YMX: A lot of your songs are lyrically deep and instrumentally unique-where do you find inspiration for your lyrics?
Avary: I find inspiration from hope. I went through some seriously dark times and felt like I was literally just pulled out of it in a supernatural way and I love to sing about that.
YMX: Also, who are some of your musical influences?
Avary: Oh man, I love music in general. Anything from Built to Spill to Michael Jackson.
YMX: You have some pretty funky merchandise with shirt designs that are fairly creative. Do you help with those as well? I personally like the Moose hoodie complete with antlers on the hood.
Avary: Haha, thanks! I help out with it, but we have some very talented friends who come up with a lot of the ideas.
YMX: One last question! I noticed that you've chosen to partner with InvisibleChildren and To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA.) We here at YMX have covered the issues of cutting/self-injury in both girls and guys and plan to do a piece on Invisible Children in the near future. Why did you choose to highlight these two ministries with your influence?
Avary: I feel that it's really important to lift others up in life, and it's a huge reason I feel that we're even here. So it’s a pretty natural thing for us to want to get involved in things like this. We know TWLOHA well and I saw the Invisible Children DVD and it wrecked me so it was an easy decision to try to help spread the word.
For more information on The Rocket Summer, check them out online at http://www.therocketsummer.com. Also,check out Invisible Children (http://www.invisiblechidlren.com) and To Wrote Love on Her Arms (http://www.twloha.com.)