The Texan Musician, THE ROCKET SUMMER Discusses His Newest Album, “Zoetic”, His Upcoming Tour And More!

Originally from Dallas, TX, music virtuoso Bryce Avary (AKA the mastermind of The Rocket Summer) came out to Los Angeles to seek inspiration for his 6th studio album Zoetic, which means “of or relating to life, living and vitality”, which Avary thought was fitting with the new alternative rock direction this album. This collection will be released in just ONE DAY!

The reception to singles off the album have resonated well with audiences, with over 172,000 plays on Spotify!

On the record, Avary recorded and played all the instruments (Guitar, Drums, Keys, etc.) and he also rotates through those instruments during his live performance, which fans will be able to catch when his full length U.S. tour kicks off in March, which will also have FARRO opening (Ex-Paramore member Josh Farro’s newest band).

Dates listed here:

ZOETIC TOUR

March 11 Houston, TX – Walter’s Downtown
March 12 Dallas, TX – The Prophet Bar
March 13 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
March 15 Orlando, FL – The Social
March 17 Atlanta, GA – Vinyl
March 18 Nashville, TN – Exit / In
March 19 Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
March 20 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
March 22 Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at The Fillmore
March 24 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
March 25 Hamden, CT – The Space
March 26 New York City – Marlin Room at Webster Hall
March 28 Buffalo, NY – Waiting Room
March 29 Toronto, ON – Hard Luck Bar
March 31 Akron, OH – Musica
April 01 Pontiac, MI – Pike Room at The Crofoot
April 02 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
April 03 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
April 06 St. Louis, MO – Firebird
April 08 Austin, TX – Barracuda
April 09 Oklahoma City, OK – 89th St. Collective
April 12 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour

May 06 Las Vegas, NV – The Beauty Bar

May 07 Salt Lake City, UT – Club Sound

May 08 Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre

May 10 Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge

May 12 Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room

May 13 San Diego, CA – Quartyard

May 14 Sacramento, CA – The Boardwalk

May 16 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre

May 17 Seattle, WA – Chop Suey

May 19 San Francisco, CA – Bottom Of The Hill

Learn more about the Rocket Summer in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! So, how’s 2016 been treating the band so far? What do you think were some of the highlights of 2015? 

Thanks so much for wanting to talk with me.  2016 has started great. The new album comes out this Feb 26 and we are hitting the road in March. I spent most of 2015 in the studio and so wrapping up this record was a big highlight. We went and played a great show in London as the first show back that was a beautiful feeling and experience.

Can you talk about how Rock Summer first came together? Where did the name come from? What other names were you considering?

I recorded an EP in my friend’s garage when I was 16.  I liked the idea of playing behind the name of something than just my own name so more people would feel a part of it. The name comes from a book by Ray Bradbury called The Marian Chronicles.

In March, you begin your full-length tour. Where are you most excited to play at on this tour?

Literally everywhere. Touring and playing live is like oxygen to me.  I can’t wait to be doing it night after night and hanging out with my fans whom I love so freaking dearly.

Why did you decide to play all the instruments on this record, “Zoetic”? What was the recording process like this record?

I didn’t want to leave any stone un-turned and so I just kept writing songs. In a way, multiple genre’s were coming out.  I just followed the songs and there were a lot of them. I didn’t know where it was headed, if perhaps it would end up even being a side project of sorts. I wanted to experiment with the sounds and the songs and really push myself further than I ever had. So really it came down to logistics of it all. For as ambitious of an album that I knew I wanted to make, for as many songs as I wanted to tackle, and that I knew I simply wanted to figure it out as I went during the recording, it became clear I had to do it myself.  It wasn’t easy but it was a great experience. It allowed me to keep pushing and not be worried about studio time or other people’s time, or the cost of those things. I’ve never considered myself just a guitarist or a pianist or a drummer, I really love all of it really. I’m too ADD for one thing anyway…

The Rocket Summer has toured with some incredible artists. Can you talk about some of those experiences? What ones really stand out to you the most? 

We’ve really been fortunate to open for some great artists and take great artists on tour. Opening for Switchfoot, OneRepublic and the Goo Goo Dolls were really great experiences. “A boy named Goo” was one of the first compact discs I ever purchased as a kid along with Frogstomp by Silverchair so that was a trip to find ourselves on tour with them. I’ve been lucky to take a few artists out as a support who went on to have greater reach such as Paramore.  It’s been cool to be a part of their story along with other artists such as Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff, Sonny Moore and Phantom Planet.

Who are some of your favorite artists? Who would you love to work with in the future?  

I would love to work with Peter Gabriel. Robert Smith is also a favorite… but I’m not sure I’d want to work with him or know him. And it’s totally a selfish thing… I’m sure he’s incredible, but sometimes it’s good just be a fan and not mess with that relationship you have to the music on the records by knowing the artist. Who am I kidding I want to know and work with Robert Smith.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from hearing your songs?  

I hope anyone who listens to my music simply receives life from it.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about the band or your music?

Come hang out with us on the Zoetic tour this March through May in the US!