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Biography (courtesy of S/R/E Records)

The idea of a "roaring lamb," otherwise known as a Christian who leaves an indelible impact on culture, is referenced on many occasions and tagged to numerous artists. But out of the current crop of musicians, perhaps none is more dedicated to embracing this concept than singer/songwriter Bryce Avary, best known to fans under the alias The Rocket Summer. The alternative rocker has released a pair of records on the Sony distributed The Militia Group (Calendar Days and the brand new Hello, Good Friend), while staying incredibly active in the mainstream concert circuit and amassing amazing press reviews.

From break through radio play back home on Dallas' leading radio station KDGE, to kudos in The Dallas Observer and HITS magazine, to jaw dropping performances during Austin's acclaimed SxSW Festival and Japan's Summer Sonic Festival, The Rocket Summer has achieved an incredibly effective blast off. And after time on the road with the likes of Something Corporate, Ash, Copeland, Recover, The Format, Relient K, Mae and Maritime, Avary's seen fan attendance multiply exponentially.

"It's awesome to see how the response has been and I'm trying the best I can to be Christ-like in the process," relays the 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist. "I've been involved with bands growing up, but I could feel that things were going to happen with The Rocket Summer because God really laid it on my heart, even if it's not necessarily in the Christian market."

Much of the attraction point for all audiences stems from the sheer sincerity, and passion that overflows from Avary. Like his lifelong Christian walk, the 22 year old has demonstrated fervency towards all things musical for as long as he can remember, teaching himself how to play drums and guitar by age 12, followed by bass and eventually piano. Aside from banging away in his room or garage, Avary also joined the high school band and explored several other artistic options with his friends.

"I've been obsessed my whole life with music so I taught myself how to play several instruments," he confirms. "When one of my friends taught me my first power chord, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world! Then came everything else, and by the time I was 16 preparing for my first full length record, piano came into the picture."

After borrowing money from his supportive parents, Avary hit the studio hard resulting in an EP, which ended up on local rock radio and was shopped around to major labels. After The Militia Group yielded the most appropriate proposal, the Texan officially entered into national territory via Calendar Days, exposing his prodigy-like talents and wide array of influences.

"I've listened to so much growing up, some of which comes out in my music, others of which isn't as obvious," Avary offers. "Some of my favorite records growing up were by Weezer and the Smashing Pumpkins, while I'm also really into indie rock stuff like Built to Spill and Superchunk. And there's also the side of me that likes everything from Caedmon's Call to the Dixie Chicks, I'm just in love with good songs."

The results on that official freshman effort, along with the expansive and intricate follow-up Hello, Good Friend (Co-produced by All-American Rejects/Hot Rod Circuit Tim' O'Hier) mirror that melting pot, while still revolving around Avary's stamp of individuality. The latest in particular is an inexplicable onslaught of gliding guitars, pounding pianos, rippling bass lines and peculiar percussion, loaded with hooks and housed under melodic vocal surges. But even more important than the soire of sounds is the spiritually slanted message, which showcases personal observances, emotional friendships and a new found maturity after marrying his high school sweetheart Tara earlier this year.

"This is a way more real record that naturally goes way deeper than when I was a teenager," he reveals of the project, which is also available at Christian retail via S/R/E Records. "I've been through really good things and bad things, and I feel like this record is a product of all that. It's a total step up from everything else I've done. I'm just married too after five and a half years with my girlfriend, so that brings it a whole lot of awesome experiences to the record."

Yet even more explosive is seeing The Rocket Summer on stage, featuring Avary as the figurehead with accompaniment by fellow friend musicians. His connection with the audience is unbreakable and such switch hitting between the vast list of instruments is equally remarkable.

"I'm really proud of the live show and it's full of electricity," verifies Avary, who'll be headlining a summer trek with buzz worthy indie act Gatsby's American Dream. "There's a lot of dancing, confetti explosions, switching around on instruments, to keep the show exciting. I'm just out to try and make it the coolest show in the world, and hopefully at the end of the it, everyone's drenched with sweat and their voices are shot from singing a long."

More than just creating mayhem within a concert environment, Avary hopes to instill meaning on his faithful that reaches far beyond this world. Though he doesn't stick with the typical preaching or altar call mentality (which wouldn't exactly be appropriate in the secular setting) he does make a point use his music as a mouth piece to dive directly into listeners' souls, while witnessing through one on one relationships.

"I want the whole world to know me as a Christian, but in a way that's welcoming and that allows people to see being a Christian in the general market is truly my life's passion," he summarizes. "What I'm trying to do is have a personal relationship with the crowd, hanging out and talking with people one on one and hopefully have the songs speak for themselves. It can be a challenge walking in the world and keeping everything balanced, but I'm trying my hardest to be a light in the darkness."