Combining a bit of Brit-pop's feel with good old American rock & roll, Chicago's powerful Absentstar landed their major-label deal the old-fashioned way: by releasing their own album and then playing any and every gig they could. With a trail of broken-up bands behind them, Derek Ingersoll (vocals), Andy Dixon (guitars), Marshall Hanbury, Jr. (guitars), Noel Arnim (bass), and Heath Hamilton (drums) came together as Absentstar in 2005. All the members were soon convinced that this new band was going to go farther, so they partnered with producer C.S. Gladfelter and recorded their debut album, To All That Buy In, that first year. Constant touring to promote the album and playing numerous showcases and music conferences eventually led them to the major labels. They first worked with RCA before shifting to Sony's new imprint Canvasback. In 2007, the label brought in producer Dan Wilson to record their sophomore effort, Sea Trials. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi
