Daphne Loves Derby | Main

For Daphne Loves Derby, the internet isn't just a place where people have heated e-arguments and download naughty pictures, it's the place where bands are formed, fan bases are cultivated and stars are born. This young indie-rock outfit got its start in 2002 when 18-year-old bassist/vocalist Jason Call instant-messaged 20-year-old lead vocalist and guitarist Kenny Choi after seeing him perform with another band. After adding drummer Stu Clay to the mix, the group started gigging in their hometown of Kent, Washington, and developing a small following. But they would find that they would find real fame via cyberspace. They posted their polished home demos on websites and were amazed as their tracks rapidly approached the million-download mark. This led to Daohne Loves Derby--a band with no record label and no radio hit--consistently selling out 300-500 capacity venues.

Their buzz got them the attention of more than a few labels, and they finally settled upon Colorado-based Outlook Music. The group's first full-length album, On the Strength of All Convinced, runs the gamut from piano ballads ("Sundays") to Casio-inspired pop ("Hammers and Hearts") to complex, melodic hard rock with symphonic overtones ("What We Have Been Waiting For"). On the Strength of All Convinced was released in summer of 2005.