PUP ON THE RISE: RIVAL SUMMERS
Just three weeks before graduating from high school, Leo Bautista took the stage last Wednesday at the Pike Room in Pontiac, MI, just minutes from his hometown of Sterling Heights. Familiar territory for Bautista as he’s been making a name for himself in the Michigan music scene over the past three years, opening for the likes of We The Kings, A Rocket To The Moon, We Are The In Crowd, and Craig Owens. This night, Leo landed the opening spot on Secondhand Serenade’s headlining tour, possibly the most fitting show to date for the acoustic pop act Leo portrays known to many as Rival Summers.
Moments after his short performance, the Rival Summers merch table was surrounded by fans that were taken back by his energetic and charismatic performance. Almost every song incorporated fan involvement as there were multiple times that Leo was able to step away from the mic and have the venue sing his songs back to him. Not even graduated from high school, and he’s already a pro at this.
If you were to ask Leo what Rival Summers sounds like, he would tell you that it’s, “legit acoustic pop music,” which couldn’t be closer to the truth. Think youthful and cute like Never Shout Never, but mix it with Dashboard Confessional to find a happy medium of maturity. If you were to ask my mom, she’d say he sounds just like Holiday Parade or Dave Melillo. Either way, you’ll come to find that Leo is a guy with a good head on his shoulders, making the music he loves, and is headed in the right direction.
Since Rival Summers began, there has been several releases, which are all availble on iTunes, including: Ready When You Are, his debut full-length which he recorded with Mike Govaere (formerly of Every Avenue), The Blankets & Sheets EP which he recorded with Chase Coy, and most recently, his strongest release yet, Days Like This. Each album feature stories from Leo’s life with lyrics that will make you want to hold your loved one closer. He takes an optimistic approach at love and heartbreak, as while he may be down at times, he’s not out. Other times, he’s on top of the world, and he’s letting you know it.
You can catch Rival Summers on tour this summer, with Chase Coy and Somersault Sunday. From there you can expect much more from Rival Summers as it’s only a matter of time before he expands and makes his mark on the scene. You can check out an interview with Leo below and a performance of his song “Jenna’s Song.”
Why You Should Listen To Him: He’s a genuine guy making genuine music. You’ll also probably be able to pick up chicks if you sing his songs to them.
Sounds Like: Dashboard Confessional, The Scene Aesthetic, Holiday Parade
Check Him Out On: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, iTunes
Check out Rival Summers on tour this Summer:
»Apr. 30 @ 1:36AM | 38 notesJune 10 - The ES Jungle - Indianapolis, IN
June 11 - Boney Junes - Evansville IN
June 12 - Mad Hatter - Covington, KY
June 13 - Amps & Ramps - Cookeville, TN
June 14 - Swayzes - Marietta, GA
June 15 - Vol 11 Tavern - Raleigh, NC
June 16 - Co-Lab - Savannah, GA
June 17 - Jack Rabbits - Jacksonville, FL
June 18 - Orlando, FL
June 19 - Orpheum - Tampa FL
June 20 - The Grunge - Pensecola, FL
June 22 - Downtown Music Hall - Little Rock, AR
June 23 - The Lemon Drop - Springfield, MO
June 24 - The Refuge - Kansas City, MO
June 25 - The Commons - Omaha, NE
June 27 - Des Moines, IA
June 28 - The Beat - Minneapolis, MN
June 29 - The Rock Room - Barrington, IL
